Jazz under the Stars

Jazz under the Stars: music and wine in the village of Candida

Every summer, Candida, a small town in the province of Avellino overlooking the Fiano hills, hosts one of the most distinctive festivals in Irpinia: Jazz under the Stars. It is more than just an open-air concert; it is a journey that weaves together live music, wine tastings, and local cuisine. Guests wander between cellars, courtyards, and vineyards as evening falls over the valley. The event is organized by Pro Loco Candida with the patronage of the Municipality of Candida, set in one of the most iconic wine-growing areas of Campania.

Two nights dedicated to local excellence

The formula is well-established: the festivities begin at 8:30 PM and continue late into the night. Visitors follow a food and wine trail through tasting stations where local producers pour their wines, while food stands offer traditional Irpinian rustic dishes. A cocktail area completes the experience, with drinks crafted by local bartenders.

Music accompanies the entire evening and is never just background noise: jazz, in its many forms, is the common thread connecting the two days. Over the years, the festival has featured various Irpinian and Campanian ensembles, ranging from swing repertoires to reinterpretations of Italian classics, and from Latin jazz to soul—always in acoustic or small-ensemble versions, as the village's scale demands an intimate, close-up listening experience.

The 10th edition: July 17 and 18, 2026

In 2026, Jazz under the Stars reached the milestone of its tenth edition, held on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, with the meeting point at 7 Via Fontanelle. Two evenings dedicated to local excellence, featuring wine tastings, gastronomy, a cocktail area, and music starting at 8:30 PM.

After the live concerts, the party didn't stop: at 11:30 PM, the 'Disco in the Vineyard' After Jazz kicked off, turning the vineyard into an open-air dance floor. On Friday, July 17, the after-party was opened by Frontiere Antimusicali, ready to engage the crowd with a mix of energy and music; on Saturday, July 18, the festival concluded with Indiscotibile.

The wine: Candida and Fiano di Avellino

Candida lies within the historic area of Fiano di Avellino DOCG, and the town's wineries are the true stars of the festival. Participating estates have included Tenute Casoli, Vini Contrada, and Tenuta Sarno, which over the years have opened their gardens, courtyards, and rows of vines to the public. The result is an immersive experience in the Irpinian viticultural landscape: you drink where the wine is born, just steps from the vines, with the producers themselves there to tell their story.

A village to explore on foot

Candida has only a few hundred inhabitants, and this is its greatest strength: the event is meant to be experienced on foot, car-free, through alleys, stairways, and viewpoints overlooking the Sabato valley. The castle and the historic center provide the backdrop, and the short distance from Avellino (just a few kilometers) makes the event easily accessible for those staying in the city or returning in the evening.

Why it's worth the trip

• Food and wine formula: not just a concert, but tastings guided by local producers and authentic Irpinian dishes.
• Authentic locations: cellars, gardens, and vineyards instead of a standard town square stage.
• Dual soul: live jazz in the first part of the evening, DJ sets among the vines after 11:30 PM.
• Human scale: an intimate crowd, affordable prices, and the typical hospitality of small Irpinian towns.
• Continuity: ten editions behind it, with constant growth in visitors from across the province of Avellino and Campania.

When it returns

The event is traditionally held in mid-July, between Friday and Saturday: in 2025 it took place on July 11 and 12, and in 2026 on July 17 and 18. Dates and programs for the next edition are announced by Pro Loco Candida on their social media channels, usually a few weeks before the event.