San Matteo and Madonna Addolorata Fair

The San Matteo and Madonna Addolorata Fair

Every year in mid-September, San Marco in Lamis—a town in the Gargano area of the Foggia province, in the heart of Puglia—celebrates its most heartfelt patronal feast: the San Matteo and Madonna Addolorata Fair. It is a three-day event where faith, popular tradition, and ancient mercantile customs merge into a single grand community celebration, drawing worshippers, curious visitors, and travelers from across the Capitanata and the Gargano region.

An ancient bond between fair and devotion

The San Matteo Fair originated as an important market for livestock and agricultural tools, which in past centuries attracted farmers and breeders from neighboring towns. The decision to align the fair with religious celebrations around September 21st dates back to the 19th century, born from a practical necessity: allowing shepherds and farmers to visit San Marco in Lamis just once to participate in the festivities and conduct their business. Today, this blend of the sacred and the secular continues to define the soul of the event.

Religious celebrations

The spiritual heart of the feast is dedicated to Maria SS. Addolorata, deeply venerated by the locals, and Saint Matthew the Apostle, the city's co-patron, whose feast day falls on September 21st. The days are marked by liturgical services, holy masses, solemn processions through the town streets, and moments of prayer at the Sacred Convent of San Matteo, one of the most cherished spiritual sites for the Gargano community.

The fair and the flavors of the Gargano

Alongside the religious dimension, the town center comes alive with the fair: exhibition stalls, local food products, traditional handicrafts, and an area dedicated to Gargano gastronomy, featuring the specialties of the Puglian and mountain traditions. It is the perfect opportunity to rediscover the authentic flavors of the territory and the hospitality of a community tied to its rural roots.

Music, shows, and fireworks

The evenings bring folk music, performances by folkloric groups, comedy shows, and concerts to the squares, traditionally hosted in the Villa Comunale "J. Tusiani" and throughout the town center. There are also activities and play areas designed for families and children. The grand finale is marked by a fireworks display that illuminates the night sky over San Marco in Lamis on the final evening.

When it takes place

The patronal feast is traditionally held from September 19th to 21st, with the highlight occurring on the day of Saint Matthew. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced; it is recommended to check the official channels of the Municipality of San Marco in Lamis and the Festival Committee closer to the event.