Saint Paul the Apostle Feast and Cavatelli with Monkfish Festival

A neighborhood festival in the heart of Vasto

The Saint Paul the Apostle Feast is one of the most cherished events in the San Paolo district of Vasto, a town on the Adriatic coast in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. Organized by the Saint Paul the Apostle parish, the event unfolds around the church on Via Florindo Ritucci Chinni and weaves together two complementary spirits: the religious one, tied to the devotion to the saint, and the popular and gastronomic one, embodied by the famous Cavatelli with Monkfish Festival.

Faith and devotion

The spiritual heart of the festival is the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, celebrated on June 29th. Over the three days, numerous Eucharistic celebrations take place under the parish church bell tower, culminating in the solemn procession through the streets of the district, accompanied by groups, associations, and the marching band. It is a moment when the community gathers in unity, between communal prayer and a sense of belonging to their neighborhood.

The Cavatelli with Monkfish Festival

The signature dish of the festival is cavatelli alla pescatrice, the typical Abruzzo fresh pasta seasoned with a flavorful monkfish sauce, accompanied by frittura di paranza, a mixed fry of small Adriatic fish. Around the festival tables, you can also enjoy sandwiches, arrosticini, and fries, while the dessert stall offers scrippelle and other traditional specialties. There are also stalls dedicated to embroidery, costume jewelry, and religious items, managed by the parish community.

Music and entertainment

The festival evenings are enlivened by concerts and live performances set up in the parish area: tribute bands, orchestras, and folk music accompany the long summer nights. For the little ones, starting in the afternoon, there are inflatable games and the classic charity raffle full of prizes.

A late-June appointment

With free admission and the genuine atmosphere of neighborhood festivals, the Saint Paul the Apostle Feast represents one of the most authentic moments of the Vasto summer. Faith, tradition, and good food merge in an event that renews the bond between the parish and the territory every year, attracting residents and visitors to the San Paolo district of Vasto.