Saint Sebastian Festival

In 2025, the festivities for Saint Sebastian in Gallipoli kicked off on January 19th with the lighting of the focareddha on Via Zacà, originally scheduled for January 17th but postponed due to bad weather. The large bonfire, made of wood gathered from the fields in honor of Saint Anthony Abbot, was enlivened by the folk music of the group I Trainanti. In the evening, the Basilica Concattedrale di Sant'Agata hosted the Eucharistic celebration followed by the solemn procession with the statues of Saints Sebastian and Agatha.

On January 20th, the day of the feast, the solemn mass was presided over by Bishop Fernando Filograna. At the end, Local Police officers carried the silver statue of the Saint on their shoulders along the aisles, renewing one of the most cherished traditions of the old town.