Bean Festival

A half-century of Ferragosto tradition

The Bean Festival is the most anticipated summer event in Cellole, a town on the Domitian coast in the province of Caserta, Campania. Established in 1974 to promote and preserve local culinary heritage, the event has become one of the longest-running and most renowned festivals in the Caserta area, earning a place in the Quality Festivals register of the UNPLI (National Union of Pro Loco of Italy). In 2025, the festival reached the historic milestone of its fiftieth edition, celebrating "half a century of tradition, taste, and friendship."

The ritual of beans in copper cauldrons

The heart of the festival is the bean dish, the absolute star of the Assumption evening. Following a technique passed down through generations, the legumes are simmered slowly in large copper cauldrons and served hot on fragrant slices of wood-fired bread, prepared by local families. The beans are always paired with a good glass of local wine, along with traditional peasant dishes like fried eggplant, peppers, and tomato salad. The festival is also an opportunity to rediscover and promote the "suscieglio", an ancient and now rare local bean variety, representing an authentic agricultural heritage worth preserving.

The Palio dei Fagioli

Among the most awaited and spectacular moments is the Palio dei Fagioli, a horse race held in the town center: riders compete to win the 'palio', a cloth banner that serves as the very symbol of the event. It is a ritual rooted in the local rural culture that attracts numerous spectators along the route every year.

Music, markets, and folklore

In addition to the free bean tasting, the evening is enlivened by live music, folk performances, and traditional dances, with entertainment designed for all ages. Craft markets line the streets of the center, showcasing local products and artisanal goods, completing an authentic popular festival experience. Food distribution begins on the evening of August 15th, as the square fills with residents and visitors alike.

Cellole and the rural tradition of Campania

Located just a few kilometers from the sea in the Gulf of Gaeta, Cellole preserves through its festival the deep bond between land, agriculture, and popular tradition. The Bean Festival is not just a gastronomic event, but a moment of collective identity that brings the entire Cellole community together every Ferragosto around a humble yet essential product of the Mediterranean diet. For those spending their holidays on the Domitian coast, it is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic piece of peasant culture in the province of Caserta.