San Rocco Festival

The festival of the Vallecupa district

The San Rocco Festival is celebrated every year on August 16th in the Vallecupa district of Bomba, a town in the province of Chieti, in Abruzzo. The heart of the festivities is the small Church of San Rocco, which stands in the district and serves as the gathering point for the entire community. Devotion to Saint Rocco, the pilgrim saint traditionally invoked as a protector against epidemics and diseases, is deeply rooted in Abruzzese popular religion and finds one of its most authentic expressions here.

A date chosen for the community

The festival was once held on the second Sunday of September, serving as the town's final summer festival before autumn. It was later moved to August 16th, the day the liturgical calendar commemorates Saint Rocco: a choice designed to align the celebration with the saint's feast day and, above all, to allow the participation of emigrants from Bomba who return to the village during their summer holidays. For Vallecupa, it is truly a homecoming festival, a moment when distant families reunite and generations reconnect through the same tradition.

Faith and conviviality

The day blends religious observance with community spirit: the Eucharistic celebration in the Church of San Rocco, the procession with the statue of the saint through the streets of the district, and the popular festivities that involve the entire area. It is a simple and heartfelt occasion, organized by the Vallecupa Festival Committee with the active participation of residents, who pass down customs and devotion from year to year.

Bomba and its surroundings

Bomba is a small village perched at an altitude of over 400 meters, overlooking the picturesque Lake Bomba, an artificial reservoir that becomes a hub for tourism and outdoor activities in the summer. The area preserves ancient landmarks, such as the megalithic walls of Monte Pallano, and was the birthplace of philosophers Silvio and Bertrando Spaventa. Attending the San Rocco Festival means discovering an authentic side of inland Abruzzo, defined by close-knit communities, rolling hills, and traditions upheld with pride.

Upcoming editions

Dates and the detailed program for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced. The festival traditionally maintains the August 16th date: it is recommended to check for updated information with the Municipality of Bomba or the Vallecupa Festival Committee as summer approaches.