Events in Saracena

July-August: "Estate Saracenara" (organized by the local municipality)
Various events featuring performances, music, and culture.
Saracinema (organized by the youth association "Una Voce in Più"): Various evenings with initiatives held in the charming historic center (performances, gastronomy, and culture).
Mountain Festival (August 15th, at the Novacco Plateau, organized by the Pro-Loco): Celebrating mountain traditions with music and local specialties.

December 8th: "Festa di Perciavutta" (organized by the Pro-Loco): The day dedicated to tasting the "new wine." The Pro-Loco organizes various "tasting points" in the historic center, with the participation of folk groups.

February 19-20: San Leone Festival (Patron Saint of Saracena).
This is the most important event of the year. On the eve (February 19th), a festive torchlight procession takes place through the town streets (starting and ending at the Church of San Leone) with traditional singing and musical instruments.
After the procession, huge bonfires ("Fucarazzi") are lit in every district, burning through the night. Groups of young people and elders, with accordions and guitars, go from neighborhood to neighborhood offering local products: cured meats, wine, and the excellent "Moscato di Saracena." This is an ancient festival that has been repeated for centuries, always the same yet always new.

First Sunday of May: Feast of the Crucifix (Church of S. Maria del Gamio).

Third Sunday of May: Feast of Our Lady of the Chain.

Last Sunday of July: Feast of Our Lady of the Fiumara.

Second Sunday of August: Feast of St. Leone.
The Patron Saint is celebrated twice a year (February and August), a special tradition unique to Saracena.

December 8th: Immaculate Conception.

Saracena (CS), a small town in the Pollino region, is a member of the network of Wine Cities. It celebrates the world of wine and Calabrian agri-food products with a three-day event full of tastings, meetings, and workshops with prominent personalities and industry experts.
Every year, a Festival dedicated to wine is held, providing an important showcase for promoting and enhancing the local agricultural productions of the Pollino area and the entire region. The event serves as a platform for dialogue between regional operators and sector experts. The event's program is rich and varied, involving winemakers, chefs, food artisans, farmers, shepherds, and breeders as ambassadors of Calabrian excellence.
A key focus of the festival is always the Moscato Passito di Saracena, a Slow Food presidium.