San Lidano Patronal Feast

The Patronal Feast of Pero dei Santi

The San Lidano Patronal Feast is the most cherished event of the year for Pero dei Santi, a small village in the municipality of Civita d'Antino, in the province of L'Aquila, nestled in the heart of the Abruzzo's Valle Roveto. Every summer, around mid-August, the community gathers to honor its patron saint, Saint Lidano the Abbot, in a celebration that perfectly balances religious observance with festive, popular spirit.

Saint Lidano and his church

The cult of Saint Lidano is deeply embedded in the village. The church dedicated to him stands at the foot of the hill where Civita d'Antino rises, along the ancient transit route of the Valle Roveto connecting Central and Southern Italy. The original building, like much of the village, was destroyed by the devastating 1915 Marsica earthquake and rebuilt in the following years in a neo-Romanesque style. To this day, the church and the square named after the saint remain the spiritual and cultural heart of Pero dei Santi.

Evenings in Piazza San Lidano

Alongside the moments of devotion, the secular heart of the festival is represented by the evening shows held in Piazza San Lidano, carefully organized by the Pero dei Santi Festival Committee. In recent years, this small Marsican village has stood out for its ability to bring well-known names from the Italian music scene to its stage: in 2024, the protagonists were Zero Assoluto, while the 2025 edition featured the 90s DJ set of Magia 90 and a concert by Gemelli Diversi.

An event for the entire Valle Roveto

Despite the village's small size, the festival attracts crowds from Civita d'Antino and other towns in the Marsica and Valle Roveto areas, serving as a gathering point for the entire valley. The atmosphere is that of a genuine Abruzzese village feast: a packed square, lights, music, and the joy of being together on one of the warmest nights of the summer.

When it takes place

The festival traditionally falls in mid-August, with the main events concentrated around the 17th and 18th of the month. The dates and program for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced by the Festival Committee: it is recommended to follow local channels and the committee's social media pages for updates.