Christmas in Cicerale

Christmas in Cicerale: the village lights up for the holidays

Every late December, the historic center of Cicerale, a small town in the Province of Salerno in the heart of Cilento, transforms into a Christmas trail filled with lights, stalls, the aromas of rustic cuisine, and live music. In just a few years, Christmas in Cicerale has become one of the most anticipated events in the Cilento Christmas calendar: in December 2025, the event reached its third edition, confirming a simple yet successful formula: a village that opens its doors to visitors and tells its story through its narrow alleys.

A journey through markets and illuminated alleys

The heart of the event is the market trail, which winds along the streets and small squares of the historic center. The huts and stands primarily offer local products: handicrafts, Christmas decorations, gift ideas, and goods from local businesses. The setup relies heavily on themed scenery and illuminations, giving the village an intimate atmosphere, quite different from that of large city markets.

• Craft stalls and local business products
• Illuminated and decorated streets and alleys of the historic center
• Themed scenery along the entire route
• Digital event map accessible via QR code

The food and wine trail

Alongside the markets, there is a food and wine trail with stands dedicated to traditional Cilento dishes. It is the perfect opportunity to taste the recipes that define this part of Campania: legumes, seasonal vegetables, homemade pasta, and holiday sweets. After all, Cicerale is the village of chickpeas, a Slow Food Presidium and the territory's symbolic product, so much so that the motto on the municipal coat of arms reads Terra quae cicera alit, "land that nourishes chickpeas."

Folk music, street bands, and shows

Every evening features a musical performance. In the 2025 edition, the folk music group Vienteterra, the Niki Pop Band, the group I TaramMurria, and Nova Felix took turns on stage, while the Luigi Vigorito Street Band enlivened the route with their roaming music. The choice to focus on Cilento folk music, with drums, accordions, and traditional songs, gives the event a strong identity and distinguishes it from more standardized Christmas events.

Space for families and children

The program always reserves moments designed for younger audiences: street performers, entertainment, and activities for children accompany the evenings along the route. Previous editions have also featured a Santa Claus village with bouncy castles and baby dance, as well as performances by local dance schools and the inevitable bagpipers, who remain a traditional presence during the Christmas period in Cilento.

Cicerale, the village of chickpeas in the Cilento National Park

The Municipality of Cicerale stands on a hill overlooking the upper course of the Alento River, within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The village preserves the Church of San Giorgio, the Church of San Nicola, and Palazzo Caracciolo, the historic seat of the market, while not far away lies the hamlet of Monte Cicerale with its noble palaces. Visiting Cicerale in winter means discovering a different side of Cilento compared to the summer beach season: quieter, more authentic, made of stone, lit fireplaces, and communities coming together.

When to go and what to expect

The event usually takes place between Christmas and New Year's, with evenings starting in the late afternoon. We recommend arriving early, walking the route at a leisurely pace, alternating food stops with browsing the stalls, and staying for the evening concert. As it is a hillside village with narrow streets, it is best to leave your car in the designated parking areas and use the shuttle service provided by the organizers: it is the most convenient way to reach the historic center and avoid queues at the entrance to the town.