Dugenta Wild Boar Festival

Campania's longest-running wild boar festival

For over forty years, the Dugenta Wild Boar Festival has been a staple for lovers of rustic Sannio cuisine. This is no short-lived event: the festival spans most of the year, running every weekend from early summer to early November, making it the longest-running festival in all of Campania. The headquarters is the Via Fossi area in the town of Dugenta, in the province of Benevento, just minutes from the Fondo Valle Isclero junction.

A family story that began in 1980

The first edition dates back to September 1980, when the Di Caprio family decided to open their home kitchen to the public. Over the decades, the initiative has grown to include cultural and folk elements, becoming a landmark for the entire Volturno Valley. The format remains true to its roots: tables under covered pavilions, service on terracotta plates, and dishes prepared on the spot in what the organizers call "open-air trattorias."

The menu: wild boar in every form

The absolute star is the wild boar, cooked according to traditional family recipes. Signature dishes featured every year include:

• Pappardelle with wild boar ragù, the festival's iconic dish;
• Ravioli with ragù and strozzapreti, served plain or with wild boar stew, mushrooms, and olives;
• Bean stew with pork rind and wild boar sausage, perfect for autumn evenings;
• Grilled wild boar and mixed wild boar platter;
• Wild boar porchetta and sandwiches filled with sliced meat, sausage, prosciutto, or mortadella;
• Platters of local cured meats and cheeses, with seasonal side dishes.

The table is completed by local wines, Falanghina and Aglianico del Sannio, alongside beer and soft drinks. Prices remain typical of local festivals: pasta dishes and sandwiches around 6 euros, mixed wild boar for 13 euros, grilled meat for 15 euros, and sides for 3 euros; platters vary based on composition and group size.

Atmosphere, folk songs, and dancing

Beyond the food, the festival offers folk songs and dances and entertainment that enliven the evenings, creating a village fair atmosphere that attracts families, groups of friends, and coach tours. Entry to the area is free: you only pay for what you consume by ordering at the counters and collecting your food.

Dugenta and the Benevento Sannio

Dugenta is a small town of just over 2,600 inhabitants overlooking the Volturno Valley, on the border between the provinces of Benevento and Caserta, in Campania. The town preserves a Norman-Swabian castle and the church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, whose feast day is celebrated on November 30th. The territory is dedicated to agriculture: this is the home of Falanghina and Aglianico grapes of the Sannio denomination, as well as olive oil, apples, and mozzarella. A visit to the festival is easily combined with a tour of the Taburno area or the nearby Telesina Valley.

When to go

The festival is open Friday and Saturday from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM and Sunday for both lunch (12:00 PM - 3:30 PM) and dinner (7:00 PM - 11:00 PM). September and October are the most popular months: as temperatures drop, the stews and bean dishes are at their best. During autumn weekends and the All Saints' Day long weekend, attendance is high, so it is best to arrive early to secure a seat.