Fish Festival

A day dedicated to the sea

In the height of the Phlegraean summer, Quarto celebrates its maritime heritage with the Fish Festival. The event takes place in the town center and the municipal event area, where local associations and restaurateurs set up their food stalls. It is a village feast in the most authentic sense: long outdoor tables, the mouth-watering aroma of fried fish, lively music, and families gathering from the afternoon until late at night.

Quarto, a Phlegraean town in the Metropolitan City of Naples

Quarto is a town within the Metropolitan City of Naples, in Campania, nestled in the Phlegraean Fields area, just a few kilometers from Pozzuoli and the coast. The town has always maintained a deep connection with the nearby sea, and this festival is the moment that bond becomes tangible—not a staged event, but a direct translation of the home-style cooking practiced daily in local kitchens and trattorias. This is why it is considered one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of the Phlegraean summer.

Signature dishes

The festival menu follows the classic repertoire of Campanian seafood cuisine, which needs no reinvention:

• Frittura di paranza — the signature dish: small, fresh-caught bottom fish served piping hot in a paper cone.
• Calamari and shrimp — fried to order, the most popular alternative for visitors.
• Mussels au gratin and impepata di cozze — two preparations that showcase the true tradition of the gulf.
• Spaghetti with clams — the essential first course, the perfect meeting point between home cooking and seafood tradition.

The dishes are prepared following ancient coastal recipes, with portions designed to be enjoyed while standing or at the outdoor tables provided.

Beyond the table: music, workshops, and shows

The festival goes well beyond the food stalls. The 2025 edition program featured a culinary workshop led by local chefs in the afternoon, live music with folk bands in the early evening, a comedy show, children's entertainment, a prize raffle, and a grand fireworks display to close the night. This structure allows visitors to arrive early and enjoy the atmosphere until late without a dull moment.

A community celebration

The event area is equipped with outdoor seating, relaxation zones, and a local craft market, ensuring there is plenty to do even for those not solely focused on the food. The crowd is typical of Campanian festivals: local families, groups of friends, and visitors from neighboring towns. Admission to the area is free, and food can be purchased directly at the stalls.

When it takes place

The event traditionally falls in June: the 2025 edition was held on Sunday, June 29th, coinciding with the patronal feast of Saints Peter and Paul that enlivens Quarto during the same week. Official dates for 2026 have not yet been published; those wishing to attend should check the channels of the Municipality and the organizing associations in the weeks leading up to the summer.

Why it is worth visiting

The Quarto Fish Festival is not a massive national event, and that is precisely its charm: you eat the fish that is eaten here, cooked by those who cook it all year round, in a village setting that is completely free of tourist traps. For those visiting the Phlegraean Fields—between Pozzuoli, the Solfatara, and the coast—it is the perfect opportunity for an evening of authentic Campanian cuisine, just a few minutes' drive from the area's most famous landmarks.