Festa a Vico

Festa a Vico, the premier gastronomic event on the Sorrento Peninsula

Festa a Vico is the food and wine festival that transforms the town of Vico Equense, in the Province of Naples, into a capital of Italian cuisine every June. Conceived in 2003 by chef Gennaro Esposito—awarded two Michelin stars at Torre del Saracino—the festival brings together established chefs, rising stars, pizza makers, pastry chefs, sommeliers, and producers for several days of unparalleled conviviality in Campania.

The founding principle remains simple and unchanged: uniting Italian culinary professionals to showcase the region while raising funds for charity. All proceeds from the events are donated to associations and foundations selected annually by the organizers.

A project built over two decades

Since its debut in 2003, the festival has grown into one of Italy's most anticipated culinary events, drawing thousands of visitors to the coast. Today, it is organized by the Associazione Cucina Italiana Contemporanea, based on Via Torretta in Vico Equense, and features a diverse program of signature dinners, exclusive lunches, thematic tastings, and public events.

La Repubblica del Cibo, the festival's popular soul

The most iconic format is La Repubblica del Cibo: the historic center of Vico Equense fills with over two hundred food stalls—as seen in the 2025 edition—spread across squares, streets, shops, courtyards, and alleys. Each chef presents a signature bite, and the public wanders from station to station, creating a massive open-air restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Naples.

Typical program

• Evenings dedicated to contemporary pizza, featuring the masters who have revolutionized Campania's signature dish;
• Events celebrating the Italian trattoria, highlighting family-style cooking and everyday recipes;
• Lunches reserved for young chefs, invited to showcase their culinary identity;
• Gala dinners with the leading names in Italian haute cuisine;
• Tastings and pairings with sommeliers, bartenders, and local producers.

Vico Equense, between the sea and Mount Faito

The setting is as important as the program. Vico Equense is located on the Sorrento Peninsula, between Castellammare di Stabia and Sorrento, with Mount Faito behind it and the sea in front. It is a town famous for its pizza by the meter, Monti Lattari cheeses and cured meats, bluefish, and local citrus fruits: a gastronomic heritage that the festival bridges with fine dining from across Italy.

A charitable initiative

Solidarity is not just a detail; it is the true engine of the event. Over the years, Festa a Vico has supported organizations such as the Fondazione Sostenitori Ospedale Santobono in Naples, the San Patrignano community, the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi, and various cancer prevention associations. In 2025, total donations exceeded 280,000 euros.

Why it's worth the trip

Visitors to Vico Equense during these days will find a concentration of chefs and stories rarely found elsewhere. It is a unique opportunity to sample the cuisine of dozens of Italian restaurants in just a few hours, meet chefs without barriers, and discover a side of Campania that lies beyond the most beaten tourist paths of the coast.