Saint James Festival – Luminaria della Scala
The Scala di Santa Maria del Monte lights up for the patron saint of Caltagirone
About Saint James Festival
The patronal feast of Caltagirone
The Saint James the Greater Apostle Festival is the most cherished celebration in Caltagirone, located in the province of Catania, in the heart of Baroque Sicily. Saint James is the patron saint of both the city and the entire Diocese, and his feast day anchors a full month of religious and popular events that culminate in late July.
The Luminaria della Scala
The most anticipated moment is undoubtedly the Luminaria della Scala, a spectacular display that illuminates the monumental Scala di Santa Maria del Monte, with its 142 stone and ceramic steps rising through the historic center. For the occasion, thousands of colored paper coppi—each containing a terracotta oil lamp—are hand-placed along the entire staircase to form large, glowing designs. This tradition dates back to the 17th century and reached its peak in the 19th century thanks to Father Benedetto Papale; today, it is preserved and renewed generation after generation by the Russo family, guardians of a craft recognized in the Sicilian Registry of Intangible Heritage.
Every evening, the staircase changes its appearance: the crew repositions the lamps during the day to create a new design, often inspired by the city's coat of arms—the eagle—or the figure of Saint James the Pilgrim, a tribute to the famous tradition of Caltagirone's figurine makers.
Processions and tradition
Alongside the Luminaria, the festival is marked by intense religious moments: the Solemn First Vespers in the Basilica of Saint James, the grand procession of the patron saint's statue through the streets of the historic center, and the Octave celebrations, which involve a different local parish each year. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Caltagirone, the Sicilian capital of ceramics and a UNESCO World Heritage site, at its most vibrant.
Saint James Festival — edition 2026
For 2026, Caltagirone renews the feast of its patron saint with a program that weaves together the traditional Luminaria della Scala and liturgical celebrations in the historic center. Among the year's highlights is a renewed processional route with moments of prayer (statio) and the involvement of the Parish of San Vincenzo de' Paoli for its 60th anniversary.
The Scala di Santa Maria del Monte lights up on the evenings of July 24 and 25, with large light designs composed of oil lamps, and shines again for Ferragosto, on August 14 and 15.
Programme Saint James Festival 2026
Friday, July 24
- 20:00 — Procession of the clergy, mayors, and diocesan authorities with banners from the Cathedral to the Basilica of Saint James for the Solemn First Vespers
- Evening — Luminaria della Scala: lighting of the lamps on the Scala di Santa Maria del Monte (eagle design, city coat of arms)
Saturday, July 25 — Patron Saint's Feast
- 21:00 — Procession of the statue of Saint James through the streets of the center (Stella, S. Stefano, S. Pietro, Roma, Duomo, Piazza Municipio) with blessing and return to the Basilica
- Evening — Luminaria della Scala: new design dedicated to Saint James the Pilgrim
Wednesday, July 29
- 20:30 — Procession with civil and religious authorities to the Parish of San Vincenzo de' Paoli, seat of the 2026 Octave, with welcome and solemn entry
Friday, July 31
- Pilgrimage of the Saint James Parish and conclusion of the patronal month
Saturday, August 1
- 18:00 — Procession from San Vincenzo de' Paoli to Sant'Anna
- 20:00 — Solemn city Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Bishop on the churchyard of Sant'Anna
- 21:00 — Final procession through the city streets, with three laps in Piazza Municipio
August 14 and 15
- Evening — Luminaria della Scala for Ferragosto: new lighting of the staircase
Highlights Saint James Festival 2026
Prices Saint James Festival 2026
Practical information — Saint James Festival
Location
Scala di Santa Maria del Monte and the historic center of Caltagirone (CT), Piazza Municipio. The Luminaria is best viewed from the base of the staircase.
Getting there
Caltagirone is accessible by car via the SS417 Catania–Gela; the train station connects the city to the regional network. On the evenings of the Luminaria, the historic center is largely pedestrianized: it is recommended to park in the outer areas and walk up.
Admission
Access to the Luminaria and the religious celebrations is free.
When
The staircase lights up on the evenings of July 24th and 25th (patron saint's feast) and August 14th and 15th. Lighting begins in the evening and continues until the oil naturally runs out.
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Where does it take place — Saint James Festival
Scala di Santa Maria del Monte
Piazza Municipio, 95041 Caltagirone