Saint Gaudenzius Festival – Patronal Feast of Rimini

A Patronal Feast in the Heart of Rimini

Every year, on October 14th, the Municipality of Rimini gathers around its patron saint, Saint Gaudenzius, a bishop and martyr venerated by the city community for centuries. The fixed date on the calendar transforms the historic center into a widespread stage where the religious and popular dimensions coexist in perfect balance. It is one of the most cherished dates of the Rimini autumn, capable of attracting citizens, faithful, and visitors from the entire Romagna Riviera.

The Tombola of Saint Gaudenzius in Piazza Cavour

The most anticipated and popular moment is undoubtedly the Tombola of Saint Gaudenzius, which takes place on the afternoon of October 14th in Piazza Cavour. Reaching its sixty-eighth edition in 2025, it is a true city institution: the tickets are put on sale in the early afternoon, and the proceeds are entirely donated to the Italian Red Cross. The square comes alive with the concert of the historic "Città di Rimini" Band and entertainment, while the drawing of numbers keeps the many people gathered around the board in suspense.

Religious Celebrations

The day of the solemnity is marked by liturgies. In the morning, Mass is celebrated in the parish church of Saint Gaudenzius, in the Sant'Andrea District, while in the late afternoon, the Bishop presides over the solemn concelebration in the Basilica Cathedral. To crown the spiritual calendar is the traditional Concert of Saint Gaudenzius, promoted by the Diocese of Rimini in collaboration with the Cappella Musicale Malatestiana: in 2025, it reached its eighteenth edition, with an orchestra and choir filling the evocative setting of the cathedral (or, in some editions, the Malatestiana Temple) with sacred music.

The Feast of the Sant'Andrea District

Around the patronal solemnity, the Feast of the Sant'Andrea District develops, a neighborhood event that in 2025 reached its thirteenth edition. For a few days, the streets of the historic district are filled with markets, stalls of typical products and sweets, shows, exhibitions, and gastronomic events, in a journey that blends nature, history, and local identity.

A Tradition Rooted in Emilia-Romagna

The Feast of Saint Gaudenzius represents an identity event for Rimini and for the entire Emilia-Romagna region: a patronal feast that, beyond devotion, preserves popular rites like the charity tombola, passed down from generation to generation. Participating means experiencing the city in its most authentic dimension, far from the bathing season and immersed in the traditions of Rimini's historic heart.