Fairs and Festivals

Cappelle Sultana: Palio of the Puppets: giant puppets form a procession through the town, than explode in a shower of fireworks (August).

Cappelli Sul Tavo: Palio del Pupo – Costumed Races (August).

Casalbordino: 9-11 June: Feast of Madonna dei Miracoli.
This Sanctuary is mentioned by the famous poet Gabriele D’Annunzio in his work  Trionfo della Morte.

Celano: Costumed Procession and Fireworks (late August).

Cepagatti: Historical Parade with Floats, Fireworks and Celebrations (August).

Citta Sant’Angelo: Carnival Parade of F loats (February).

Cocullo: Festa dei Serpari –    Snakes Hunters Festival (1st May)

Cocullo’s snakes festival is considered one of the most famous events not only in Abruzzo but in Italy as a whole. It is dedicated to the figure of San Domenico Abate, protector of the village (as well as of teeth and rabies). The ritual has been taking place for many centuries.
In  March the snakes hunters go near Cocullo in search of snakes. They  keep them inside wooden cases feeding them with live mice.
On the morning mass, people pull with their teeths, the bell of the chapel of San Domenico.

( This is to protect teeths from diseases…)

The statue of the saint is transported in the streets of the town and is covered by captured snakes.
At the side of the statue two girls dressed traditionally carry a basket with five sacred breads. At the end the snakes are restored to their natural habitat.

Colle di Macine  ( Chieti ):
    August 11: Feast of St. Mariano

Fara Filiorum Petri: Farchie Festival: giant torches illuminate this festival for
St. Anthony (January)

Francavilla a Mare: Carnival Festivities (Februany).

Good Friday Procession (sunset, Good Friday).

Lanciano: Medieval Pageant and Horse Race (September).

L’Aquila: Pope Celestinos Pardon Ceremonies (August).

Loreto Aprutino: Procession of the Ox: this beautifuily costumed procession      culminates when an ox kneels before the statue of St. Zopito (Monday after Pentecost).

One of the highlights of Pratola is its annual Festival of the Madonna della Libera, a 10 days festival in early May, that has to be seen to be believed.
(The official feast day is the first Sunday in May).

Pacentro: Festival of the Madonna of Loreto,  with a traditional bare-foot gupsy race
( first Sunday of September) 

Picciano: Traditional Befana Festival (January).

Plowing Festival: re-enactment of a 17th century custom, culminating with a race to plow the  most perfect furrow (last Saturday in August).

Popoli: Trout and Shrimp Festival (August).  

Pratola Peligna: Madonna della Libera

One of the highlights of Pratola is its annual Festival of the Madonna della Libera, a 10 days festival in early May, that has to be seen to be believed.
(The official feast day is the first Sunday in May).

Thousands of people descend on the town, many returning to visit family and friends. On the weekends especially the streets are a sea of people – a truly exciting and electric atmosphere! The streets are beautifully decorated with arches of lights. You begin to hear brass bands playing throughout the day. There is an extra large market and street vendors selling the local delicacies hot porchetta and warm roasted peanuts. Almost every evening there is entertainment in the main piazza including concerts, street dancing and brass bands playing classical music in a specially erected band shell.

A fireworks display on the last Saturday night of the festivat is more spectacular than probably any that you have ever seen. And of course there are the religious processions and events. Some of the highlights include the welcoming of the pilgrims who walk 42 km from Gioia de Marsi and the procession of the statue of La Madonna out of the church and through the narrow winding streets of the town.

Rivisondoli: Living Nativity Scene: hundreds of costumed figures re-enact the arrival of the Three Kings     at the manger ( January )

Rocca di Mezzo: Daffodil Festival: folklore dances, presentations and a parade  flowery floats to celebrate the arrival of spring (last Sunday in May).

 San Valentino: Frittata Festival (Good Friday).

 Scanno: Bonfire Festival: enormous bonfires are lit on the surrounding hillsides to commemorate St.  Martin (November).

Sulmona: La Madonna in Piazza: medieval folklore event culminating in a staged pageant (Easter Sunday).

Villa Santa Maria: Culinary Festival: world-famous chefs who hail from the region gather for a three-day demonstration of their skills, based on techniques and recipes that date back over centuries (October).      

Villamagna: The Turks and St. Margarita Historical Re-enactment (July).