Come d'Incanto - Christmas at the Castle of Ceppaloni

A medieval castle lit up for Christmas

At the highest point of the village of Ceppaloni, in the province of Benevento, the medieval castle overlooking the Sabato Valley becomes the stage for Come d'Incanto between November and December. This is not just a simple Christmas market: it is an immersive scenic journey that occupies the courtyard, the interior halls, and the fortress's belvedere, with actors, musicians, and artisans bringing the entire structure to life from morning until late at night, non-stop.

The format was created by the Immaginaria E.T.S. association, directed by set designer Giovanni Calicchio. After several editions hosted at the Castle of Gesualdo, the association chose this Sannio fortress as its new home, with the debut in Ceppaloni taking place in 2025 under the patronage of the Municipality of Ceppaloni.

Santa's Kingdom

The heart of the experience is the large immersive route set up on the first floor of the castle, which visitors explore room by room accompanied by actors in costume. This is the feature that has made the event recognizable throughout the interior of Campania.

• Over ten themed rooms with special effects and handmade sets;
• Santa Claus's house, with interactive rooms and a final meeting;
• Nativity scenes by the master craftsmen of the Quarto Magio group, set up in the tower;
• Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, one of the most photographed attractions;
• The Chamber of Secrets, another themed environment along the route.

Shows, musicals, and live music

In the central courtyard and on the belvedere, shows take place every hour at no extra cost beyond the entrance ticket. The 2025 program included:

• The musical La Cantata di Lumière, loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast;
• A show for children featuring Snow White and Olaf;
• Gospel choirs and Christmas carols in the various castle halls;
• Street performers, a bubble artist, and the vocal trio Grimoire.

Markets, crafts, and workshops

The stalls distributed in the courtyard and outdoor spaces offer Christmas decorations, handicrafts, toys, gift ideas, and local products. Alongside the stalls, there is entertainment, activities, and workshops designed for families, making the visit suitable even for the youngest children.

The food village

The culinary aspect is one of the reasons the event extends into the evening. In the food village, both inside and outside the walls, you can taste the montanara di Ceppaloni, the town's signature fried pizza, along with roasted chestnuts, caciocavallo cheese, traditional first courses like rigatoni and ravioloni, and other Campanian specialties. There is also an artisanal pastry shop, a restaurant area, and bar points.

An event that has crossed the borders of Sannio

Already in its first edition in Ceppaloni, the initiative recorded a record number of visitors, with audiences arriving not only from all over Campania but also from Lazio, Puglia, and Calabria. The goal declared by the municipal administration and Immaginaria E.T.S. is to make the castle a cultural and tourist hub active all year round: the same Ceppaloni calendar has seen the birth of the Book Festival in spring and the experiential path Sussurri al Castello (Whispers at the Castle) dedicated to the myth of the janare.

What we know about the 2026 edition

In May 2026, during the presentation of the third edition of the Ceppaloni Book Festival, Mayor Claudio Cataudo announced among the upcoming initiatives "the return of the Christmas Markets, which recorded a strong influx of visitors in the last edition." However, the dates and program for the new edition have not yet been published: this is completely normal for a year-end event, and information will be released by the organizers in the autumn months.

Ceppaloni, between Benevento and Pietrelcina

Ceppaloni is about ten kilometers from Benevento and can be reached in just under an hour by car from Naples. The village, with its uphill alleys, can be visited on foot and can be combined with a wider trip in the Sannio area: in past editions, guided tours of the town and excursions to Benevento and Pietrelcina were offered. The castle, linked to the legend of the Benevento witches, is the most important monument in the municipality and remains the true protagonist of the event.