Assisi marks 800 years since St. Francis: over eighty events in 2026

Assisi marks 800 years since St. Francis: main program and highlights

In 2026 Assisi will commemorate eight centuries since the death of St. Francis with a program of more than eighty initiatives throughout the year. The calendar is designed to enhance the UNESCO World Heritage site, encourage sustainable tourism and explore the city's cultural, artistic and spiritual legacy.

Event profile: public celebrations, cultural appointments, scientific projects, music festivals and territory-wide activities involving local authorities, Franciscan communities, the diocese and civic associations.

Main events

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

Cultural and scientific initiatives

Key projects include the scientific cataloguing and digitisation of the municipal library's ancient holdings housed at the Sacred Convent, making manuscripts and early printed works available to international researchers. Major exhibitions, such as Michelangelo Pistoletto's "Franciscus. Fratello in arte", and critical reprints of historic Franciscan texts are also planned.

Tourism promotion and local engagement

The national promotion campaign titled "Sìamo Francesco" aims to present Assisi through Franciscan values: inclusion, care for the environment and fraternity. The municipality allocated funds for local projects: twenty-four initiatives received grants, including educational workshops, photographic exhibitions and itinerant performances. Commemorative coins and a special philatelic cancellation are also planned.

Why attend

• Discover Assisi's UNESCO site through accessible events and scholarly research.
• A varied program combining spirituality, art, music and family activities.
• Initiatives focused on sustainable tourism and open to an international audience.

For updates on individual events, participation rules and ticketing, consult the official channels of the Municipality and the partner organisations managing each activity.