Saint Nicholas Feast - December 6
Edition 2025 Finished Free Sacred music Brass band Pyrotechnic show

Saint Nicholas Feast - December 6

06 Dec 2025
Bari — Bari (272)

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Edition 2025 — Saint Nicholas December 6

On December 6, 2025, Bari celebrated its Patron Saint with an intense day that began before dawn: opening of the Basilica at 4:00 AM, firing of pyrotechnic salutes from the Sant'Antonio Pier, the 5:00 AM Solemn Mass presided over by Fr. Giovanni Distante, and the arrival of the 32nd Nicolaian Torchlight Procession. Bagpipers, provincial bands, a procession, and fireworks accompanied a commemoration that kicked off the city's Christmas festivities.

The 2025 edition of the solemnity of Saint Nicholas opened in the night between December 5 and 6, with the opening of the Pontifical Basilica at 4:00 AM and the firing of pyrotechnic salutes from the Sant'Antonio Pier. The Holy Mass at 5:00 AM was presided over by Fr. Giovanni Distante OP, Rector of the Basilica, while at dawn, the 32nd Nicolaian Torchlight Procession arrived in Piazza San Nicola, with runners having set off from three different points in the city in the name of peace and legality.

Throughout the day, numerous Holy Masses were held, along with performances by bagpipers and bands from Triggiano and Bitonto in the alleys of the Old Town, the handing over of the city keys to Saint Nicholas by the Mayor, and the procession of the sacred effigy. In the evening, from the Sant'Antonio Pier, the grand fireworks display concluded a festival that, as per tradition, inaugurated the Bari Christmas program.

Programme

December 6, 2025 - Program

  • 4:00 AM - Opening of the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Nicholas
  • 4:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Performance by the Terra di Bari Bagpipers in Piazza San Nicola and the Old Town
  • 4:30 AM - Sant'Antonio Pier: Firing of pyrotechnic salutes
  • 5:00 AM - Holy Mass in the Basilica presided over by Fr. Giovanni Distante OP, Rector of the Basilica
  • 5:45 AM - Arrival in Piazza San Nicola of the 32nd edition of the Nicolaian Torchlight Procession (runners departing from Parco 2 Giugno, San Francesco pine forest, and San Francesco church in Japigia)
  • 6:30 AM - 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Holy Masses in the Basilica of Saint Nicholas
  • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Performance by the Triggiano APS Band, directed by Davide Abbinante, in the Old Town
  • 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Performance by the G. Sebastiani-Lella Band of Bitonto in the Old Town
  • 6:00 PM - Solemn Eucharistic Concelebration in the Basilica
  • Evening - Handing over of the city keys to Saint Nicholas, donation of the maritaggi, procession of the sacred effigy, and fireworks display from the Sant'Antonio Pier

Highlights

The 5:00 AM dawn Mass in the Basilica, the 32nd Nicolaian Torchlight Procession for peace, the handing over of the city keys to the Saint, and the fireworks from the Sant'Antonio Pier.

Prices

All events were free and open to the public.
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Where does it take place — Saint Nicholas December 6

Basilica Pontificia di San Nicola

Largo Abate Elia 13, 70122 Bari

Contact Saint Nicholas December 6

Web
www.basilicasannicola.it
Tel
+39 080 5737111

Saint Nicholas December 6 in brief

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History of Saint Nicholas December 6

Edition 2025 Dec 2025

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