Cherry Festival

A Sannio village celebrates the cherry

At an altitude of 439 meters, on the slopes of the Monte Taburno massif, Campoli del Monte Taburno is one of the smallest municipalities in the province of Benevento, Campania. For a few days in June, however, its historic center becomes one of the most popular spots in the Sannio region: the Cherry Festival draws thousands of visitors to its alleys, squares, and Largo della Delizia, where food stalls and a producers' market alternate with performances and walks through the orchards.

The star of the show is a signature local product: cherries grown on the terraced hillsides surrounding the village, a small-scale agricultural tradition passed down through generations.

From 2008 to today: the growth of a "Quality Festival"

The event was founded in 2008 by a group of members from the "Monte Taburno" Pro Loco. The early years were challenging, with few visitors and financial losses. The turning point came around 2015, when the format expanded to combine gastronomy, excursions, culture, and hospitality.

In March 2025, this hard work received national recognition: the "Sagra di Qualità" (Quality Festival) mark awarded by the UNPLI (National Union of Pro Loco of Italy), with a ceremony held at the Senate of the Republic in Rome. The association is currently led by president Giuseppe Caporaso.

The taste: from the market to the table

The gastronomic heart of the festival is spread across several locations. The cherry market allows you to buy fruit directly from local producers, while the stalls offer a menu that plays with both sweet and savory flavors:

• Grill area with locally sourced meats cooked over an open flame
• Cherry pizza, one of the most curious and iconic offerings of the festival
• Live pastry workshop, where you can watch tarts, jams, and cherry-based treats being made
• Guided tastings of Sannio white and red wines, cured meats, cheeses, and jams
• Brioche with cherry gelato, celebrating the twinning with Sant'Alfio, the Sicilian town famous for its cherries

Wine is not an afterthought: we are in the Aglianico del Taburno area, and local wineries are an integral part of the tasting experience.

Orchards, trekking, and the nature of Taburno

The Cherry Festival extends well beyond the town squares. One of its most popular features is the guided tour of the cherry orchards, reached by off-road vehicles with hourly departures, or on horseback. On Sunday mornings, visitors can set off on a trekking route between the historic center and the so-called Cherry Valley, guided by local hiking associations like A.S.D. La Dormiente—a name that references the profile of Mount Taburno, known as "the Sleeping Woman of Sannio."

Music, shows, and the "Burning of the Bell Tower"

Evenings are split between Piazza della Madonnina and Largo della Delizia, featuring concerts, piano bars, street bands, and folk and Latin dancing, while jugglers and stilt-walkers entertain the crowds in the alleys. The most anticipated moment is the Burning of the Bell Tower, a pyrotechnic display that illuminates the bell tower late at night to close the main day of the festival, followed by a DJ set.

Workshops, children, and families

The festival is designed with families in mind: educational workshops on turning cherries into jam, sensory gardens, and cookie-making classes fill the afternoons. Depending on the year, these are accompanied by a cherry-themed photography contest and vintage car and motorcycle rallies.

The 2026 edition: a pause for reflection

On May 30, 2026, the "Monte Taburno" Pro Loco announced the cancellation of the 2026 edition, a unanimous decision made following the sudden passing of Massimo Caporaso, known to all as "Archi," a historic member and central figure of the organization. The association clarified that the festival "is not stopping: it is simply taking a break," and will return in future editions in his memory.

Campoli del Monte Taburno, where the festival takes place

The municipality is located in the province of Benevento, in Campania, within the Taburno-Camposauro Regional Park. It is a village of a few hundred inhabitants with a compact urban layout that makes the festival easily walkable. In addition to the Cherry Festival, the local calendar also includes the Bean Festival.