The Feast of Our Lady of Liberation in Pietrelcina is one of the most heartfelt and important events for the community. Padre Pio was also deeply attached to the Madonna della Libera, so much so that he affectionately called her "Our Little Madonna."

The people of Pietrelcina celebrate their patron saint on two main occasions: December 3rd and the first Sunday in August.

December 3rd commemorates a miraculous event: the liberation of the town, by the Madonna della Libera, from a devastating cholera epidemic that had caused numerous deaths in the fall of 1854. The community solemnly celebrates this event with a simple and heartfelt procession. It is a time of penance, thanksgiving, and renewed trust in the Madonna for protection from disease and adversity. For the people of Pietrelcina, December 3rd marks the beginning of the Christmas holidays.

The most solemn and impressive celebration takes place on the first Sunday of August: the Grande Festa Patronale (Great Patronal Feast), which attracts not only residents and expatriates from Pietralcina, but also numerous pilgrims and tourists. The festival begins with a traditional novena that culminates in the vigil on Christmas Eve. The day of the feast is marked by a grand procession that winds through the streets of the town, with the statue of the Madonna adorned in her precious golden cloak. The festival's secular program also includes many events, most notably the Monday evening concert, which this year will feature singer Franco Ricciardi.