L'Aneme de le Morte – Pumpkin Festival

A festival of souls and pumpkins on the slopes of the Maiella

L'Aneme de le Morte – Pumpkin Festival is the most iconic autumn event in Serramonacesca, a small village in the Province of Pescara nestled within the Maiella National Park, in Abruzzo. Every year, between October 31st and November 1st, the historic center transforms into an open-air theater where folk rituals, music, and gastronomy celebrate the deep bond between the community and the memory of the deceased.

The ancient tradition of the souls of the dead

The festival is rooted in an ancient belief, suspended between pagan and Christian rituals: it is said that on the misty evenings of All Saints' Day, the souls of the departed return to wander the village streets. This gives rise to the custom that names the event: children hollow out and carve pumpkins, place a lit candle inside to represent the souls of the dead, and knock on doors reciting the ritual formula "L'aneme de le morte" to receive sweets and small offerings. It is one of the most authentic Abruzzese expressions of the culture of the afterlife, which elsewhere has taken the name of Halloween, but which here retains its own unique popular roots.

Two days of rituals, music, and street theater

The event, which coincides with the Pumpkin Festival, offers a rich and communal program. Evenings open with traditional ritual songs, such as "Lu cantá de le morte" and "Lu cuntu de le morte," the narration of local myths and legends. The village streets come alive with street performers, folk groups, and Abruzzese musical collectives, alongside traveling theater and magic shows designed for children and families, creative workshops, and folk dances.

• Traditional Abruzzese ritual songs and storytelling
• Folk concerts and roving music in the historic alleys
• Street theater and magic shows for children and families
• «La checocce chiò belle», the competition for the most beautiful and creative carved pumpkin
• Artisan markets with local products

The gastronomy of the Pumpkin Festival

The delicious heart of the festival lies in the food stalls set up throughout the village, with indoor seating available. The menu features the flavors of the Abruzzese autumn: fried pizza, roasted sausages, chestnuts, mulled wine, cooked wine, sangria, and traditional desserts, with gluten-free options available for all visitors.

An event by the Municipality of Serramonacesca

The event is organized by the Retroterra Recreational-Cultural Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Serramonacesca, and is also featured on the official Abruzzo Region portal. Over the years, it has become an appointment capable of attracting visitors from across the province, combining the charm of the autumnal Maiella with the revival of one of the most evocative popular traditions of the Pescara hinterland.