Saint Matthew Celebrations
Religious feast in honor of Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist
About Saint Matthew in Peschici
A celebration that closes the Gargano summer
The Saint Matthew Celebrations take place every year on September 21st in Peschici, a town in the Province of Foggia overlooking the crystal-clear sea of the Gargano, in Puglia. The date coincides with the liturgical feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, the tax collector called by Jesus to follow him and author of one of the four Gospels. It is a celebration that symbolically marks the end of the summer season and the village's return to its most authentic rhythms.
Faith and community in the white village
Peschici is one of the most photographed villages on the Gargano coast, with its white cubic houses perched on a cliff overlooking the sea and the maze of alleys in the historic center. In this evocative setting, the feast of Saint Matthew maintains an intimate and devotional character: the community gathers around the Mother Church, the spiritual heart of the town, for religious rites and the procession that winds through the streets of the old town. It is a moment where the dimension of faith intertwines with that of civic identity.
The religious traditions of Peschici
The main patron saint of Peschici is Saint Elijah the Prophet, whose statue is kept in the Mother Church and whose major feast is celebrated from July 18th to 21st. Alongside this solemnity, the devotional calendar of the Gargano village is marked by numerous events, including the Saint Matthew celebrations on September 21st, Our Lady of the Rosary in October, and the Marian feasts of the summer season. These celebrations recount the deep popular religiosity of the Capitanata and the Gargano.
Why attend
- Experience an authentic religious festival far from the high-season crowds
- Discover the historic center of Peschici in an intimate and genuine setting
- Witness the rites and the procession in the heart of the old town
- Combine your visit with the natural beauty of the Gargano National Park
The Saint Matthew Celebrations are a perfect occasion for those who wish to discover the truest side of Peschici, that of shared traditions and devotion passed down from generation to generation, in one of the most beautiful landscapes in Puglia.
Saint Matthew in Peschici — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Saint Matthew Celebrations will take place on Monday, September 21, 2026, in Peschici, in the Gargano. The date is confirmed within the event program of the Municipality of Peschici, which accompanies the village throughout the summer and autumn season.
The celebration maintains its religious and community character, with rites in honor of Saint Matthew and the participation of the inhabitants of the historic center. The detailed calendar of services and the procession will be published by the parish and the municipal administration in the days preceding the feast.
Programme Saint Matthew in Peschici 2026
The detailed program of the 2026 Saint Matthew Celebrations, including the times of the solemn Holy Mass and the procession, will be published by the parish and the Municipality of Peschici in the weeks preceding September 21st. As per tradition, the day is dedicated to religious rites in honor of the Saint and moments of devotion in the historic center.
Highlights Saint Matthew in Peschici 2026
Prices Saint Matthew in Peschici 2026
Practical information — Saint Matthew in Peschici
How to get there
Peschici is located on the Gargano promontory, in the Province of Foggia. By car, it can be reached from the A14 motorway (Poggio Imperiale or San Severo exit) by continuing along the SS89 Gargano road. The nearest train station is Foggia, which is connected to Peschici by bus lines. During the summer months, maritime connections are active along the Gargano coast.
When
The feast is celebrated on September 21st every year.
Admission
Participation in the celebrations and religious rites is free and open to all.
Tips
The historic center is best explored on foot through alleys and stairways: comfortable shoes are recommended. September is an ideal month to combine the festival with discovering the beaches and sea caves of the Gargano, with temperatures still mild.
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Where does it take place — Saint Matthew in Peschici
Centro storico di Peschici