Events and festivals in Silvi Marina
Lu Ciancialone and the feast of San Leone
The Ciancialone is a huge bundle of dry reeds raised and burned during the celebrations for San Leone. The community takes part in every stage, from gathering the material to building and lifting the structure with ropes and ladders. Once lit in the evening, the fire becomes the focus of the village celebration, accompanied by music and local food.
The tradition recalls Leone, a heroic young man from Silvi, and the legend of the Saracen pirates. In the story passed down through the generations, he faced the attackers with a torch that became extraordinarily bright. Believing an army was approaching, the invaders retreated. This devotional folk tale belongs to the village’s collective memory.
The event’s appeal comes from the meeting of the fire ritual, the patron saint and the intimate setting of the old town. Music and dancing accompany the flames until they die out. The celebration belongs to late May; consult the annual San Leone programme for the date and time of the lighting.
Where it takes place
Piazza Largo della Porta, Silvi Paese. The celebration takes place in the hilltop village, beside the Church of the Most Holy Saviour. From the coast, head up to Silvi Paese: the fire ritual takes place in the village square.
Sunny Slide Swing Fest
Sunny Slide Swing Fest brings swing music and dancing to Silvi Marina, with concerts, social dances, classes and competitions. Enthusiasts and international teachers gather for disciplines including Lindy Hop, Balboa, Solo Jazz and Blues. Activities take place on the beach, at beach clubs and in participating accommodation venues.
The 2026 programme runs from 28 May to 2 June, opening with a Thursday pool party. The main area is near Piazza Nenni, with further events spread across bars and hotels. The festival appeals both to dancers and to visitors who prefer listening to the concerts and watching the performances.
When planning your visit, distinguish public performances from lessons and activities requiring registration. Venues, admission and booking depend on the individual event: check which activities are included in your chosen pass on the festival website. Between jam sessions, the beach is only a short walk away.
Where it takes place
Piazza Pietro Nenni, Silvi Marina. The square is a reference point for the main festival area near the beach. Workshops and other evening events may be held in different hotels, beach clubs and bars; the marker does not identify every venue.
Ferragosto and the feast of the Assumption
The sea procession is one of Silvi Marina’s most recognisable celebrations. The tradition dates back to 1975: the statue of the Virgin Mary is taken from the Church of the Assumption towards the coast, then transferred, with Coast Guard support, to a fishing boat for the procession along the shore.
The traditional route heads towards the mouth of the Piomba stream. The celebration includes open-air Mass in Piazza dei Pini, connecting Marian devotion with the town’s fishing community. From the beach, visitors watch the boats pass: this is the moment when the religious feast meets Silvi’s coastal landscape most directly.
The day continues with celebrations and the tradition of night-time fireworks over the sea. To attend the procession or fireworks, consult the annual programme and updates from the municipality and parish: times, boarding arrangements and whether events go ahead also depend on sea conditions.
Fireworks on 15 August 2024 · Antonio Fania
Where it takes place
Piazza dei Pini, Silvi Marina. Piazza dei Pini is the celebration’s gathering point on land and a reference for this stretch of coast. The procession also takes place at sea and extends beyond a single fixed location.
Notte Blu
Notte Blu is a large evening celebration spread throughout central Silvi Marina. Live music, DJ sets, entertainment, shops and food outlets turn a stroll into a succession of events. It is best experienced on foot, moving between the squares and different entertainment spots.
Piazza Marconi is one of the main reference points for musical performances, but the event’s character comes from its spread across several urban spaces. To choose where to spend your evening, read the individual squares’ programmes too: the number and location of stages depend on the edition.
The official calendar lists Notte Blu on 18 August 2026. The main-events programme announces Claudio Guerrini in Piazza Marconi at 10.30 pm. This is the time of his performance, rather than necessarily the start of every activity that evening.
Music and crowds at Notte Blu 2025 · IndipendentTV
Where it takes place
Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, Silvi Marina. The square is a reference point for the musical performance. The celebration also includes other parts of the seafront and town centre, with pedestrian routes arranged for the edition.
Silvi summer events programme 2026
Summer in Silvi unfolds between squares, parks and the seafront. The 2026 main-events programme brings together six music and entertainment dates in July and August; consult VisitSilvi’s calendar for other activities around town.
- 11 July: Gene Gnocchi — Piazza E. Fermi, 10 pm.
- 2 August: Santino Caravella — Parco Peter Pan, 10 pm.
- 6 August: Michele Zarrillo — Piazza dei Pini, 10 pm.
- 14 August: Angela Mosley — Le Dune, 10 pm.
- 18 August: Claudio Guerrini — Piazza Marconi, 10.30 pm.
- 28 August: Diorama Festival — Le Dune, from 8 pm.