Fifteen days for the Assunta
From 1 to 15 August 2026 Nicosia celebrates Maria SS. Assunta, in a feast promoted by the Confraternita Maria SS. Assunta together with the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. The fifteen days of prayer open on 31 July and carry the town through to Ferragosto, alternating services in the basilica with music nights in the squares.
The religious programme
Through the fifteen days, from 31 July to 14 August, the Rosary and Chaplet are at 6:20 pm and Mass at 7 pm; on Saturdays and Sundays the rosary is at 6:50 pm and mass at 7:30 pm. The set-piece moments:
- Sunday 2 August, 7:30 pm — entrustment to Mary of the children baptised in 2025/26
- Thursday 6 August, 7:30 pm — Marian Eucharistic adoration
- Sunday 9 August, 7:30 pm — entrustment to Mary of the young people confirmed in 2025/26
- Tuesday 11 August, 7:30 pm — anniversary of the basilica’s dedication and vesting of the confraternity’s novices
- Thursday 13 August, 7:30 pm — vocational Eucharistic adoration
- Friday 14 August, 00:15 — prayer of thanksgiving to Mary at the basilica door
Saturday 15 August, the solemnity: masses at 8 am, at 10:30 am led by the Bishop and at 7 pm, then at 8 pm the solemn procession through the streets of the town.
The music nights
The folk and music programme, run by the confraternity:
- Sunday 2 August, 8:30 pm, Piazza Re Federico — Elders’ Feast, with Salvatore Agozzino’s “La Musica e Vita”
- Tuesday 11 August, 8:30 pm, Largo Mortificati — Agape fraterna with Gli Assi
- Wednesday 12 August, 10 pm, Via Diego Ansaldi — Ultimo tribute band, at Borremans
- Thursday 13 August, 10 pm, Piazza degli Eventi — Time 90 Dance Show
- Friday 14 August, 8:30 pm, Via Conte Ruggiero and Piazza Re Federico — Sagra del Biscotto with Gli Assi
- Saturday 15 August, 10:30 pm — Vasco Rossi tribute band with Ale, il frontman del palco
Good to know
- The music nights are open-air, in the squares of the old town.
- The two sources disagree on the venue of the Ferragosto concert: the confraternity’s programme says Piazza Re Federico, the band’s own poster says Piazza dell’Orologio. Worth checking the organisers’ channels.
