Saint James the Apostle Festival

The patronal feast of Prata di Principato Ultra

In the heart of Irpinia, about ten kilometers from Avellino, the town of Prata di Principato Ultra celebrates its patron saint every year with the Saint James the Apostle Festival. It is the most cherished event on the local calendar: a celebration that weaves together liturgy, collective memory, and village life, drawing residents, returning emigrants, and visitors from neighboring towns in the province of Avellino, Campania, during the second half of July.

July 25th, the patron saint's day

The key date is July 25th, the day the Church remembers Saint James the Greater, apostle and patron of pilgrims. In Prata, the day begins with a solemn mass in the parish church dedicated to Saint James the Apostle and continues with the procession, the true beating heart of the festivities: the statue of the saint is carried on the shoulders of the faithful through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by confraternities, floral decorations at the windows, and music that marks the pace of the pageant. It is the moment when the entire town gathers in the streets, among those who pray, those who watch from their balconies, and those who simply do not want to miss out.

The novena and days of preparation

The festival is not limited to a single day. In the days leading up to July 25th, the Mother Church hosts the novena: nine evenings of prayer announced by the ringing of bells, a slower pace that prepares for the solemnity. In 2025, the festivities spanned from July 17th to 26th, ten days suspended between silence and music, devotion and conviviality, with the patronal day followed by a final concluding evening.

Music and evenings in the square

When night falls, the secular side of the festival takes over. The town squares become a stage for concerts and folk music performances: in 2025, for instance, the evening of July 25th featured a rock'n'roll act, while on July 26th, the group Pratola Folk took the stage. It is the moment when the festival opens up to all generations, with families sitting at tables and the younger crowd gathering under the stage until late at night.

The flavors of Irpinia

As in every patronal feast in the South, food plays a central role in Prata. Alongside the stalls set up for the occasion, you can find the excellence of the Irpinian territory: local cured meats and cheeses, extra virgin olive oil, the Camponica hazelnut, and the Mortarella, and of course the great white wines of the area, starting with Greco di Tufo, produced just a few kilometers away. A simple and authentic opportunity to understand what the hill cuisine of Irpinia is all about.

A village to discover around the festival

Those arriving for the festival will find a town that deserves a stroll even during the day. Prata di Principato Ultra preserves the Basilica of Maria Santissima dell'Annunziata, a paleochristian place of worship carved into the tuff, with a crypt, catacombs, and Byzantine-style frescoes: one of the most important monuments in the entire province of Avellino. In the historic center, you can also find the 17th-century Baronial Palace, built on medieval structures, and Palazzo Ciambelli overlooking Piazza Nicola Grillo.

• Municipality: Prata di Principato Ultra (ZIP 83030), province of Avellino, Campania Region
• Patron Saint: Saint James the Greater, celebrated on July 25th
• Highlights: Novena in the Mother Church, solemn mass, procession of the statue, musical evenings in the square
• Other local events: Feast of the Madonna dell'Annunziata (March), Flight of the Angel, Wines and Flavors, Prata Jazz Festival, Wine Festival

The 2026 edition

At the time of writing, the official program for the 2026 festivities has not yet been published. The liturgical feast of Saint James falls as always on July 25th, but exact dates, times, and musical guests are usually announced only a few weeks in advance. We therefore recommend checking for updates on the channels of the Municipality of Prata di Principato Ultra and the parish before setting off.