Civitella Licinio Chestnut Festival

An autumn festival in the heart of Sannio

The Civitella Licinio Chestnut Festival is the event that kicks off autumn in the Municipality of Cusano Mutri, in the province of Benevento, in the Campania Region. It takes place in the hamlet of Civitella Licinio, a small village at an altitude of about 400 meters and just over three kilometers from the municipal seat, overlooking the Valle Telesina and surrounded by chestnut groves that climb toward the Matese massif.

The event is organized by the Pro Loco Civitella Licinio, an association founded in 1996, which over the years has transformed a local village feast into an event known throughout the province. In 2025, the 39th edition was celebrated, marking a continuity that brings the festival closer to its fortieth anniversary.

The chestnut, the absolute star

The symbolic fruit of the Sannio autumn is served at food stalls set up along the streets and in the courtyards of the historic center, following recipes belonging to local peasant tradition. Among the most popular preparations:

• Roasted chestnuts cooked over an open fire and bollotte (boiled chestnuts) scented with bay leaves and fennel seeds;
• Autumn soups and first courses made with ancient local chestnut-based recipes;
• Desserts and panzarotti filled with chestnut cream and chocolate, along with preparations using chestnut flour;
• Chestnut jams and preserves produced in the village.

Alongside the chestnut, other local excellences take center stage: mushrooms from the Matese, extra virgin olive oil, cheeses, and cured meats from Sannio, in a tasting journey that also serves as a small market for typical products.

Folk music, organetto, and tammorra

The soundtrack of the festival is that of the Campanian tradition. In the three main areas of the event — Piazza Cortiglia, Piazza San Bartolomeo, and the Zona Ponte — folk music groups, organetto and tammorra ensembles, storytellers, itinerant performances, and evening DJ sets take turns. Traditional dances are also featured, such as the Quadriglia, performed with local dance masters, as well as entertainment shows dedicated to children, making the event suitable for the whole family.

Excursions among gorges, chestnut groves, and foliage

The festival is not limited to the table: every year, the Pro Loco offers a program of outdoor activities that highlights the Matese landscape. Recurring proposals include trekking in the spectacular Forre di Lavello, photographic walks dedicated to foliage in the chestnut groves of Monterbano, and horseback riding on the slopes of the Matese. Outings must be booked in advance as spots are limited.

A quality recognition

Since 2023, the event has been officially recognized as a «Quality Festival» by the UNPLI, the National Union of Pro Loco of Italy: a seal that certifies the authenticity of the products used, the link with the territory, and organizational excellence. In the same year, the festival also obtained the gold seal of «Sagre e Feste nei Borghi». In recent editions, the Pro Loco has also hosted networking initiatives like «la Via delle Pro Loco», which brings associations from other Sannio towns to Civitella Licinio.

Why it is worth the trip

Those who arrive in Civitella Licinio in October find more than just a food festival: a living village, with decorated stone houses, alleys accessible only on foot, the fires of roasted chestnuts at the corners of the squares, and an entire community involved in hospitality. It is a great starting point to discover Cusano Mutri, listed among the most charming villages of Sannio and famous for its Mushroom Festival, and to explore the Matese Regional Park.