Santa Maria Stella Maris Festival

Stella Maris 2025 in Vieste

The 2025 Santa Maria Stella Maris Festival enlivened Vieste during the first weekend of September, from September 5th to 7th, with religious events at the SS. Sacramento parish and public festivities at the port.

The preparation period began with the enthronement of the Madonna's statue and the evening novena. On September 5th, the mass with the offering of flowers to the Madonna took place, followed by the opening of the fish festival at the south pier and a folk performance. September 6th marked the most solemn moment: the mass, the procession through the streets of the center, and the sea blessing with the casting of the wreath in memory of those lost at sea, followed by the town band parade and a musical evening. On Sunday, September 7th, amidst children's games, a comedy show, and a lottery draw, the festival concluded with fireworks at midnight over the tourist port.

Religious rites

• August 28 — Enthronement of the statue with a battery of fireworks (6:30 PM)
• August 29 - September 5 — Novena and evening mass (7:00 PM)
• September 5 — Mass with offering of flowers to the Madonna (7:00 PM)
• September 6 — Solemn mass (5:00 PM), procession through the center, and sea blessing with wreath casting for those lost at sea
• September 7 — Holy masses (10:00 AM and 7:00 PM)

Public festivities

• August 31 — "Maria, Stella del Mare" concert with the Gargano Music Trio
• September 1 — Children's drawing exhibition
• September 4 — "Il Chicco d'Oro" singing competition (8:30 PM)
• September 5 — Opening of the fish festival at the south pier; folk performance (8:30 PM)
• September 6 — Town band parade (3:30 PM); musical evening with DJ (10:30 PM)
• September 7 — Children's games, comedy show, lottery draw, and fireworks at midnight over the tourist port