Saint Francis of Assisi Patronal Festival (Lavinio)

The patronal festival of Lavinio Mare

The Saint Francis of Assisi Patronal Festival is the most anticipated event of the year for Lavinio Mare, a bustling seaside district in the municipality of Anzio, located on the southern coast of the Metropolitan City of Rome, in the Lazio region. Each year, in early October, the community gathers around its patron saint with a celebration that blends religious devotion with local festivities, drawing residents and visitors from neighboring towns to the square.

Faith and tradition

The spiritual heart of the festival is the Saint Francis of Assisi parish church, overlooking Piazza Lavinia, built after the Second World War to provide religious support to a rapidly growing coastal area. The most solemn moment of the festivities is the procession in honor of Saint Francis, which, as evening falls, winds through Piazza Lavinia, Viale Re Latino, and Viale alla Marina, accompanied by the faithful and the parish community. The event takes place around October 4th, the liturgical feast day of the saint of Assisi, patron saint of Italy.

A large open-air market

For the occasion, Piazza Lavinia, Viale Virgilio, and part of Viale Re Latino are transformed into a true open-air market. The organization is managed by the Pro Loco of Lavinio, which sets up numerous stalls:

• craft stalls featuring creations by local artisans;
• stalls offering traditional products and local or international food and wine;
• street food stations open from morning until late at night.

Entertainment, sports, and fun

The two-day program is designed for all ages. The streets of the district host street performer shows, entertainment, and children's games, while the evenings feature concerts by bands and cover bands, as well as comedy and cabaret shows. A must-see is the non-competitive fun run on Sunday morning, an open race that winds its way between the center of Lavinio and the seafront, followed by the highly anticipated Saint Francis lottery draw. The festival concludes with a grand fireworks display that lights up the sky over the sea.

In the footsteps of Aeneas

The festival is also an opportunity to discover Lavinio, whose name is rooted in myth: according to tradition, this is the land where Aeneas, fleeing from Troy, landed and founded his first settlement in Italy, calling it Lavinium in honor of Lavinia, daughter of the King of the Latins. This context adds charm to a weekend of celebration amidst the beach, pine forests, and the popular traditions of the Lazio coast.