Santa Barbara Fair

The 2025 Fair

On December 3rd and 4th, 2025, Rieti came to a standstill, as is tradition, for the Santa Barbara Fair. Local news reported a large crowd among the stalls and the usual closure of schools on the patron saint's day, despite the construction sites affecting some central arteries.

The day of December 4th began at 10:30 AM at the municipal cemetery with the laying of a laurel wreath at the firefighters' monument, followed at 11:30 AM by a Eucharistic celebration with the National Fire Corps in the church of San Michele Arcangelo. At 4:30 PM, in the Council Chamber, the presentation "From the church of San Benedetto to the Civic Museum of Rieti" was held, dedicated to the restored paintings of Emanuele Alfani.

At 5:30 PM, the lighting of the holiday lights on the Velino river offered one of the most evocative moments of the celebrations, while at 6:00 PM the Cathedral hosted the solemn Eucharistic concelebration presided over by Bishop Vito Piccinonna. Throughout the day, the Santa Cecilia Brass Band of Cittaducale, conducted by maestro Rosella Scopigno, enlivened the historic center.

December 4th, 2025 — 10:30 AM Rieti cemetery: laying of the laurel wreath at the firefighters' monument; 11:30 AM church of San Michele Arcangelo: Eucharistic celebration with the National Fire Corps; 4:30 PM Council Chamber: presentation "From the church of San Benedetto to the Civic Museum of Rieti" with the restored paintings of Emanuele Alfani; 5:30 PM Velino river: lighting of the holiday lights; 6:00 PM Cathedral: solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Vito Piccinonna. Throughout the day: Santa Cecilia Brass Band of Cittaducale in the historic center. Fair stalls on December 3rd and 4th on Viale Maraini, Via L. Di Benedetto, Piazza Angelucci, Via Molino della Salce, Via F.lli Cervi, Piazzale Foro Boario, and Lungovelino Don G. Olivieri.

Lighting of the holiday lights on the Velino; firefighters' celebration for their patron saint; solemn concelebration in the Cathedral with Bishop Vito Piccinonna; Santa Cecilia Brass Band of Cittaducale in the historic center.