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About
Festa di San Nicola 2025 (Feast of Saint Nicholas 2025) will take place between Wednesday, May 7, and Friday, May 9, 2025, in Bari.
The Feast of Saint Nicholas is a religious celebration which takes place every year in May, in Bari, for three consecutive days.
Festa di San Nicola is much more than a religious observance – it’s a vibrant cultural festival that brings together locals and pilgrims from around the world.
The event features religious processions, historical reenactments, music, fireworks, and traditional cuisine, making it a unique blend of faith, history, and community spirit.
SAN NICOLA
The feast is dedicated to Nicholas of Myra, also known as Nicholas of Bari, an early Christian bishop of Greek descent who lived between the years 270 and 343.
Saint Nicholas is a beloved figure in both Western and Eastern Christian traditions.
In Western Christianity, he is best known as the protector of children, sailors, and the poor. In Eastern Orthodoxy, he is venerated as a miracle worker and one of the most important saints.
In Europe, he is celebrated on December 6, the day of his death.
SHORT HISTORY OF FESTA DI SAN NICOLA
The relics of Saint Nicholas were originally located in the Greek city of Myra, in Lycia. After the city had fallen into Muslim hands, in the Western world arose the desire to bring them to safety.
The relics were transported to Bari and Venice in the 11th century, following two separate robberies.
The first translation was carried out by 66 sailors from Bari, including the priests Lupo and Grimoldo, who left with three ships. The remains of the Saint arrived in Bari on May 9, 1087.
The abbot Elia, who would later become bishop of Bari, promoted the construction of a new church dedicated to the Saint, the current Basilica of Saint Nicholas.
The church was consecrated in 1089 by Pope Urban II, on the occasion of the placement of the relics under the altar of the crypt.
Festa di San Nicola commemorates this historic event, celebrating both the saint’s life and the city’s proud maritime tradition.
Over the centuries, the feast has grown to become one of the most significant religious events in Italy, attracting thousands of visitors, including Orthodox Christians who hold Saint Nicholas in high regard.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR FESTA DI SAN NICOLA 2025
Festa di San Nicola 2025 will be a multi-day event filled with religious ceremonies, historical reenactments, music, and street festivities. Here’s a breakdown of the key events that will take place during the festival.
May 7 – The Historical Reenactment of the Arrival of the Relics
The festival will kick off on May 7 with a historical reenactment of the arrival of Saint Nicholas’s relics in Bari.
The event will consist in a spectacular procession that will start at the city’s port and continue through the streets of the old town.
Participants, dressed as medieval sailors, nobles, and clergy, will accompany a statue of Saint Nicholas, recreating the moment when his relics were first brought to Bari in 1087.
The procession will be accompanied by music, drum beats, and cheers from the crowd.
This reenactment is a powerful reminder of Bari’s historical and spiritual connection to Saint Nicholas.
May 8 – The Solemn Procession and the Sea Procession
On May 8, the focus will shift to religious ceremonies. The day will begin with a solemn Mass at the Basilica di San Nicola, attended by local authorities, clergy, and thousands of pilgrims.
Following the Mass, the statue of Saint Nicholas will be carried out of the basilica and paraded through the streets of Bari in a grand procession.
One of the most iconic moments of the festival will be the sea procession, during which the statue of Saint Nicholas will be placed on a boat and taken out to sea.
This ritual symbolizes the saint’s protection of sailors and fishermen, as well as Bari’s deep maritime roots.
The sea procession will be followed by prayers and blessings, with hundreds of boats accompanying the statue on the water.
May 9 – The Feast Day and Fireworks
The final day of the festival, May 9, will be dedicated to celebrating Saint Nicholas’s feast day.
The day will begin with a solemn Mass and will continue with various cultural events, including traditional music performances, street food fairs, and art exhibitions.
In the evening, the festival will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display over the sea, illuminating the sky and marking the end of the celebrations.
The fireworks show is a highlight of the festival, drawing crowds to the waterfront to witness the dazzling spectacle.
BEYOND THE FEAST OF SAINT NICHOLAS
Throughout the festival, Bari’s streets will be filled with the sounds of traditional Pugliese music and folk dances, including the popular pizzica and tarantella.
Local bands and musicians will perform in the squares, creating a festive ambiance that invites everyone to join in the celebrations.
No Italian festival will be complete without food, and Festa di San Nicola 2025 will be no exception. Visitors can sample a variety of local delicacies, including:
- Panzerotti – Fried dough pockets filled with mozzarella and tomato.
- Orecchiette con le cime di rapa – A traditional pasta dish made with orecchiette and turnip greens.
- Sgagliozze – Fried polenta squares, a popular street food in Bari.
- Focaccia Barese – A soft and fluffy focaccia topped with tomatoes, olives, and oregano.
Street vendors will line the streets, offering these delicious treats to festival-goers, making the event a true culinary experience. -
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