Sant'Antonio Abate Festival - Fucarazzo and Porchetta Festival

A festival that bears the city's name

In Sant'Antonio Abate, a town in the Metropolitan City of Naples in Campania, the patronal feast is no ordinary appointment: the town bears the name of its saint, and every January 17th, the entire community gathers around a tradition that blends popular faith, ritual fire, and street food. The event, promoted by the Municipality of Sant'Antonio Abate in collaboration with local associations, takes place over several days across the historic center, Piazza della Libertà, Via Lettere, and Largo Sandro Pertini, the gastronomic heart of the festival.

The Fucarazzo 'e Sant'Antuono, the ritual of fire

The most anticipated moment is the lighting of the Artistic Fucarazzo, the great bonfire of Saint Anthony raised in the preceding days and lit on the evening of January 16th in Via Lettere, on the eve of the saint's feast day. The ritual is preceded by a procession through the town center and is accompanied by the Bottari, players of barrels, vats, and scythes who mark one of the most iconic musical rhythms of Campania with their archaic sound. According to tradition, the fire burns what has been to make room for the new: a collective wish that the community renews every year and entrusts to the children so that it may continue over time.

The fair and the blessing of the animals

On January 17th, the patron saint's day, the historic animal fair takes place along Via Lettere, followed by the blessing of domestic animals. Saint Anthony the Abbot is traditionally the protector of animals and the farming world, and in a territory with a strong agricultural vocation like the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese, this bond remains deeply felt. In recent years, the fair has been joined by a free microchipping service for pets, demonstrating how tradition can evolve without losing its roots.

The Porchetta Festival

Since the late seventies, the patronal feast has been accompanied by the Porchetta Festival, which reached its 48th edition in 2026. At Largo Sandro Pertini, the stalls of the town's historic porchettari line up, preparing the famous roast pork sandwich alongside other specialties of Campanian cuisine. Entry to the area is free, and the stalls remain open from the afternoon until late at night, with morning openings on holidays. In addition to the food, there are artisan and vintage markets and exhibitions of vintage objects and historical photographs dedicated to the Fucarazzo, which recount the visual memory of the festival.

Free concerts and shows

The festival is also one of the most popular Neapolitan folk music events in the Vesuvius and Agro area: over the years, the stage has hosted beloved artists from Campania such as Franco Ricciardi, Rosario Miraggio, Tony Tammaro, Andrea Sannino, and Alessio, along with comedy shows, folk music groups, and tarantella evenings. All events are free, making the festival a major attraction for the entire province of Naples and neighboring towns in the Sarnese area.

When to go and what to expect

• Period: mid-January, around the January 17th anniversary
• Locations: Largo Sandro Pertini (stalls and stage), Piazza della Libertà and Via Lettere (procession, bonfire, fair)
• Admission: free, for both stalls and concerts
• Must try: the porchetta sandwich prepared by local makers
• Don't miss: the lighting of the bonfire with the Bottari, on the evening of January 16th

Visitors from out of town will find an authentic, highly participatory, and family-friendly village festival, where the January cold is offset by the warmth of the fire and the hospitality of the local community.