Saint Sebastian Festival
The patronal feast of Marigliano blending popular faith, art, and music
About Saint Sebastian in Marigliano
A patronal feast in the heart of Marigliano
Saint Sebastian the Martyr is the patron saint of Marigliano, a town of about thirty thousand inhabitants in the Nola plain, in the province of Naples, Campania. His liturgical memorial falls on January 20th and has defined the city's calendar for generations: it is the moment when the community, after the Christmas holidays, gathers again in the square and in the church. The festival is not just a devotional appointment, but a true city project, which in recent years has taken the name of «San Sebastiano al centro» (Saint Sebastian at the center) precisely because it aims to bring life, lights, and people back into the historic center.
Popular faith and devotion to the Saint
The religious core of the festival is the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where the silver bust of the patron saint is kept. In the days leading up to January 20th, the parish celebrates the novena, with daily Eucharist and highly attended moments of prayer. On the day of the feast, the Solemn Holy Mass is traditionally presided over by the Bishop of Nola: in recent editions, Monsignor Francesco Marino has led the 10:00 AM celebration. Immediately after, the procession of the saint's bust begins, crossing the city streets accompanied by the band, the faithful, and the confraternities: it is the most heartfelt and moving moment of the entire event.
FenomeNOVENArt: contemporary art tells the story of Saint Sebastian
For some years now, the novena has been enriched by an original cultural proposal: FenomeNOVENArt, a path hosted in the Church of the Annunziata, where contemporary artists are invited to reinterpret the figure of the patron saint. Each artist creates and installs their work during the days of the novena and then presents it to the public, explaining its meaning. It is an intelligent way to bring the people of Marigliano closer to the languages of today's art and, at the same time, to reread an ancient devotion with new eyes.
Music, cabaret, and street artists
The civil side of the festival is entrusted to the Municipality, which sets up a program of free shows between Piazza Municipio, Piazza Castello, and via Giannone. Over the years, pop and Neapolitan concerts, tribute bands, cabaret evenings with well-known faces of Campanian comedy, and, in the early afternoon, street artists with choreographies and games designed for children and families have alternated. In the evening, there is no shortage of the fireworks display in honor of the Saint, another custom much loved by the people of Marigliano.
Sports and local flavors
The start of the festivities is accompanied by the «Corri per San Sebastiano» (Run for Saint Sebastian) foot race, a ten-kilometer city circuit under the aegis of FIDAL, which attracts about a thousand athletes from all over Italy every year and effectively opens the patronal week. Meanwhile, along the streets of the center, the nougat stalls and local product stands return: in recent editions, the festival has hosted the Slow Food Agro Nolano convivium and the «Street Food Made in Marigliano» circuit, a showcase of local gastronomy including pizza, Neapolitan fried foods, and traditional sweets.
Why participate
- An authentic patronal feast, not very touristy and deeply felt by the community.
- Free admission to all civil and religious events.
- A rare encounter between popular devotion and contemporary art thanks to FenomeNOVENArt.
- The opportunity to discover the historic center of Marigliano, with the Ducal Castle and historic churches, in one of the few weeks of the year when it is truly lively.
- A convenient stop from Naples and Nola, reachable by train on the EAV line.
Saint Sebastian in Marigliano — edition 2026
Saint Sebastian 2026: two weeks of celebration
The 2026 patronal calendar of Marigliano officially started on Sunday, January 11th, when the fifth edition of the «Corri per San Sebastiano» foot race brought about a thousand athletes to the city; on the same day, the Santa Maria delle Grazie parish opened the novena. From January 11th to 19th, the Church of the Annunziata hosted the fifth edition of FenomeNOVENArt, with nine contemporary artists invited to tell the story of the patron saint.
The religious heart of the festival was Tuesday, January 20th, the liturgical memorial of the martyr: at 10:00 AM, in the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Solemn Holy Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Nola, Monsignor Francesco Marino, followed by the procession of the saint's bust through the city streets.
The closing took place on Friday, January 23rd, at 9:00 PM in Piazza Municipio, with a large free musical show featuring singers STE and MAVI, the latter accompanied by her band. The evening was part of the cultural project «Le Stagioni Mariglianesi», included in the 2025-2026 Metropolitan Events Calendar of the Metropolitan City of Naples.
Programme Saint Sebastian in Marigliano 2026
Sunday, January 11th
- 9:00 AM, Piazza Municipio: Start of the 5th edition of «Corri per San Sebastiano», a 10 km FIDAL foot race on a double city circuit, with about 1,000 athletes at the start. This is the official start of the patronal festivities.
- Opening of the novena in the Santa Maria delle Grazie parish.
January 11th to 19th
- Church of the Annunziata: 5th edition of FenomeNOVENArt, «Contemporary artists tell the story of Saint Sebastian». Nine artists create and install their works during the days of the novena and present their meaning at the end of the celebrations.
Tuesday, January 20th - Liturgical memorial of Saint Sebastian
- 10:00 AM, Collegiate Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie: Solemn Holy Mass of the patronal feast presided over by the Bishop of Nola, Monsignor Francesco Marino.
- Followed by: Procession of the bust of Saint Sebastian through the city streets.
Friday, January 23rd
- 9:00 PM, Piazza Municipio: Grand musical show with STE and MAVI accompanied by her band, as part of the «Le Stagioni Mariglianesi» project (2025-2026 Metropolitan Events Calendar of the Metropolitan City of Naples). Free admission.
Highlights Saint Sebastian in Marigliano 2026
- The procession of the silver bust of Saint Sebastian on January 20th, the most attended moment of the year in Marigliano.
- The solemn mass presided over by the Bishop of Nola in the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
- FenomeNOVENArt, with nine contemporary artists reinterpreting the patron saint in the Church of the Annunziata.
- «Corri per San Sebastiano», ten kilometers with about a thousand runners from all over Italy.
- The free concert on January 23rd in Piazza Municipio with STE and MAVI.
Prices Saint Sebastian in Marigliano 2026
Practical information — Saint Sebastian in Marigliano
How to get there
By train: Marigliano station on the EAV Naples-Nola-Baiano line, a few minutes' walk from the historic center. By car: Nola exit of the A30 Caserta-Salerno motorway or Nola exit of the A16 Naples-Canosa, then follow signs for Marigliano. By plane: Naples-Capodichino airport, about 20 km away.
Parking and traffic
During the days of the festival, the center is largely closed to traffic and traffic flow is modified, particularly on the morning of the foot race and during the procession. It is advisable to leave the car in the peripheral areas and reach Piazza Municipio on foot.
Costs
All religious events and shows in the square are free of charge. Only the «Corri per San Sebastiano» foot race requires an entry fee for athletes.
Tips
It is mid-winter: heavy clothing is essential, as almost everything takes place outdoors. For the solemn mass on January 20th, it is advisable to arrive at least half an hour early, as the Collegiate Church fills up quickly.
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Where does it take place — Saint Sebastian in Marigliano
Centro storico di Marigliano (Chiesa Collegiata Santa Maria delle Grazie, Piazza Castello, Piazza Municipio)
Piazza Municipio, 80034 Marigliano