Festa sull'Aia
Harvesting, threshing, and rural traditions in the Sannio region of Benevento
About Festa sull'Aia
A festival that brings the threshing floor back to the heart of the village
Some festivals are meant to be watched, while others are meant to be experienced. The Festa sull'Aia in Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte, a small village of just over four hundred residents in the province of Benevento, Campania, belongs to the latter: for two days, the Aia Vecchia district ceases to be a simple open space between houses and returns to what it once was—the productive and social heart of a farming community. Reaching its 23rd edition in 2026, the event is organized by the local Pro Loco, which has been its guardian and driving force for over twenty years.
The name says it all: the aia (threshing floor) is the beaten-earth square where, before the advent of combine harvesters, sheaves of wheat were brought to separate the grain from the straw. It was a collective effort that involved entire families and neighbors, culminating in a celebration. It is precisely this transition from labor to conviviality that the festival brings to life every year.
Harvesting, threshing, and ancient crafts
The most iconic moment of the festival is the re-enactment of harvesting and threshing operations on the threshing floor: gestures, tools, and work rhythms are performed before the public, with the help of the village elders who truly knew these tasks. Alongside the re-enactment, you will find:
- an exhibition of vintage and modern agricultural machinery, telling the story of a century of transformation in field labor;
- demonstrations of ancient crafts linked to rural civilization;
- the threshers' breakfast, a convivial moment mirroring the break taken by harvesters, featuring cold cuts, fried peppers and potatoes, and watermelon;
- spaces for families, campers, and passing visitors, all in an entirely open-air setting.
Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte, after all, has an agricultural memory that runs deep: until 1862, the village was called Montemalo (or Montemale), and the festival recalls the ancient collective enterprise of Montemalo, where the landlord provided the land and tools while the laborers provided the work, with the harvest then divided between the parties. A detail that explains why, here, threshing is not just decorative folklore.
The Pro Loco kitchen: the taste of Sannio
The Pro Loco food stalls, set up in a covered area in Piazza Aia Vecchia, are the other major draw. The focus is on farm-to-table ingredients, with dishes belonging to the daily cuisine of Sannio rather than restaurant menus:
- cecatielli (handmade cavatelli pasta) with a sauce flavored with local herbs;
- spezzatino alla montemalese (Montemalo-style stew), the dish that bears the village's ancient name;
- seasonal side dishes from the garden;
- sausage and porchetta sandwiches for the evenings;
- cold cuts, fried peppers and potatoes, and watermelon for the traditional threshers' breakfast.
The Pro Loco accepts reservations, as the covered stand has limited capacity.
Folk music and evenings in the square
The soundtrack is folk in the most literal sense. Over the years, the threshing floor has hosted local folk groups—including the Gruppo Folk "A Funtanella" from San Marco dei Cavoti, with its repertoire of traditional songs and dances—as well as dance bands and orchestras, alongside students from local music and dance schools.
The motorcycle rally, a 2026 novelty
The 2026 edition introduced a new element: a motorcycle rally open to all engine sizes, with a meeting point on Via delle Vittorie, a blessing of the bikes, a parade toward Aia Vecchia, and an awards ceremony. An addition that expanded the festival's audience beyond provincial borders, drawing motorcyclists from all over Campania and neighboring regions.
Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte, three hills in Sannio
The village stands at an altitude of 363 meters on three heights—hence the "Trimonte" in its name—in the eastern part of the province of Benevento, a short distance from the border with Irpinia. It is a land of wheat, olive groves, and small farms, with sweeping views toward the Fortore and Tammaro valleys. Those arriving for the festival can combine their visit with nearby villages, from San Marco dei Cavoti, home of the crunchy torrone, to Casalbore and Buonalbergo.
The festival takes place in mid-to-late July, over two consecutive weekend days: activities on the threshing floor begin early, around 9:00 AM, and those who want to see the threshing should arrive in the morning.
Festa sull'Aia — edition 2026
2026 Edition: the 23rd Festa sull'Aia
On July 18 and 19, 2026, the Aia Vecchia district of Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte hosted the twenty-third edition of the Festa sull'Aia, a staple of the Sannio summer organized by the Pro Loco. The common thread remained the same: the roots of rural life, the promotion of the territory, and the pleasure of being together.
Over the two days, the re-enactment of harvesting and threshing operations, demonstrations of ancient crafts, and an exhibition of agricultural machinery telling the story of the evolution of field work took place. The food stalls offered a menu of traditional dishes prepared with farm-to-table products, from cecatielli with aromatic sauce to Montemalo-style stew.
The musical program featured the Gruppo Folk "A Funtanella" with traditional songs and dances, a concert by Fabio's Band, and, on the second evening, Jonathan e la Buona Musica. The most talked-about novelty was the motorcycle rally on Sunday, July 19, open to all engine sizes, which brought motorcyclists from all over Campania and neighboring regions to Aia Vecchia.
Programme Festa sull'Aia 2026
Saturday, July 18, 2026 — Day 1
- From 9:00 AM — Opening of the festival area at Aia Vecchia: re-enactment of harvesting and threshing operations.
- Morning — Demonstration of ancient crafts and exhibition of vintage and modern agricultural machinery; threshers' breakfast.
- Lunch and Dinner — Pro Loco food stalls with farm-to-table traditional dishes (cecatielli with aromatic sauce, Montemalo-style stew, seasonal side dishes, sausage and porchetta sandwiches).
- Evening — Gruppo Folk "A Funtanella": traditional Sannio folk music and dances.
- Late Evening — Concert by Fabio's Band.
Sunday, July 19, 2026 — Motorcycle Rally Day
- 9:30 AM — Meeting of motorcyclists on Via delle Vittorie, welcome by authorities, and welcome aperitif.
- 11:00 AM — Blessing of the motorcycles.
- 1:00 PM — Lunch at the festival stand.
- 5:00 PM — Gathering at the Pro Loco stands in the Aia Vecchia district.
- Evening — Party and live music with Jonathan e la Buona Musica.
The motorcycle rally was open to all types of bikes; for information and registration, the number +39 349 8560581 (also WhatsApp) was provided.
Highlights Festa sull'Aia 2026
- 23rd edition of the festival, July 18-19, 2026, in the Aia Vecchia district.
- Live re-enactment of harvesting and threshing on the threshing floor, with ancient crafts and agricultural machinery exhibition.
- Motorcycle rally: the big 2026 novelty, with a 9:30 AM meeting on Via delle Vittorie, blessing of the bikes at 11:00 AM, and parade to Aia Vecchia.
- Pro Loco farm-to-table cuisine: cecatielli with aromatic sauce, Montemalo-style stew, sausage and porchetta sandwiches.
- Folk music with Gruppo Folk "A Funtanella", Fabio's Band, and Jonathan e la Buona Musica.
- Open-air festival, family-friendly and welcoming to campers and motorcycle groups.
Prices Festa sull'Aia 2026
Practical information — Festa sull'Aia
Location
Contrada Aia Vecchia, Piazza Aia Vecchia / Via Aia Vecchia, 82021 Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte (BN), Campania. Covered food stand; fully open-air area for re-enactments and the agricultural machinery exhibition.
How to get there
- By car: From the A16 Naples-Canosa motorway, take the Benevento or Grottaminarda exit, then follow state and provincial roads toward San Marco dei Cavoti / Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte. About 30 km east of Benevento.
- By train: The reference station is Benevento (Rome-Caserta-Benevento and Naples-Benevento lines), then use bus lines or a rental car; connections to the village are limited, so a car is effectively necessary.
- By plane: Naples-Capodichino is the nearest airport (about 100 km away).
- Parking: Free parking areas near the festival site; space available for campers and motorcycles.
Admission and costs
Available sources do not indicate entrance fees: access to the festival area is free. Dishes at the Pro Loco food stalls are paid for upon consumption, with typical village festival prices. It is possible to reserve a spot at the covered stand.
Where to stay
Accommodation options in the village are minimal: you can find farm stays and bed and breakfasts in nearby towns (San Marco dei Cavoti, Casalbore, Buonalbergo, Paduli) and a wider selection in Benevento, about a half-hour drive away. Many visitors arrive for the day or by camper.
Contacts
Pro Loco Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte — tel. +39 334 3067064, e-mail [email protected], Instagram proloco_santarcangelotrimonte. For the motorcycle rally, the number +39 349 8560581 (also WhatsApp) was provided.
Tips
Arrive in the morning for the threshing re-enactment and stay for dinner and the evening music: that is how you experience the festival to the fullest. Closed-toe shoes are recommended, as the threshing floor ground is dusty.
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Where does it take place — Festa sull'Aia
Aia Vecchia
Piazza Aia Vecchia, Via Aia Vecchia, 82021 Sant'Arcangelo Trimonte