Patronal Feast of Santa Maria del Lauro

September 2025 in Meta was marked by a somber atmosphere. Celebrations began regularly on September 1st with the enthronement of the patron saint's statue and continued the following day with the traditional candlelight procession from the Basilica to the beach and the mass for sailors, one of the most attended moments of the year in the town of Meta. Immediately after, however, the Pro Loco suspended all secular events until September 4th as a sign of mourning for the tragedy that had struck a couple from Pompeii.

The final part of the festival regained its fullness with Meta Mare in Festa, from September 10th to 12th on the Marina: a gastronomic trail with local restaurateurs, workshops for children, street performers from the Meta Buskers Festival, live production of fior di latte cheese, and musical evenings. On September 12th, the solemn day of the patron saint, the event closed with the show "Cecilia – Danze Orishas" and pyromusical fireworks that illuminated the Gulf of Naples.

September 1st: opening of the novena and enthronement of the patron saint's statue on the high altar of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Lauro. September 2nd: candlelight prayer procession from the Basilica to the beach and holy mass for all seafarers. September 3rd to 4th: secular events suspended by the Pro Loco as a sign of mourning. September 10th: opening of Meta Mare in Festa on the Marina di Meta, with the Gnocchi Kids workshop for little chefs, the children's village, and the roaming performances of the Meta Buskers Festival, with street artists from all over Italy on the seafront. September 11th: tastings, shows, and live production of fior di latte by the Associazione Vico per Cacio, followed by a DJ set by Pio De Nicola with vocals by EMSI Gallo. September 12th: solemn day of the patron saint and grand finale with the international show "Cecilia – Danze Orishas," which intertwines devotion to the Madonna del Lauro with the Afro-Cuban culture of Yemayá, goddess of the sea, followed by the pyromusical show over the gulf.

• Enthronement of the Madonna del Lauro statue (September 1st)
• Candlelight procession and mass for seafarers on the beach (September 2nd)
• Meta Buskers Festival and children's workshops on the seafront (September 10th)
• Live production of fior di latte and DJ set (September 11th)
• "Cecilia – Danze Orishas" show and pyromusical fireworks (September 12th)