San Mauro Abate Patronal Feast
The feast of the co-patron saint of Arielli, blending faith and tradition on the last Sunday of May
About San Mauro Abate Arielli
The feast of the co-patron saint of Arielli
The San Mauro Abate Patronal Feast is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of Arielli, a small hillside village in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. San Mauro Abate is venerated as the co-patron of the town, alongside Saint Michael the Archangel, the principal patron saint celebrated on September 29th. The celebration in honor of San Mauro traditionally falls on the last Sunday of May and spans two days, combining religious observance with civil and social festivities.
Faith and community
The festival is organized by the Patronal Feast Committee in collaboration with the Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel, who curate a program designed to engage the entire Arielli community. The spiritual heart of the event is the procession that winds through the historic center, accompanied by a brass band—a moment of profound popular participation where the town gathers around the figure of the saintly abbot.
Music and entertainment in the village
Alongside liturgical celebrations, the festival offers high-quality musical performances. A standout venue is the former church of San Rocco, a 16th-century building now converted into an auditorium, which hosts concerts within the evocative setting of the historic center. Piazza Crognali, built at the beginning of the 20th century on the site of the ancient castle of Arielli, serves as the stage for the evening musical shows that conclude the festivities, filled with music, toasts, and community spirit.
A village among vineyards and olive groves
Arielli is a town of just over a thousand inhabitants nestled in the Chieti hills at an altitude of about 300 meters, in a landscape defined by viticulture and olive cultivation. The San Mauro Abate feast is a precious opportunity to discover this authentic corner of Abruzzo, far from mass tourism circuits, where religious and folk traditions remain vibrant and deeply rooted in the identity of the Municipality of Arielli.
Why attend
- Experience an authentic patronal feast in the Abruzzo hinterland
- Witness the procession with the brass band through the ancient village streets
- Listen to concerts in the former church of San Rocco
- Enjoy evening performances in Piazza Crognali
- Discover a small town in the province of Chieti among hills, vineyards, and local hospitality
San Mauro Abate Arielli — edition 2026
The 2026 San Mauro Abate Patronal Feast opened on Saturday, May 30th: at 8:00 PM, in the former church of San Rocco, the concert "Songs of Beauty, Love, and Home" was held with Johannes Schwaiger, Tessa Lang, and Mauro D'Alfonso.
On Sunday, May 31st, the festivities continued with the band in procession through the village streets starting at 9:00 AM and, in the evening, at 9:30 PM in Piazza Crognali, with the musical show by "Le Pannocchie dell'Adriatico". The festival, with free admission, brought together the entire community of Arielli amidst liturgical celebrations, music, and conviviality.
Programme San Mauro Abate Arielli 2026
Saturday, May 30, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Former church of San Rocco: concert "Songs of Beauty, Love, and Home" with Johannes Schwaiger, Tessa Lang, and Mauro D'Alfonso
Sunday, May 31, 2026
- 9:00 AM — Band in procession through the village streets
- 9:30 PM — Piazza Crognali: musical show with "Le Pannocchie dell'Adriatico"
Highlights San Mauro Abate Arielli 2026
Prices San Mauro Abate Arielli 2026
Practical information — San Mauro Abate Arielli
Getting there
Arielli can be reached by car via the A14 motorway (Ortona or Val di Sangro exits), continuing along the provincial roads that climb into the Chieti hinterland. The nearest train station is in Ortona, on the Adriatic line, from which you can continue by car or local transport. The reference airport is Pescara-Abruzzo Airport.
When
The festival takes place on the last Sunday of May and the preceding day.
Admission
Religious events and performances in the square are free of charge.
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Where does it take place — San Mauro Abate Arielli
Centro storico di Arielli