Aiello in Festa

Aiello in Festa, the early September village festival

Aiello in Festa is the popular event that transforms Aiello del Sabato into a small open-air stage every year in early September. Located in Irpinia, within the municipality of Aiello del Sabato (Province of Avellino, Campania), this town of just over four thousand residents lies along the valley of the Sabato river, just a few kilometers from the provincial capital.

This is not a thematic festival or a fair dedicated to a single product: it is a village festival in the most classic sense—a time when the summer calendar closes with evenings filled with music, lights, market stalls, and people staying out until late at night. It is a moment for the community to reconnect, including those who live and work elsewhere.

Live music evenings

The heart of the event lies in the evening concerts, hosted in the large Viale Unità d'Italia parking area, one of the few spots in town capable of accommodating a stage and a large audience. The format, repeated year after year, alternates well-known names in Italian pop music with local bands and shows from the Campania circuit.

In the 2024 edition, the only one with a complete program published online, the lineup included:

• I Cugini di Campagna in concert at 10:30 PM on the opening night;
• the Nico Meoli Show at 8:30 PM, followed by the return of Fuori Onda at 10:30 PM;
• Sciaraball at 8:30 PM and I Malamente at 10:30 PM on the closing night.

The programming reflects the spirit of the festival: a touch of nostalgia with Italian classics, comedy and cabaret, and the popular folk bands that still pack the squares in Irpinia. Shows generally begin around 8:30 PM, with the main concert taking place around 10:30 PM, when the September temperatures become pleasant.

The 2025 edition

The last documented edition was held in 2025, announced for September 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th: four consecutive days, from Friday to Monday, one more than the usual three-evening format. While a detailed program was not widely released in the online press, the festival's structure remained consistent, with the stage set up in the parking area and evenings marked by musical performances.

Looking ahead to the 2026 edition

As of the update of this entry (July 2026), neither the dates nor the program for the 2026 edition have been published. Based on previous years, it is reasonable to expect the event to take place in the first days of September, but until an official announcement is made, these dates should be considered tentative. We recommend checking with the Municipality of Aiello del Sabato or the organizers' social media channels before planning your trip.

A lively September in Aiello del Sabato

Visitors arriving in Aiello del Sabato during this period will find plenty of reasons to stay. The Fiano Festival, dedicated to the Fiano di Avellino DOCG wine, takes place in mid-September between the historic center and the alleys of the Tavernola district, featuring tastings, street bands, DJ sets, and art installations. The provincial calendar of free summer 2026 concerts also includes a performance by Francesca Michielin in Aiello del Sabato on September 1st: a separate event from Aiello in Festa, but one that confirms how active the town is between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.

Why it's worth visiting

Aiello in Festa does not have the ambition of major festivals: it is a community celebration—free and informal—where you sit on plastic chairs in front of the stage, grab a bite at the stalls, and chat between songs. For those who want to understand how summer is truly experienced in the villages of Irpinia, beyond the tourist circuits, it is one of the most authentic events in the Valle del Sabato.