Saint Anne Patronal Festival
Four nights of music, tradition, and fireworks in the heart of Pontinia
About Saint Anne Festival
Pontinia's most beloved festival
The Saint Anne Patronal Festival is the annual event that, at the end of July, brings together the entire community of Pontinia, in the heart of the Agro Pontino, in the Province of Latina. Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, is celebrated on July 26th: around this date, the Municipality of Pontinia curates a four-night program that blends popular devotion, live music, and community spirit. It is the moment when the city, founded in the 1930s following the reclamation of the Pontine Marshes, truly finds its sense of belonging.
Piazza Indipendenza, the city's stage
The heart of the festival is Piazza Indipendenza, the grand rationalist square in front of the town hall, where the main stage is erected. Here, free evening concerts open to everyone take place, featuring renowned names from the Italian music scene. Surrounding the square, the city center streets fill with stalls, festive lights, food stands, and attractions for children, while local bars and cafes stay open late into the night.
Music for all generations
The municipal administration's chosen formula focuses on a deliberately diverse program, designed to appeal to all audiences: gospel choirs, tribute bands dedicated to Italian music legends, revival nights celebrating the 90s and 2000s, and concerts by nationally acclaimed artists. This approach has transformed the patronal feast into a small summer festival that draws visitors from across the entire Pontine plain.
Religious tradition and devotion
Alongside the entertainment, the devotional aspect remains central: liturgical celebrations in the church dedicated to Saint Anne and the procession through the city streets mark the patron saint's day. The traditional Pro Loco lottery, with its prize drawing, remains a staple of the closing night, alongside the fireworks display that illuminates the sky over Pontinia.
Part of the Pontinia Summer
The Saint Anne Festival is the highlight of a broader calendar, the Pontinia Summer, which accompanies the city from June through September with dance school recitals, ballroom dancing, rock and blues festivals, tribute bands, sporting events, and cultural gatherings. The program is the result of collaboration between municipal offices, the Pro Loco, the P.cap (merchants' association), and numerous local organizations.
What to expect
- Free evening concerts in Piazza Indipendenza, usually starting after 9:00 PM
- Fireworks display on the patron saint's day
- Food stalls and street vendors along the city center streets
- Religious celebrations and a procession in honor of Saint Anne
- Pro Loco lottery with a final prize draw
Why it's worth the trip
Visitors arriving in Pontinia during the festival will find the city in a festive, nocturnal mood, offering the authentic atmosphere of a Lazio patronal feast combined with a curated, contemporary musical lineup. It is also an excellent opportunity to discover a territory often overlooked by mainstream tourist circuits: the Circeo National Park, coastal lakes, the Agro Pontino Museum, and the beaches of Sabaudia and Terracina are all just a few kilometers away.
Saint Anne Festival — edition 2026
Saint Anne Festival 2026
The Municipality of Pontinia, in collaboration with the Pro Loco and the P.cap merchants' association, presents four consecutive nights in Piazza Indipendenza for 2026, from July 23rd to 26th. All shows are free to attend.
The event opens on Thursday, July 23rd, with Enjoy the Show, a performance by the Phoenix Gospel Choir. Friday, July 24th, features Idol, the tribute band officially recognized by Achille Lauro. Saturday, July 25th, brings Stereo 90 with Lele Sarallo for a journey through 90s hits. Sunday, July 26th, the day of Saint Anne, marks the grand finale.
Change in the final night's program
Initially announced for July 26th, Cristina D'Avena had to cancel due to unforeseen Rai television scheduling requirements. She will be replaced on the Piazza Indipendenza stage by Cristiano Malgioglio, songwriter of hits for Mina and Raffaella Carrà, with his show Festivalbars — the summer hits live, dedicated to the music of the 90s and 2000s. The substitution was confirmed by the administration led by Mayor Eligio Tombolillo and councilor Maria Rita D'Alessio. The evening concludes with the fireworks display.
More than just Saint Anne
The patronal festival is the heart of the Pontinia Summer 2026, a calendar that continues until September 26th with events such as the motorcycle Ring Joust on July 12th, The Show Must Go On on August 1st, the White Night on August 8th, and the Corri da Marino 3K race closing the season.
Programme Saint Anne Festival 2026
Thursday, July 23rd, 2026
- Phoenix Gospel Choir — "Enjoy the Show", Piazza Indipendenza
Friday, July 24th, 2026
- Idol, tribute band officially recognized by Achille Lauro — Piazza Indipendenza
Saturday, July 25th, 2026
- Stereo 90 with Lele Sarallo — 90s hits, Piazza Indipendenza
Sunday, July 26th, 2026 — Saint Anne's Day
- Cristiano Malgioglio with Festivalbars — the summer hits live, replacing Cristina D'Avena — Piazza Indipendenza
- Fireworks display finale
- Religious celebrations in honor of the patron saint and Pro Loco lottery draw
All shows in Piazza Indipendenza are free. The detailed program with times is published by the Municipality of Pontinia and on the Patronal Festival Facebook page.
Highlights Saint Anne Festival 2026
- Cristiano Malgioglio with "Festivalbars" on the patron saint's night, July 26th
- Fireworks display finale over the Pontinia sky
- Idol, the tribute band recognized by Achille Lauro
- Phoenix Gospel Choir for the opening night
- Stereo 90 with Lele Sarallo, 90s revival
- Four consecutive nights with free admission in Piazza Indipendenza
Prices Saint Anne Festival 2026
Practical information — Saint Anne Festival
How to get there
By car: Take the SS148 Pontina exit towards Latina, then the SP Migliara road towards Pontinia; approximately 90 km from Rome. By train: Latina station on the Rome-Naples line, then take a COTRAL bus to Pontinia (about 20 km). Nearest airport: Rome Fiumicino, approximately 100 km away.
Admission and costs
Concerts in Piazza Indipendenza are free of charge, with no reservation required. Only food and drinks at the stalls, children's attractions, and Pro Loco lottery tickets require payment.
Practical tips
The city center is closed to traffic during concert nights: it is advisable to arrive early and park in the outskirts, then walk to the square. For those staying multiple days, the widest range of accommodation is found in Latina, Sabaudia, and Terracina, all within a half-hour drive. The updated program is published on the Municipality of Pontinia's website and the official Patronal Festival Facebook page.
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Where does it take place — Saint Anne Festival
Piazza Indipendenza
Piazza Indipendenza, 04014 Pontinia