Acerno Expo

Acerno Expo, the showcase of the Monti Picentini

Acerno Expo is an exhibition fair that the Municipality of Acerno, in the province of Salerno, dedicates to its territory: the Monti Picentini, the mountain range that borders the Sele plain to the north and represents one of the most important reservoirs of water and woodland in Campania. The organizers' goal is clear and consistent across editions: to promote the Monti Picentini area, local businesses, and traditional products, bringing back those who have moved away for a few days and attracting visitors from the Salerno coast and nearby Irpinia.

A young event, established in 2024

The first edition took place on July 20 and 21, 2024, on the initiative of the Vivi Acerno and Acli Villaggio San Francesco associations, led by Donato Cuozzo and Alfonso Boniello and supported by a committee of a dozen volunteers. The success of that debut convinced the organizers to expand the format: the second edition grew to three days and was moved to the period between the end of May and the June 2nd bank holiday, from May 31 to June 2, 2025.

The flavors of the woods and mountains

The gastronomic heart of the fair is the tasting of Acerno products, those born in the chestnut groves and pastures around the town. At the stands, you can find:

• wild strawberries, one of Acerno's signature products;
• truffles gathered in the Picentini woods;
• mushrooms, particularly porcini;
• local mountain potatoes;
• cheeses, cured meats, and other products from local farms.

Alongside the producers, companies, artisans, and industrial entities from the area exhibit their work: Acerno Expo is not just a village festival, but a true trade fair with a promotional and economic function, designed to connect mountain businesses with a wider audience.

Folk music, dance, and theater

The evening program focuses heavily on folk music and local groups: folk singing and dancing troupes, the town band, dance performances, and comedy nights. In 2025, the lineup included the Paranza ro Tramuntan group for the opening, the folk concert by Manuel Scarpitta and folk band, the Gruppo Lanternina Folk roaming the town center, the High Level Band, and comedian Nello Iorio, in addition to a theatrical performance of Alice in Wonderland.

Children, sports, and wellness

The fair is designed for families: throughout the three days, there are inflatables, rides, and street performers, while the Polisportiva Sporting Acerno organizes demonstrations and sports activities. One of the novelties that characterized the event is the area dedicated to psychophysical wellness, with sessions of yoga, shiatsu, and foot reflexology: an unusual choice for a village fair, which fits well with the town's natural setting. The final evening traditionally concludes with a lottery draw.

Acerno, a mountain village in the province of Salerno

Acerno is a small town of a few thousand inhabitants perched at over 700 meters above sea level, within the Monti Picentini Regional Park. It is a land of water and woods, a starting point for excursions towards the beech forests of the Picentini, with a mountain gastronomy very different from that of the Amalfi Coast. For those visiting inland Campania, Acerno Expo is a convenient opportunity to discover producers, artisans, and musical traditions of an area that rarely appears in tourist itineraries.

Who organizes the fair

The organization is entirely entrusted to local volunteers: the Vivi Acerno and Acli Villaggio San Francesco associations coordinate exhibitors, shows, and logistics, with the contribution of the Youth Forum and the Polisportiva Sporting Acerno.

The 2026 edition

At the time of writing, there are no official announcements regarding the dates and program for a third edition of Acerno Expo. The period indicated is therefore purely indicative and follows that of 2025: those who want to be sure can follow the event's Facebook page, where the organizers usually publish the poster a few weeks before the opening.