Mariglianella Cresce - New Paths of Culture, Legality, and Humanity

A festival born to help the community grow

Mariglianella Cresce is a cultural project promoted by the municipal administration of Mariglianella, a small town in the Nola area in the province of Naples, in the heart of Campania. The full title of the festival, "New Paths of Culture, Legality, and Humanity," perfectly captures its spirit: bringing live performances and quality entertainment to the public square while linking them to important civil issues like legality, inclusion, and a sense of belonging. The stated goal is to revitalize the area and renew the sense of community in a town that, despite having only a few thousand inhabitants, was determined to offer a genuine event program.

From 2022 to the Winter Edition: five editions

The festival's journey is now well-established and has grown year by year:

• 2022, first edition: the launch of the project, featuring the concert-show "Carosonamente" by Peppe Servillo and the Solis String Quartet.
• 2023, second edition: two evenings on September 29 and 30 in the square behind the Primary School, featuring Peppe Iodice and Biagio Izzo.
• 2024, third edition: three days of shows from September 14 to 16, featuring Francesco Procopio's cabaret in Piazza Carafa, music by Gianni Mobilia and the Tammurriata Band, Paolo Caiazzo's show "Eppure sorrido," and a concert by Enzo Avitabile with the Bottari.
• 2025, fourth edition: on September 20 and 21, on the Via Napoli stage, the comedy duo Arteteca with "Senza Filtri," folk music by the Sfessania group with Emidio Ausiello, and Gianni Fiorellino's "Vai Tour."
• January 2026, fifth edition: the first Winter Edition, two evenings of comedy in the Municipal Gymnasium on Via Torino.

The Winter Edition, a 2026 novelty

With the winter edition, the festival expanded beyond its traditional September slot to accompany the holiday season as well. On January 3 and 4, 2026, the Municipal Gymnasium on Via Torino was transformed into a theater, hosting some of the most well-known names in Neapolitan comedy. The formula remains the same as the summer editions: artistic quality, free admission, and a space designed to welcome families and young people.

The Metropolitan Events Calendar

Since its inception, the festival has been part of the Metropolitan Events Calendar promoted by the Metropolitan City of Naples, a program that supports cultural events in the municipalities of the Naples area. This recognition has allowed Mariglianella to host artists of regional and national renown, from comedy actors to bands representing Campania's folk traditions.

The Feast of Saint John the Evangelist

The September editions are closely linked to the patronal feast of Saint John the Evangelist, the most significant moment of the year for the Mariglianella community, celebrated with the traditional Festa dei Gigli and religious rites at the parish. The festival complements this devotional calendar with a secular entertainment program, creating a long weekend of festivities that marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in the Nola area.

Neapolitan comedy and folk music

The festival's artistic identity is clear: on one hand, Neapolitan comedy theater and cabaret, featuring faces beloved by television audiences and Campania's theaters; on the other, folk music, with tammurriate, tarantelle, and tributes to the great Neapolitan songwriters, from Renato Carosone to Pino Daniele. This balance allows the festival to appeal to a very diverse audience, from children to the elderly.

Always free admission

All Mariglianella Cresce shows offer free admission, subject to availability. Reservations are not required: it is recommended to arrive early, as shows generally start at 9:00 PM for summer evenings and 8:30 PM for indoor winter events.