Sant'Erasmo Patronal Festival
The "festival of the outsiders" in Santeramo in Colle: a blend of faith, illuminations, and historical pageantry
About Sant'Erasmo
The most beloved festival in Santeramo in Colle
In the heart of the Bari Murgia, the Sant'Erasmo Patronal Festival is the defining event for Santeramo in Colle, a city in the Province of Bari, Apulia, which bears the name of its patron saint. Each year, between late May and early June, the town is transformed: illuminations light up the main street, brass bands parade through the roads, and thousands of people return to the city to relive a tradition rooted in over a century of history.
The "festival of the outsiders"
The event is known as the "festival of the outsiders": during the days dedicated to Sant'Erasmo, Santeramo welcomes visitors from all over the province, many emigrant residents returning for the occasion, and numerous merchants and stallholders who bring the historic fair to life with the region's gastronomic and artisanal excellence. It is one of the most fascinating gatherings in the Bari area, famous for the lights adorning the main street and the atmosphere of widespread popular participation.
The legend of Sant'Erasmo
According to tradition, the martyr Sant'Erasmo, persecuted in the East during the reign of Diocletian, landed in Brindisi towards the end of the 3rd century and traveled along the Via Appia, which passed through the Matine area just a few kilometers from Santeramo. The saint stopped in these woods, where local farmers and shepherds built a chapel dedicated to him: around it, the Casale di Sant'Erasmo was born, which later became Santeramo. The feast day falls on June 2nd, the anniversary of the saint's death.
The historical pageant and Murgese horses
One of the most spectacular moments is the historical pageant: from the local masserie (farmsteads) come the Murgese horses, a local equine breed known for its calm and proud nature, with braided manes and decorated harnesses. On horseback, knights and ladies in period costumes, accompanied by flag-wavers, precede the triumphal chariot in a visually stunning procession. As dusk falls, the sky over Santeramo lights up with the release of hot-air balloons and grand fireworks that conclude the main day.
Faith, music, and entertainment
The religious heart of the festival is the preparatory triduum and the solemn concelebration on June 2nd, followed by the long procession with the statue of the saint through the city streets, accompanied by brass bands. In the following days, the secular festivities take over with evenings of music, performances in the square, and the major free concerts held in the Industrial Zone, which have featured top-tier artists from the Italian music scene over the years.
Sant'Erasmo — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Sant'Erasmo Patronal Festival in Santeramo in Colle enlivened the city for over three weeks, from May 16 to June 6, culminating in the solemnity of June 2. Alongside moments of faith — the triduum preached by Friar Marco Mascolo, the concelebration presided over by Bishop Giuseppe Russo, and the procession through the illuminations — the secular program featured the historical pageant with Murgese horses, the release of hot-air balloons, grand nighttime fireworks, and a series of musical evenings in the square. Grand finale on June 6 with the free concert by Giusy Ferreri.
Programme Sant'Erasmo 2026
May 16-23 — Opening and prayer
- Opening week with the recitation of the rosary, holy masses, and the concert by the Parish Choir "Al Signore Canteremo" for their 20 years of liturgical service.
- May 17 — Procession with the image of Sant'Erasmo from the Carmine Church to the Mother Church, accompanied by the "Umberto Minervini" Band.
- May 23 — Feast of Mary Help of Christians with oratory games and procession.
May 29-31 — Triduum and vigil
- May 29-30 — Preparatory triduum preached by Friar Marco Mascolo (Capuchin); sports tournaments.
- May 31 — Live concert by the band "Disconest" (70s-80s-90s music); placement of the saint's image on the decorated platform and lighting of the illuminations.
June 2 — Main day
- 07:30 — Diana (morning wake-up call) and holy mass
- 09:00 — Solemn concelebration presided over by Bishop Giuseppe Russo
- 10:30 — Handing over of the city keys to the patron saint
- 11:00 — Grand procession through the city streets with two concert bands
- 18:00 — Release of hot-air balloons
- 19:00 — Performance by the Cultural Association "I Crociati" of Cassano delle Murge
- 21:00 — Historical pageant in period costume and departure of the triumphal chariot
- 01:30 — Grand fireworks display at the Industrial Zone
June 3-6 — Musical evenings
- June 3 — Musical event "Insolito POP"; return of the saint's image to the Carmine Church.
- June 4 — "Fashion and Music in the Square".
- June 5 — "Music Rewards Enterprise".
- June 6 — Free concert by Giusy Ferreri in the Industrial Zone concert area (via Puglia): from 19:00 DJ set by Atmans and opening of food and wine stands, at 21:00 presentation, at 21:30 concert begins. Shuttle service from the city center is active.
Highlights Sant'Erasmo 2026
Prices Sant'Erasmo 2026
Practical information — Sant'Erasmo
Getting there
Santeramo in Colle is located on the Murgia plateau, in the Province of Bari. By car, it can be reached via the SS 96 and the SP road connected to Gioia del Colle and Altamura. The nearest train station is served by the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane; from Bari, connections are also available via STP bus lines.
Traffic and shuttles
During the main days of the festival (late May - early June), there are planned diversions for STP bus lines and traffic changes in the town center. For the major concerts in the Industrial Zone (via Puglia), a free shuttle service operates from the city center.
Admission
Religious celebrations, the procession, the historical pageant, fireworks, and evening concerts are all free to attend.
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Where does it take place — Sant'Erasmo
Chiesa Madre, corso cittadino e Zona Industriale