Settimana Marsicana

The historic festival of Marsica

The Settimana Marsicana is the iconic summer event of Avezzano, a city in the province of L'Aquila, and the entire Marsica district. Its first edition dates back to 1951, when it was created to promote tourism and celebrate the identity of a territory shaped by history, from the 1915 earthquake to the reclamation of the Fucino basin. Since then, the event has established itself as one of the most popular summer gatherings in Abruzzo, attracting thousands of visitors from across the region every year.

A city-wide festival

For one week, the center of Avezzano becomes a vast open-air stage. The heart of the action is Piazza Risorgimento, which hosts major evening concerts, while the streets and squares of the center (via Cataldi, Piazza Torlonia, Arena Mazzini, and the Nicola Irti Conference Hall) host dozens of parallel initiatives. The program, which typically features over forty events, blends diverse genres and audiences:

• Live music: concerts by national artists and tribute bands that bring the evenings in the square to life;
• Art and culture: collective painting exhibitions, watercolor displays, and conferences on local history, environment, and traditions;
• Craft markets and creative stalls along the streets of the center;
• Street food: on the weekend, via Corradini and via Pagani transform into the largest open-air restaurant in Marsica, featuring food trucks and local specialties;
• Street performances: traveling artists, jugglers, chainsaw wood sculptors, and puppet shows for children;
• Sports: the traditional footrace and outdoor activities.

A celebration of identity

Organized by the Pro Loco Avezzano APS in collaboration with the Municipality of Avezzano, the Settimana Marsicana is more than just a series of events; it is a moment of strong collective identity for the Marsica region. Every year, the cultural sections address themes related to the Abruzzo territory, from the history of Fucino to the protection of the mountain environment, offering visitors a unique perspective to understand the soul of this part of inland Abruzzo.

Avezzano and the Marsica region

Situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, just a few kilometers from the Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park, Avezzano is the natural capital of Marsica. Participating in the Settimana Marsicana means discovering a modern city deeply connected to its roots, where the summer festival becomes an opportunity to enjoy the squares, savor local cuisine, and experience the folk traditions of an authentic and welcoming land.