Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Festival
The patronal feast of the "saint of youth" in the Salento region of Lecce
About Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Novoli
The patronal feast of Novoli
In the heart of Salento, just a few kilometers from Lecce, the town of Novoli celebrates its patron saint, Saint Aloysius Gonzaga—venerated as the "saint of youth"—every June. It is one of the most anticipated events in the Province of Lecce: for several days, the streets of the historic center are filled with lights, music, and devotion, as the entire Novoli community gathers around its protector.
Faith and tradition
The religious heart of the festival is the solemn procession of the saint's statue, which travels through the town streets accompanied by religious, civil, and military authorities, along with the sounds of grand brass bands. The celebrations include a preparatory triduum, holy masses, and a tribute at the War Memorial, weaving together spirituality and civic identity passed down through generations.
Music, lights, and shows
Alongside the religious dimension, the festival offers a rich secular program. The stars are the Grand Brass Band Concerts, hosted in the bandstand of Piazza Regina Margherita, complemented by evening musical shows, guest artists, and traditional fireworks. The town's streets light up with artistic Salento-style illuminations, while the sky is colored by the evocative release of hot-air balloons.
The flavors of Salento
Traditional gastronomy is a must: during the festival evenings, you can enjoy cazzateddrhe, the traditional rural Salento flatbreads, and fried pittule, specialties that have always accompanied Novoli's popular celebrations.
A bond that renews itself
The Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Festival is organized by the Festival Committee together with the parish and with the support of the Municipality of Novoli. More than just a patronal feast, it is a moment of community that unites devotion, folklore, and conviviality, capable of attracting visitors and families originally from the town from all over Salento and beyond.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Novoli — edition 2026
The 2026 Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Festival was celebrated in Novoli, in the Province of Lecce, from June 18 to 23, in an edition made particularly solemn by the Aloysian Year: it marked the third centenary of the canonization of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (1726-2026).
The highlight was the solemn procession on Saturday, June 20, with the saint's statue carried through the town streets accompanied by the City of Gioia del Colle Grand Brass Band, fireworks, and the spectacular release of hot-air balloons. On Sunday, June 21, the day of the feast, the solemn concelebrated mass was presided over by Archbishop Luigi Pezzuto. On the secular side, Piazza Regina Margherita hosted brass band concerts, the Salento Party, and, on Monday, June 22, the highly anticipated concert by I Nuovi Angeli.
Programme Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Novoli 2026
Preparatory Triduum — June 17-19
- Reflections on the saint's life with Father Luigi Lezzi, Father Carmelo Simmini, Father Francesco De Matteis, and Father Maurizio Cino
Saturday, June 20
- 8:00 PM — Solemn procession of the Saint Aloysius Gonzaga statue through the town streets, with the participation of religious, civil, and military authorities
- Accompanied by the City of Gioia del Colle Grand Brass Band (Conductor Susanna Pescetti)
- Fireworks and release of hot-air balloons
- Brass band concert in Piazza Regina Margherita
Sunday, June 21 — Day of the Feast
- Holy masses during the morning and tribute at the War Memorial
- 7:00 PM — Solemn concelebrated mass presided over by Archbishop Luigi Pezzuto
- City of Novoli Grand Brass Band (Conductor Antonio Ligori) in Piazza Regina Margherita
- 9:00 PM — Salento Party, musical show with 70s-90s hits
Monday, June 22
- 9:00 PM — I Nuovi Angeli in concert in Piazza Regina Margherita with their 2026 Live Tour
Gastronomy and surroundings
- From June 20 to 22, from 9:00 PM, food stands with cazzateddrhe and fried pittule
- Artistic illuminations in Via Moline, Piazza Aldo Moro, and Piazza Regina Margherita (by the company Illumina'rt of Claudio Fasiello)
- 5th edition of the "Streets in Festival" competition with the "Most Beautiful Street of Novoli 2026" award
Highlights Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Novoli 2026
Prices Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Novoli 2026
Practical information — Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Novoli
How to get there
Novoli is located in the Province of Lecce, in northern Salento. By car, it can be reached via the SS 613 Brindisi-Lecce road and the Lecce ring road. The town is served by the Ferrovie del Sud Est railway station; the reference airport is Brindisi-Casale, approximately 45 km away.
Where and when
Events take place in the historic center and in Piazza Regina Margherita. The festival is held every year in June, coinciding with the liturgical memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (June 21). Free admission to all events.
Contacts
Municipality of Novoli — Piazza Aldo Moro, 73051 Novoli (LE). Tel. +39 0832 711371. Information is also available through the Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Festival Committee of Novoli.
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Where does it take place — Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Novoli
Piazza Regina Margherita
Piazza Regina Margherita, 73051 Novoli