The patron saint of Cervia is Saint Paternian, most probably the first bishop of Fano, born around 275 and died on 13 November 360: the religious feast in his honour is celebrated every year on 10 July, and he is also venerated as patron saint by the towns of Fano and Grottammare.
Cervia is also known for the International Kite Festival, created in 1981 from an idea by Claudio Capelli and held on the free beach of Lungomare Grazia Deledda on the second-to-last weekend of March, and for the Marriage of the Sea, a tradition dating back to 1445. Among the town's places of worship are the church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Pino and the Pieve di Santo Stefano.
