The patron saint of Fano is Saint Paterniano, or Patrignano, born in the town around 275 and who died, also in Fano, on 13 November 360: he was most probably the town's first bishop, and is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church not only as patron of Fano, but also of the Marche towns of Grottammare and Cervia. The religious feast in his honour is celebrated on 10 July.
Fano is known above all for its Carnival, among the oldest in Italy: it is held over the three Sundays preceding Lent along Viale Gramsci, with the traditional parade of allegorical floats. Every year, on the first Sunday of August, the Festa del Mare is celebrated instead, a traditional summer commemoration of Fano's dead at sea, when a procession of boats sets sail from the old harbour to lay a laurel wreath offshore in their memory. In the last days of August, in the streets near the Sassonia seafront, the historic Fiera di San Bartolomeo town fair is finally held.
