Cavatelli and Seafood Festival

A popular festival in the heart of the San Marco district

The Cavatelli and Seafood Festival is a staple of the summer in Vasto, in the province of Chieti, in the heart of the Adriatic Abruzzo region. Every year in mid-August, the churchyard of the Church of San Marco Evangelista transforms into a large open-air dining area: the San Marco district comes together around its parish for two evenings of conviviality, great food, and live music. The event, which began in 2013, is organised by the parish of San Marco Evangelista, led by Father Nicola Fioriti, and represents a deeply felt moment of community gathering for the people of Vasto.

The festival's signature dish: cavatelli, chickpeas, and seafood

The absolute star is the traditional cuisine, which manages to combine the flavours of the sea and the land in a single dish. The festival's signature dish is cavatelli with chickpeas and seafood, a recipe that marries typical Abruzzo homemade pasta with legumes and the catch of the Adriatic. Alongside the main dish, the food stalls offer:

• stuffed mussels, another seafood specialty of the Vasto coast;
• arrosticini, the famous sheep meat skewers that are a symbol of Abruzzo gastronomy;
• sausage or frankfurter sandwiches, chips, and scrippelle;
• draught beer, wine, and soft drinks.

The festival meal, including cavatelli with chickpeas and seafood, stuffed mussels, a side dish, bread, and a glass of wine or a small bottle of water, is offered at an affordable price, designed to make the celebration accessible to everyone.

Atmosphere and music

The two evenings of the festival are enlivened by live music that accompanies dinner on the churchyard. The atmosphere is typical of local village festivals: shared tables, families, tourists, and residents sitting side by side in a cheerful mood that lasts until late at night. The stalls open at 8:00 PM and remain active throughout the evening.

Vasto and the Costa dei Trabocchi

The festival is part of the rich summer calendar of Vasto, a city overlooking the Adriatic and the heart of the Costa dei Trabocchi, the stretch of the Abruzzo coastline famous for its ancient wooden fishing platforms known as trabocchi. The event highlights local food and wine and the deep bond between the San Marco district community and its parish. For those visiting Vasto in summer, it is an authentic opportunity to taste traditional dishes and experience the convivial spirit of Abruzzo festivals.