Cusano Mutri Mushroom Festival

The porcini mushroom, king of the Cusano autumn

As the air turns crisp and the Matese woods are blanketed in red leaves, Cusano Mutri opens its taverns to welcome thousands of visitors. The Mushroom Festival is the most famous event in this town in the Province of Benevento, Campania, and one of the longest-running food and wine festivals in the region: in 2025, it reached its 45th edition, spanning four weeks from September 19th to October 12th.

The absolute star is the porcini mushroom, foraged from the Matese massif and prepared according to traditional Sannio peasant recipes: handmade tagliatelle and ravioli, soups, side dishes, meat courses paired with porcini, as well as fried delicacies and preserves in oil. Alongside the porcini, the festival showcases other wild local species and typical Sannio products, from cheeses and cured meats to oils and wines from the Benevento hills.

A medieval village as a stage

What sets this festival apart is the natural backdrop in which it takes place. Cusano Mutri is a medieval village perched on the slopes of the Matese, featuring cobblestone alleys, stone arches, staircases, and small courtyards that open up to reveal panoramic views. The festival route winds through the historic center: you climb up and down between houses, stop at a tavern, and continue your journey to the next. In recent years, the route has been expanded to better distribute the crowds and highlight the village's most hidden corners.

Taverns, stalls, and markets

• Food stalls scattered throughout the historic center, offering menus based on porcini mushrooms and local traditional dishes
• Craft markets and stalls featuring typical products from the Matese and Valle Telesina areas
• Live music, folklore, and ancient folk songs in the village squares
• Exhibitions dedicated to craftsmanship, nature, and art
• Workshops and activities for families and children, with insights into mushroom foraging and traditional cooking

Nature, hiking, and Matese Park

The festival is about more than just food. The program has long included guided hikes in the surrounding area, horseback riding, and visits to natural and historical landmarks: the gorges, woodland trails, and neighboring villages of the Titerno and Alto Tammaro Mountain Community. In 2025, the Matese Garden was inaugurated, an exhibition space dedicated to the trees and plants typical of the Matese National Park, created in collaboration with the Mountain Community.

How it works

In recent editions, the organizers have adopted a schedule covering the entire period: from Monday to Friday, the stalls open for lunch and dinner on a rotating basis, while on Saturdays and Sundays, all taverns are operational for both lunch and dinner. The weekend is the busiest time with the richest program, but weekdays offer a quieter visit, perfect for those who want to enjoy the village without the crowds.

A defining event for the Sannio region

With tens of thousands of visitors at every edition, the Mushroom Festival has become the main tourist driver for Cusano Mutri and one of the key autumn events for the entire inland Campania region. For the town, it represents much more than a food festival: it is the moment when the community shares its bond with the mountains, the woods, and a humble cuisine that has become a heritage. Those who arrive for the porcini often end up returning for the village, the springs, and the trails of the Matese.