Festa della Stella Maris 2026 – A Sea of Light and Devotion in Camogli

Festa della Stella Maris 2026 will take place on Sunday, August 2, 2026, in the picturesque seaside town of Camogli, one of Liguria’s most evocative maritime destinations.

Festa della Stella Maris is a deeply symbolic religious feast of light, rooted in the ancient seafaring traditions of Camogli.

The celebration is dedicated to Stella Maris, the Star of the Sea, an ancient Marian title that identifies the Madonna as the protector and guiding light of sailors during their journeys at sea.

Every year, this celebration transforms Camogli into a place of collective devotion, memory, and visual wonder. The sea itself becomes a sacred space, illuminated by candles, processions of boats, and reflections of faith that seem to merge heaven and water.

Festa della Stella Maris 2026 will once again bring together fishermen, residents, pilgrims, and visitors in a unique ritual that blends religion, maritime culture, and emotional spectacle.
 

What Is the Date for Festa della Stella Maris 2026?

Festa della Stella Maris is held every year on the first Sunday of August, following a tradition that aligns the celebration with the height of the summer season and the most intense period of maritime activity.

In 2026, the first Sunday of August falls on August 2, making this the official date of Festa della Stella Maris 2026.

The feast unfolds throughout the entire day, beginning in the morning with the boat procession and continuing through the afternoon with public events, before reaching its emotional peak in the evening.

For those planning to attend, August 2, 2026, will be one of the most meaningful days to experience Camogli at its most authentic and spiritually intense.
 

What Is the Location of Festa della Stella Maris 2026?

Festa della Stella Maris 2026 will take place, as tradition dictates, in the beautiful seaside town of Camogli, located along the Ligurian coast.

Camogli is a town of just over 5,000 inhabitants, part of the Metropolitan City of Genoa, in the Italian region of Liguria. Despite its relatively small size, Camogli holds a prominent place in the maritime history of Italy and is widely known for its strong seafaring identity.

The town occupies a valley on the western side of Monte di Portofino, overlooking the stunning Golfo Paradiso. This natural setting gives Camogli its distinctive character: a compact historic center facing the sea, backed by green hills and steep coastal landscapes.

Camogli is located approximately:

• 24 kilometers east of Genoa;
• 155 kilometers northwest of Pisa;
• 205 kilometers south of Milan;
• 225 kilometers southeast of Turin.

 
The geographical position of Camogli has historically made it a natural harbor and a strategic maritime settlement. Its port, beaches, and coastal promontories play a central role during Festa della Stella Maris, transforming the town’s natural environment into a sacred and ceremonial space.

Key locations involved in the celebration include the Port of Camogli, the beach of Camogli, and Punta Chiappa, a rocky promontory located a few kilometers south of the town, at the foot of the Portofino Mountain (Monte di Portofino).

Together, these places form a symbolic route that connects the town, the sea, and the Madonna who watches over sailors.

Short History of Festa della Stella Maris

The modern form of the Festa della Stella Maris dates back to 1924, but the roots of the devotion it celebrates are far older, deeply embedded in the maritime culture of Camogli.

In 1924, Don Nicolò Lavarello, rector of the Church of San Nicolò di Capodimonte, conceived the idea of restoring the statue of the Madonna located on the promontory of Punta Chiappa.

This statue, overlooking the sea, had long served as a spiritual point of reference for sailors navigating the waters of the Ligurian coast.

To mark the restoration, a procession of boats was organized. The event began at the Port of Camogli, where fishermen and townspeople gathered, and continued along the coast to Punta Chiappa.

The statue of the Madonna was accompanied by boats decorated with flags and flowers, creating a powerful visual and spiritual spectacle.

This initiative gave birth to the Festa della Stella Maris as it is known today. However, the veneration of Stella Maris in Camogli can be traced back much further, at least to the 15th century.

As early as the late Middle Ages, the fishermen of Camogli began to entrust themselves to the Madonna under the title of Star of the Sea, invoking her protection before setting sail and giving thanks upon their safe return.

In a time when maritime navigation was dangerous and unpredictable, faith played a crucial role in offering comfort, hope, and a sense of guidance.

Over the centuries, devotion to Stella Maris became an integral part of Camogli’s identity. The sea was not merely a source of livelihood but a space of risk and mystery, and the Madonna was seen as a constant, luminous presence capable of guiding sailors through storms and darkness.

The formalization of the feast in the 20th century transformed this ancient devotion into a collective celebration that preserved its religious essence while also embracing the social and cultural life of the town.
 

Calendar of Events for Festa della Stella Maris 2026

The Calendar of Events for Festa della Stella Maris 2026 follows a traditional structure that unfolds over the course of the entire day, combining religious rituals, maritime processions, popular entertainment, and a spectacular closing ceremony.

 
Morning – The Maritime Procession

On the morning of August 2, at approximately 10:00 am, the most solemn phase of the celebration begins with the procession of boats departing from the Port of Camogli.

Dozens of boats, including fishing vessels and private boats, set sail toward Punta Chiappa, forming a slow and orderly procession along the coastline. The boats are traditionally decorated with flags, flowers, and religious symbols, creating a moving tribute to the Madonna of the Sea.

Leading the procession is the Dragun, a historic boat built in 1968 by the shipbuilder Ido Battistoni. The Dragun holds a special place in the collective memory of Camogli and serves as the symbolic flagship of the maritime procession.

Around 11:00 AM, the flotilla reaches Punta Chiappa, where the Holy Mass is celebrated in an open-air setting overlooking the sea.

This moment represents the spiritual heart of the morning events. Following the Mass, the blessing of the boats takes place, invoking protection for sailors, fishermen, and all those who live and work in close contact with the sea.

 
Afternoon – Games and Maritime Traditions

In the afternoon, the atmosphere becomes more festive and playful, while still maintaining a strong connection to maritime culture.

A series of water-based games are organized, involving both participants and spectators. These activities celebrate physical skill, teamwork, and the enduring relationship between the people of Camogli and the sea.

The afternoon program also includes a parade of boats, offering another opportunity to admire traditional vessels and maritime decorations.

A swimming race further reinforces the athletic and communal spirit of the celebration, engaging younger generations and highlighting the sea as a shared space of identity.

 
Evening – The Feast of Light

The most spectacular and emotionally powerful moment of the Festa della Stella Maris 2026 takes place in the evening.

As darkness falls, thousands of lit candles are gently released onto the water from Camogli Beach. The candles float across the surface of the sea, creating an extraordinary visual effect: the water appears to transform into a mirror of the night sky, shimmering with countless points of light.

This ritual is the purest expression of the feast’s symbolism. Each candle represents a prayer, a memory, or a gesture of gratitude offered to the Madonna. The sea, illuminated by these small flames, becomes a sacred space where faith and nature converge.

The celebration concludes with a fireworks display, lighting up the coastline and the sky above Camogli. The fireworks mark the joyful conclusion of the feast, blending sound, color, and reflection in a final tribute to the Stella Maris.

Festa della Stella Maris 2026 will once again stand as one of Liguria’s most evocative religious celebrations, where devotion, maritime heritage, and light come together in an unforgettable experience on the sea.
 
Sources:

• PuntaChiappa.it