Hazelnut Festival

The festival that tells the story of the Baiano hazelnut

In the town of Baiano, in the province of Avellino, at the foot of the Avella and Partenio mountains, the Hazelnut Festival has been the most anticipated event of the Baiano September for over thirty years. Established in the early nineties by the Pro Loco Baiano, the event has grown to become one of the most renowned food and wine festivals in Campania, attracting thousands of families from across the region and the nearby Naples hinterland.

The timing is no coincidence: the festival falls exactly during the harvest period, when the hazelnut groves covering the hills of the Baiano district yield their fruit. The true star of every edition is the Nocciola Mortarella, a local variety known for its intense flavor and excellent performance in pastry making.

A trail of flavors

The heart of the event is the food and wine circuit connecting Piazza Francesco Napolitano, the Villa Comunale, and other central areas. The stalls, managed by Pro Loco volunteers and local producers, offer a menu built entirely around the hazelnut.

• Pasta al Pesto di Nocciola: the signature dish, prepared with a savory cream of toasted hazelnuts, available only during the festival
• Hazelnut meatballs and thin-sliced beef with hazelnut cream
• Montanara, gourmet sandwiches, local cured meats, and cheeses
• Artisan desserts, nougat, and hazelnut-based pastries
• Gluten-free menu available for those with specific dietary needs

Music, dance, and shows

Every evening is accompanied by live concerts on multiple stages: traditional Campanian folk music, folk groups, tribute bands, and local artists perform until late at night. In addition to the musical program, there is a large dance floor set up in the Villa Comunale, animated by the local tango community, along with a series of street performances that roam the town throughout the weekend.

Art, culture, and crafts

The Hazelnut Festival is not just about gastronomy. The exhibition spaces in the center, particularly the Teatro Colosseo, host art shows, papier-mâché displays, miniature nativity scenes, photographic exhibitions dedicated to local traditions, and cultural meetings. The program includes book presentations, poetry readings, cinema and comic book events, creative workshops for children, and craft markets. The most anticipated visual element remains the hazelnut float, handmade and decorated with thousands of nuts.

Excursions and exploring the area

On Sunday, the program extends to lunchtime and is enriched with guided tours and excursions by reservation: walks through the hazelnut groves, nature trails on the slopes of the Partenio mountains, and visits to the archaeological heritage of nearby Avella, with its Roman amphitheater. It is a way to understand how hazelnut cultivation has shaped the landscape and economy of this part of Irpinia.

A Quality Festival

In 2019, the event received the Sagra di Qualità (Quality Festival) recognition from UNPLI, the National Union of Pro Loco of Italy, a mark that rewards festivals capable of authentically promoting local products while ensuring high-quality raw materials, transparency, and community involvement. In Baiano, that involvement is visible: dozens of volunteers, especially young people, work for weeks on the setup and service.

Why visit

Among the festivals in Campania, the Baiano event has the merit of remaining deeply authentic despite reaching significant dimensions. Admission is free, all areas are within walking distance, and the atmosphere remains that of a village feast where you can eat well, dance in the square, and hear the story of a product that here is not a tourist souvenir, but the foundation of the local agricultural economy.