Sant'Anna Cavalcade
The centuries-old rite of knights and blessed confetti in the heart of Irpinia
About Sant'Anna Cavalcade
A centuries-old rite in the heart of Irpinia
At the end of July, San Mango sul Calore, a small town in the province of Avellino, Campania, gathers around one of the oldest and most recognizable traditions in Irpinia: the Sant'Anna Cavalcade. This is not merely a costume parade, but an act of collective devotion that weaves together faith, rural memory, and a sense of belonging, drawing back emigrants, families, and visitors from across the province.
Knights, confetti, and three laps around the sanctuary
The heart of the event is the equestrian procession. The knights, dressed in period costumes and led by the mayor, set off from the Town Hall and ride through the village streets before descending toward the church of Sant'Anna in the Calore Valley, passing by the ancient Roman Bridge, which local memory calls the "Hannibal Bridge."
Upon arrival at the sanctuary, the most anticipated moment takes place: the knights perform the ancient rite of three laps around the church, then enter the building to shower thousands of blessed confetti over the faithful. The confetti, prepared collectively in the preceding days and blessed in church, have been a symbol of prosperity, protection, and fertility for centuries.
Origins: The Sant'Anna Fair and the transfer of power
The roots of the Cavalcade date back to the 16th century and are linked to the ancient Sant'Anna Fair, a commercial and religious event that once dictated the economic life of the village. On the day of the festival, the feudal lord would symbolically hand over the governance of the community to the mayor: a gesture that still explains why the mayor leads the procession of knights today.
«Lights on Sant'Anna»: The week leading up to the feast
The Cavalcade is not an isolated event. In the days leading up to it, the «Lights on Sant'Anna» festival, organized by the Pro Loco Sanmanghese in collaboration with the municipal administration, the festival committee, and the Mnemoteca association, guides the village toward the Sunday rite with:
- scenic lighting of the church of Sant'Anna and its medieval Gothic features;
- readings and storytelling of local history, including pages by Matilde Serao dedicated to the veneration of Sant'Anna;
- the collective preparation of confetti in the sanctuary square;
- the blessing of the horses and the blessing of the confetti at the end of the evening mass;
- the procession and concert by the «Anelli di Saturno» ensemble, featuring religious hymns and Neapolitan classics.
A heritage recognized by the Campania Region
The Sant'Anna Cavalcade is inscribed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Catalogue of the Campania Region: a recognition that certifies the ethnographic value of the rite and supports its transmission to new generations. The event is promoted by the municipal administration together with the Pro Loco Sanmanghese and the Misericordia Brotherhood, with the collaboration of the parish and the festival committee.
San Mango sul Calore, a village to discover
With just over a thousand inhabitants and an altitude of 472 meters, the village overlooks the Calore Valley, a short distance from Avellino and the most famous wine-producing areas of Irpinia. Those arriving for the Cavalcade will find a charming village, a landscape of hills and vineyards, and a community that lives entirely around its sanctuary for a few days. The festival is also an opportunity to taste mountain Irpinian cuisine, consisting of fresh pasta, cured meats, and locally produced cheeses.
Participating in the procession
Participation in the historical procession is open to non-residents: the only requirement for knights is to wear the period costumes specified by the regulations. Registration details are released every year through the official channels of the Municipality and the Pro Loco Sanmanghese, usually in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Sant'Anna Cavalcade — edition 2026
The 2026 Sant'Anna Cavalcade
On Sunday, July 26, 2026, San Mango sul Calore renewed its most defining tradition. From 10:00 AM, the procession in period costumes left the Town Hall to ride through the village streets and descend toward the church of Sant'Anna in the Calore Valley, passing by the ancient Roman Bridge known as the «Hannibal Bridge».
Upon arrival at the sanctuary, the knights performed the three ritual laps around the church, then made their traditional entry to shower thousands of blessed confetti over the faithful, following a gesture that local sources trace back to the 16th century and the Sant'Anna Fair.
A week of preparation
The Sunday rite was preceded by the «Lights on Sant'Anna» festival from July 21 to 25: scenic lighting of the church, local history storytelling, and readings from Matilde Serao performed by actor Mimmo Soricelli, collective preparation of confetti in the square, blessing of the horses and confetti after the evening mass, and a procession and concert by the «Anelli di Saturno» ensemble.
The initiative was promoted by the municipal administration together with the Pro Loco Sanmanghese, the Misericordia Brotherhood, the festival committee, and the Mnemoteca association.
Programme Sant'Anna Cavalcade 2026
«Lights on Sant'Anna» — from Tuesday, July 21 to Saturday, July 25, 2026
- Tuesday, July 21, 9:00 PM — Church of Sant'Anna: scenic lighting of the medieval Gothic architecture, storytelling of a 1907 episode related to the Cavalcade, and readings from Matilde Serao on the veneration of Sant'Anna, with actor Mimmo Soricelli.
- Wednesday, July 22, 9:00 PM — Sanctuary square: collective preparation of confetti.
- Thursday, July 23 — After the 6:30 PM mass: blessing of the horses at the ancient church.
- Friday, July 24 — After the 6:30 PM mass: blessing of the confetti.
- Saturday, July 25, 8:00 PM — After the procession, musical performance by the «Anelli di Saturno» ensemble.
The Cavalcade — Sunday, July 26, 2026
- From 10:00 AM — Departure of the historical procession from the Town Hall, with knights in period costumes led by the mayor.
- Ride through the town center and passage by the Roman Bridge, known as the «Hannibal Bridge».
- Arrival at the church of Sant'Anna in the Calore Valley.
- Three ritual laps of the knights around the sanctuary.
- Knights' entry into the church and throwing of blessed confetti over the faithful.
Highlights Sant'Anna Cavalcade 2026
- The three ritual laps of the knights around the church of Sant'Anna
- The throwing of thousands of blessed confetti over the faithful
- The procession's passage by the Roman Bridge, known as the «Hannibal Bridge»
- The scenic lighting of the sanctuary on the opening night of July 21
- The collective preparation of confetti in the church square
- The blessing of the horses and the blessing of the confetti
- The concert by the «Anelli di Saturno» ensemble
Prices Sant'Anna Cavalcade 2026
Practical information — Sant'Anna Cavalcade
How to get there
San Mango sul Calore is located in the Calore Valley, in the province of Avellino, at an altitude of 472 meters. The most convenient way to travel is by car: the village is connected to Avellino and the towns of central Irpinia via provincial roads. The nearest airports are in Naples and Salerno.
Where it takes place
The procession starts from the Town Hall and crosses the town center to the church of Sant'Anna in the valley below. The events of the «Lights on Sant'Anna» week are held between the church and the sanctuary square.
Costs
Participation is free and open to all, both for religious services and the procession: no tickets are required.
Useful tips
- Arrive early: on the main day, the town gets crowded and parking along the road to the sanctuary is limited.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the path to the church of Sant'Anna is downhill and the terrain is not always smooth.
- Maintain a safe distance from the horses, especially if you are with children.
- Hat and water: at the end of July, the midday sun can be intense.
- Information: Municipality of San Mango sul Calore, Via Cesare Battisti 1, tel. +39 0827 75358.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Sant'Anna Cavalcade
Chiesa di Sant'Anna e centro storico