L’Aquila’s event calendar revolves around two anchors: the UNESCO-recognised Perdonanza Celestiniana in late August, and a string of winter Christmas markets and ski-season events that animate the cold months. Between these poles, spring and autumn bring food sagre, university traditions, and mountain sports competitions. Here is every notable event, with dates, locations, and what to expect. See our L’Aquila weather by month.
L’Aquila Events and Festivals: Perdonanza Celestiniana (August 23-29)
The Perdonanza is the city’s defining event and the oldest jubilee in Christian history, established by Pope Celestine V in 1294 and recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019. For one week each August, L’Aquila transforms into a festival city. The formal ceremonies centre on the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, where the Holy Door opens on the evening of August 28 for 24 hours. Anyone who passes through it receives a plenary indulgence. The preceding week features the Corteo della Bolla (procession of the papal bull) with 800+ participants in medieval costume, a historical parade from the Spanish Fort to Collemaggio on August 28, concerts in the fort’s courtyard, and the Palio delle Antiche Contrade (a historical competition between the city’s four quarters). The event peaks on the evening of August 28 with the Fiaccolata (torchlight procession) and the opening of the Holy Door at midnight. Book accommodation 3-4 months ahead for Perdonanza week; the city’s hotel capacity is limited after the 2009 earthquake. See our best time to visit L’Aquila.
L’Aquila Events and Festivals: Winter Events (December to February)
Christmas Markets (Mercatini di Natale): From the first weekend of December through January 6, Piazza del Duomo and Corso Vittorio Emanuele host wooden stalls selling local crafts, torrone (nougat), Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine, and arrosticini grilled on-site. The markets run daily 10:00-20:00. A small ice-skating rink sets up on Piazza Santa Maria Paganica (December 8 to January 10, 5 EUR including skate rental). See our things to do in L’Aquila.
Festa di Sant’Agnese (January 21): The feast of L’Aquila’s co-patron saint begins with a morning mass at the Church of Sant’Agnese and continues with a procession through the centro storico. Local bakeries sell ciambelline di Sant’Agnese (ring-shaped anise cookies) only on this day. See our L’Aquila neighborhoods guide.
Carnevale Aquilano (February/March, date varies): A family-oriented Carnevale with children’s costume parades on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, mask-making workshops at the Palazzetto dei Nobili, and the traditional burning of the Carnevale puppet in Piazza Duomo on Shrove Tuesday. See our where to stay in L’Aquila.
Gran Sasso Winter Sports Events: Campo Imperatore hosts the Coppa del Gran Sasso (amateur ski race) in late January and the Moonlight Ski event (night skiing with torches and mulled wine) on the Saturday closest to the full moon in January and February. Campo Felice runs the Vertical Kilometer race (ski mountaineering) in early March. See our L’Aquila travel tips guide.
L’Aquila Events and Festivals: Spring Events (March to May)
Easter Week (Settimana Santa, March or April): The Good Friday procession (Processione del Cristo Morto) winds through the darkened streets of the centro storico with hundreds of participants carrying candles and a 17th-century wooden Christ figure. On Easter Sunday, the Scoppio del Carro (explosion of the cart) in Piazza Duomo is a smaller version of Florence’s famous event.
Festa di San Pietro Celestino (May 19): A quieter religious observance marking the feast day of Pope Celestine V (born Pietro da Morrone). A morning mass at Santa Maria di Collemaggio is followed by the opening of the Holy Door for the day. Far fewer visitors than the August Perdonanza.
Maggio Aquilano (May, weekends): A month-long series of open-air concerts, theatre performances, and art exhibitions in the courtyards and piazzas of the centro storico. Organised by the University of L’Aquila’s cultural association. Most events are free. The programme is published on the Comune dell’Aquila website in late April.
L’Aquila Events and Festivals: Summer Events (June to August)
I Cantieri dell’Immaginario (July, 10 days): L’Aquila’s summer arts festival fills the Spanish Fort courtyard, the Teatro Comunale, and outdoor stages across the city with theatre, dance, jazz concerts, and contemporary circus. Launched in 2011 as part of the post-earthquake cultural revival, it now draws national and international performers. Most events cost 5-15 EUR. Schedule released in June on cantieriimmaginario.it.
Gran Sasso Mountain Running (late July): The Gran Sasso Sky Race is a 28 km trail running event from Fonte Cerreto (1,100 m) to Corno Grande (2,912 m) and back, with 2,500 m of elevation gain. Even if you’re not running, the start/finish area at Fonte Cerreto is a lively scene with food stalls and outdoor bars on race day.
Jazz per la Ricostruzione (early August): A free jazz festival in Piazza Duomo, launched after the 2009 earthquake as a fundraiser for rebuilding efforts. Now in its second decade, it books Italian jazz names and the occasional international act. Four evenings in early August, starting at 21:00.
L’Aquila Events and Festivals: Autumn Food Sagre (September to November)
Sagra della Castagna (October, various weekends): Chestnut festivals pop up across the mountain villages around L’Aquila. The largest is in Roccaraso (65 km south, on weekends throughout October), where you can eat roasted chestnuts, chestnut flour cakes, and drink vin brulé (mulled wine) in the alpine-style village square. Within L’Aquila itself, the Sagra della Castagna e del Fungo Porcino in the San Giacomo neighbourhood runs on the third weekend of October, celebrating chestnuts and porcini mushrooms with food stalls and live folk music.
Fiera del Tartufo (early November, Santo Stefano di Sessanio): The truffle fair in Santo Stefano di Sessanio (30 km east) is the region’s premier truffle event, drawing white and black truffle hunters and dealers from across Abruzzo. Truffle-tasting menus at the village’s restaurants run 30-50 EUR per person. Free entry to the fair itself.
Festa di San Massimo (June 10): The feast of L’Aquila’s patron saint includes a morning procession from the Duomo to the Church of San Massimo, a traditional market along Corso Federico II, and evening fireworks over the city walls. It’s a local rather than tourist-oriented event, giving a genuine look at civic life.
