Mare in Fest

A free village on the Portici seafront

Every year in June, the Parco a Mare in Portici, within the metropolitan city of Naples, turns into a sprawling experiential space overlooking the gulf. Mare in Fest is a completely free-entry event that blends gastronomy, music, live entertainment, and family activities in one of the most picturesque stretches of the Campania coast, where Mount Vesuvius literally meets the sea. The village opens its gates every evening at 6 PM and stays lively until midnight—a schedule designed to enjoy the sunset over the gulf followed by the arena's performances.

The area is divided into three food zones, two market areas dedicated to local crafts, a music square, a children's playground, and a performance arena, complemented by art installations scattered along the park's paths.

The village of taste: over thirty stands

The heart of the event is its food and wine offering, featuring more than thirty stands ranging from street food to traditional products and local food crafts. Recent editions have featured well-known names from the Neapolitan and Vesuvian scene:

• Neapolitan pizza with Pizzeria I Damiano, Errico Porzio, and Isabella de Cham;
• Contemporary street food with Puok, Morsito, Gate 20 Burger Tour, Nu Poke, and Convivio Urbano;
• Seafood specialties, butchery, and grilled meats with offerings like Re Pazzo;
• Artisan desserts, gelato, and gluten-free options.

The stands operate with a 15-euro menu-ticket system, making spending simple and transparent for visitors.

Mare in Scena, the performance arena

The highlight of the 2026 edition is Mare in Scena, the new arena that serves as the hub for the entertainment program every evening: live concerts, cabaret, and theatrical performances by stars of the Neapolitan scene, with moments designed for all generations. In the music square, Radio Kiss Kiss Italia energizes the evenings with DJ sets, games, and live interviews from the park, while Radio Marte is among the event's media partners.

Families, wellness, and sustainability

Mare in Fest is more than just food and music. Each day offers something different: creative workshops for children, roving performances, art installations, and initiatives dedicated to sustainability and craftsmanship. At sunset, outdoor fitness and wellness activities take place, designed to promote movement and balance in the park's natural setting, while the health area hosts free dermatological screenings open to the public.

A youthful event with a charitable heart

The first edition took place from June 20 to 29, 2025, and was an immediate success, supported by the Municipality of Portici, the Vesuvius National Park, and the Metropolitan City of Naples, in support of the Santobono Pausilipon Foundation. Alongside the entertainment program, the village hosted charity projects and volunteering activities, confirming a social vocation that remains one of the event's hallmarks.

Portici, between the Golden Mile and the Gulf of Naples

The setting is one of the most densely populated and vibrant cities in Campania: Portici is known for its Bourbon Royal Palace, home to the Faculty of Agriculture, the Vesuvian villas of the Golden Mile, and the nearby Pietrarsa National Railway Museum. The Parco a Mare, overlooking the gulf, offers a view stretching from Naples to Capri, returning a piece of the coastline to the citizens that the event helps to enhance every summer.