Assisi marks 800 years of St. Francis: event schedule and practical info

Assisi marks 800 years of St. Francis: main events and visitor information

Throughout 2026 Assisi presents a broad calendar of over eighty initiatives dedicated to the 800th anniversary of St. Francis. The program focuses on the city’s monumental and artistic heritage, combining cultural, scientific and community activities aimed at both local and international visitors.

Main events

• 4 July 2026 – "Ascent to the mountain": a sensory walk on Monte Subasio.
• 4-9 August 2026 – "DeMusicAssisi" festival: concerts, conferences and seminars on medieval music and the relation between art and spirituality.
• 28-30 August 2026 – "Francis in the Madonnari art": collective street-art performance at the lower square of the Basilica of St. Francis.
• 6 September 2026 – Commemorative Cavalcade of Satriano in collaboration with nearby Umbrian municipalities.
• 20-22 September 2026 – "Assisi 4 Life": sports, wellness and outdoor activities on Monte Subasio.
• 24-25 September 2026 – WTE (World Tourism Event) at Palazzo Monte Frumentario, an international fair focused on UNESCO sites.
• 3-4 October 2026 – Extraordinary Franciscan festivities with public ceremonies and national and international guests.
• 22-24 October 2026 – Sacred theatre festival featuring historical and contemporary productions.

Cultural and scientific projects

Highlights include the cataloguing and digitization of the ancient holdings of the municipal library at the Sacro Convento, major exhibitions and critical publications on Franciscan sources. These interventions aim to enhance scholarly access and public knowledge of the city’s archival and artistic assets.

Territory promotion and community engagement

The national campaign emphasises Franciscan values such as inclusiveness and environmental respect. Municipal grants have backed local initiatives—educational workshops, photographic exhibitions and itinerant performances—targeting schools, families and associations. Commemorative coins and a special postal cancellation are also planned.

How to attend

Some events are free, others require reservations or tickets. For the latest information on schedules, registration and ticketing consult the official channels of the Municipality of Assisi and the partner institutions organising individual events.

Location

Place: Piazza Inferiore di S. Francesco 2, 06081 Assisi (PG), Italy.
Coordinates: 43.0749709, 12.6054003