San Pellegrino Fair — Citron Fair

The May 1st fair in Forlì

The San Pellegrino Fair, also known as the Citron Fair or Citron Festival, is one of the most cherished and traditional events in the calendar of Forlì, in the heart of Romagna (Province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna). Every year, on May 1st, the historic center comes alive from early morning until evening with dozens of stalls that invade Piazza Morgagni, Corso della Repubblica, and Via Flavio Biondo, filling the streets with colors, scents, and the unmistakable yellow of the citrus fruit.

San Pellegrino Laziosi and the citron

The fair celebrates San Pellegrino Laziosi (Forlì, 1265 — Forlì, May 1st, 1345), a friar of the Order of the Servants of Mary and co-patron of the city, venerated today as the protector of the sick, particularly those with cancer. Tradition inextricably links the saint to the citron: according to popular lore, Pellegrino was miraculously healed of a severe knee gangrene, and the citrus fruit — appreciated for its beneficial properties — became the symbol of the saint who used it to treat fevers and illnesses. Hence the custom of buying and having citrons blessed during the day, consuming them as a wish for health and prosperity for the year ahead.

Between market, faith, and historic center

Alongside the historic citron stalls, set up mainly near the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi (also known as the Basilica of San Pellegrino Laziosi, where the saint's remains rest), you'll find stalls selling food products, sweets, home decor, clothing, handicrafts, and curiosities of all kinds. Bars, cafes, and restaurants in the center open their doors, offering typical Romagna dishes, transforming the day into an opportunity for shopping, tasting, and strolling through the city streets. The religious dimension remains central: the sanctuary offers a full schedule of Holy Masses, and devotees flock to the basilica to honor the co-patron.

A centuries-old tradition

Devotion to Blessed Pellegrino was confirmed by Pope Clement XI in 1702 and culminated in canonization in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. For centuries, coinciding with Labor Day, May 1st has been a day of great crowds, when locals and visitors from all over Romagna gather in the historic center to experience popular faith, tradition, and a street festival together.