Return of the Ceri to the City
On May 3rd, the Ceri descend from Mount Ingino: the prologue to Gubbio's Ceri Festival
About Return of the Ceri
The prologue to the Ceri Festival
The Return of the Ceri to the City is the ceremony that, every May 3rd, symbolically opens the month of the Ceri Festival in Gubbio (Province of Perugia), one of Umbria's most defining traditions. The Ceri are three imposing wooden structures, topped with statues of the saints: Saint Ubaldo (the city's patron saint), Saint George, and Saint Anthony.
The descent from Mount Ingino
Housed for most of the year in the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo, on the summit of Mount Ingino overlooking Gubbio, the Ceri are brought back to the city on May 3rd. After a mass, they are carried on the shoulders along the main roads to the Porta di Sant'Ubaldo, where the Gubbio town band and the drummers await them.
The spins and safekeeping
Once in the city, the Ceri perform the traditional spins: first in the Cloister of the Basilica and then in Piazza Grande, accompanied by the sound of the Campanone. Children participate by sitting on the Ceri during the procession. From that moment on, the Ceri are kept in the Palazzo dei Consoli until May 15th, the day of the actual Festival with the famous race up Mount Ingino.
Return of the Ceri — edition 2026
The Return of the Ceri to the City 2026 took place on Sunday, May 3rd, attracting thousands of Gubbio residents. After the mass officiated by Don Mirko Orsini, the Ceri were carried on shoulders along the main roads to the Porta di Sant'Ubaldo, where the Gubbio town band and the drummers joined them.
Three spins were held in the Basilica's Cloister and three more spins in Piazza Grande, accompanied by the sound of the Campanone, with children sitting on the Ceri during the procession. The Ceri were then housed in the Palazzo dei Consoli awaiting the main Festival on May 15th.
Programme Return of the Ceri 2026
Sunday, May 3, 2026
- Mass in the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo (celebrant Don Mirko Orsini).
- Descent of the Ceri on shoulders along the main roads to the Porta di Sant'Ubaldo, with the town band and drummers.
- Three spins in the Basilica's Cloister.
- Three spins in Piazza Grande, accompanied by the sound of the Campanone.
- Safekeeping of the Ceri in the Palazzo dei Consoli until May 15th.
Towards the Festival
- The 'Capodieci' for 2026: Gabriele Fofi (Brocca), Francesco Spogli (Sant'Ubaldo), Alessandro Lepri (San Giorgio).
- May 15, 2026, 4:30 AM — Awakening of the Drummers, start of the Ceri Festival.
Highlights Return of the Ceri 2026
Prices Return of the Ceri 2026
Practical information — Return of the Ceri
When
May 3rd, with times spread throughout the day.
Where
From the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo on Mount Ingino to Piazza Grande, in the historic center of Gubbio (PG).
Tips
The spins in Piazza Grande are the most spectacular moment: arrive early to find a spot. The actual Ceri Festival race takes place on May 15th.
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Where does it take place — Return of the Ceri
Piazza Grande
Basilica di Sant'Ubaldo, Monte Ingino, 06024 Gubbio