Calici & Falò

Calici & Falò, the winter festival of Aquara

Calici & Falò is the food and wine event that transforms the historic center of Aquara—a small town of about 1,300 inhabitants in the province of Salerno, Campania—every December. The village sits at an altitude of approximately 500 meters on a hill at the foot of the Alburni mountains, within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. This setting perfectly reflects the nature of the event, which is built around local produce and the community life of an inland village.

The festival is organized by the Pro Loco Aquara APS and takes place over two days leading up to Christmas. The formula is simple yet highly effective: a tasting route along the main street and the alleys of the historic center, themed stalls managed by local producers, and a series of bonfires that light the way and keep visitors warm during the December evenings.

Wine and oil: the stars of the route

The event's name says it all: the calici (wine glasses) are filled with wines from local producers who showcase their labels along the path. Alongside the wine, the other protagonist is the extra virgin olive oil of Cilento, one of the most iconic products of this area of Campania. Food stands offer dishes from the Cilento culinary tradition and specialties designed to pair perfectly with the tastings.

• Local wines available for tasting along the route
• Cilento extra virgin olive oil
• Typical products and traditional Aquara peasant dishes
• Local restaurants participating in the event

Bonfires and street performers

The most recognizable feature of Calici & Falò is its nocturnal atmosphere: the bonfires lit along the path illuminate the stone facades and evoke ancient winter fire rituals, which are deeply rooted in the villages of the Southern Apennines. To complete the scene, street performers—including fire-eaters, jugglers with flaming clubs, and roaming acts—make the walk perfect for families with children.

Live music, from folk to DJ sets

Every edition features free concerts and DJ sets in the village squares. Over the years, the event has hosted bands from the Campanian folk scene and folk music groups, followed late into the night by DJ sets. In 2024, Sibbenga Sunamu and Stragatti performed, while the December 2025 lineup featured Dutty Beagle, Jungle Beat, and Compagnia Daltrocanto, along with a DJ set by Tony Suozzo and a theatrical performance by Domenico Monaco.

A young but already iconic event

Calici & Falò was born in 2023 and reached its third edition in December 2025, quickly establishing itself as one of the key winter events for the Alburni district. It is part of a broader calendar curated by the Pro Loco Aquara, which also includes the Traditional Aquara Carnival in February and the summer festival Radici, Arte e Sapori in early August.

Why it's worth the trip

Those who visit Aquara in December will find something rarely encountered in the more crowded summer festivals: a cozy village, a compact route, producers who share their work without haste, and a conviviality that is, in itself, the reason for the celebration. It is also a great opportunity to visit the Cilento hinterland out of season, when the Alburni mountains and the Calore gorges are free from the coastal summer tourism.