San Rocco Festival

The patronal feast of Casalbordino

The San Rocco Festival is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of Casalbordino, a town in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo, overlooking the Costa dei Trabocchi. Every year in early September, the town gathers in Piazza Umberto I, in front of the Town Hall, to honor the French pilgrim saint venerated since the Middle Ages as a protector against the plague and epidemics.

Faith and popular devotion

The religious heart of the festival is September 3rd, a day dedicated entirely to the Saint. Holy Masses mark the day from dawn until dusk, while in the afternoon, the solemn procession carrying the statue of San Rocco winds through the streets of the town center, preceded by a wreath-laying ceremony for the fallen. The "Città di Casalbordino" marching band, accompanied by majorettes, enlivens the entire day with its music, following a tradition passed down through generations.

Music, lights, and entertainment

Alongside its devotional aspect, the San Rocco Festival offers the community evenings of entertainment and live music. Each edition brings concerts, orchestras, and cover bands to the square, while the highly anticipated fireworks displays light up the sky over Casalbordino. In recent years, well-known Italian performers have taken the stage, drawing large crowds from neighboring towns.

A community celebration

The event is organized by the San Rocco Festival Committee, supported by the Municipality of Casalbordino and local volunteers. Civil Protection and municipal police ensure safety during the procession and the most crowded moments. The festival embodies the spirit of solidarity and participation typical of Abruzzo's villages, where the patronal feast is both a moment of faith and a joyful social gathering.

San Rocco in Casalbordino

For those visiting Abruzzo at the end of summer, the San Rocco Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic traditions of a small town on the Costa dei Trabocchi, amidst centuries-old rites, local gastronomy, and the warm hospitality of the locals.