Ghisonaccia Festival
Patronal festival in Ghisonaccia, Haute-Corse
2026
About Ghisonaccia Festival
The Fête de Ghisonaccia is the town's patronal festival, known as a Festa di a San Michele. It is celebrated on September 29th, the feast day of Saint Michael, the patron saint of both the parish and the village in Haute-Corse. The date reflects the traditional calendar of the shepherds from the Pieve di Castellu, who would return from the mountain pastures at the end of the summer transhumance.
Ghisonaccia Festival — edition 2026
Ghisonaccia celebrates Saint-Michel on September 29th, the fixed date for its patronal festival: a mass at the Saint-Michel church, a procession through the streets with invited brotherhoods, followed by a musical aperitif and a Corsican dinner in the evening. The 2026 schedule has not yet been released by the town hall.
Saint-Michel Festival 2026 in Ghisonaccia
Saint Michael is the patron saint of both the parish and the town. His feast day, a Festa di a San Michele, falls on September 29th, and the Ghisonaccia town hall celebrates it on this date regardless of the day of the week: it was a Saturday in 2018, a Tuesday in 2020, a Wednesday in 2021, a Thursday in 2022, a Sunday in 2024, and a Monday in 2025. In 2026, September 29th falls on a Tuesday.
The 2026 program has not yet been published
As of mid-August 2026, neither the town hall nor the Corse Orientale Fium'Orbu Castellu intercommunal tourist office has released the schedule for this year's event. The town usually announces the festival about ten days in advance: the 2024 program was released on September 19th, and the 2022 program on September 17th. Times for the mass, the procession, and the evening meal should be confirmed with the town hall at 04 95 56 15 10.
What the town celebrates
The date originates from the pastoral calendar of the eastern plains. Shepherds from the Pieve di Castellu would leave the mountains of Ghisoni and Central Corsica to return to the coast during September, and Saint-Michel marked the end of the summer transhumance and a time for families to reunite.
Highlights Ghisonaccia Festival 2026
- Patronal festival of Ghisonaccia, celebrated on September 29th, Saint-Michel's Day
- Mass at the Saint-Michel church followed by a procession through the streets with invited brotherhoods
- Musical aperitif and Corsican dinner in the evening, by reservation at the town hall
- 2026 schedule not published as of mid-August
Programme Ghisonaccia Festival 2026
Tuesday, September 29th, 2026
The schedule for the 2026 edition has not yet been published. The Ghisonaccia town hall releases its program about ten days before the festival.
The format changes little from year to year: a mass at the Saint-Michel church, a procession through the streets with invited brotherhoods, a friendly drink offered by the municipality, followed by a musical aperitif and a Corsican dinner in the evening, by reservation at the town hall. Depending on the year, this may include a parachute jump, as Saint Michael is also the patron saint of paratroopers, or a concert hosted by the town.
For reference, the 2025 edition
Here is the program from Monday, September 29th, 2025, as released by the intercommunal tourist office. These times do not apply to 2026.
- 5:00 PM — Mass at the Saint-Michel church, followed by the procession and a friendly drink offered by the municipality
- 7:00 PM — Aperitif at the village hall with music and Corsican songs, continuing throughout the evening
- 8:30 PM — Corsican dinner: appetizer, veal main course, cheese, and dessert, drinks included, 35 € per person. Limited seating, reservations at the town hall at 04 95 56 15 10
Prices Ghisonaccia Festival 2026
Practical information — Ghisonaccia Festival
Practical information
Location
Saint-Michel Church, the village hall, and the town hall square in Ghisonaccia (20240), Haute-Corse.
Access
Ghisonaccia is accessible by road on the eastern plain. Parking is available near the town center.
Prices
Mass, the procession, and the friendly reception are free to attend. The evening meal requires payment and must be booked at the town hall, as space is limited.
Contact
Mairie de Ghisonaccia — Place de l'Hôtel de ville, 20240 Ghisonaccia — 04 95 56 15 10 — ghisonaccia.fr
Office de tourisme intercommunal Corse Orientale Fium'Orbu Castellu — 04 95 56 12 38
A Festa di a San Michele, the patronal festival of Ghisonaccia
Saint Michael is the patron saint of the parish and the town of Ghisonaccia, in Haute-Corse. The town hall schedules the festival for September 29th, regardless of which day of the week it falls on.
A date rooted in transhumance
The town holds a piece of the history of the eastern plains. When winter approached, shepherds would leave the mountains of Ghisoni and Central Corsica to bring their livestock to the coast for the season, returning from the high pastures in September. Saint Michael's Day marked this return and the reunion of families, which is why the festival is held at this time.
The program
Mass is celebrated at the Saint-Michel church, followed by a procession through the town streets. Confraternities from other towns are invited to attend, such as those from Pietralba, Saint Joseph de Bastia, Pietrabugno, Balagne, or Pianello, depending on the year. The municipality then hosts a friendly reception. In the evening, the community gathers for an aperitif with music and a Corsican meal, featuring traditional island songs and music. Seating is limited, and reservations must be made at the town hall.
Saint Michael is also the patron saint of paratroopers: several editions have kicked off with a jump by the Serena Parachutisme association, landing in the courtyard of the old school. The municipality has also organized free concerts in certain years, such as Doria Ousset in 2018 and Antoine Ciosi in 2022.
Where does it take place — Ghisonaccia Festival
Ghisonaccia Festival in brief
History of Ghisonaccia Festival
Edition 2025 Jul 2025Other festivals near Ghisonaccia
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