May Festival / Corolli Festival

A tradition that smells of spring

The May Festival, also known as the Corolli Festival, is one of the most cherished events in the municipality of Campo nell'Elba, in the province of Livorno, in the heart of the Island of Elba. It is a spring rite with ancient roots that returns every year to enliven the local hamlets throughout the Sundays of May. More than just an event, it is a piece of collective identity passed down from generation to generation: those who grew up here know every gesture, every song, and every flavor.

The serenade on the night of April 30th

The romantic heart of the festival beats on the night between April 30th and May 1st. A group of about twenty singers, armed with guitars, accordions, and saxophones, marches through the streets of the town to perform serenades beneath the windows of the local girls. The May song—which has different nuances in Marina di Campo compared to San Piero—echoes through the port, Piazza del Monumento, Via Marconi, the Nomellini seafront, the Mulini district, and many other corners of the town. Between one house and the next, a few stops for a glass of wine help the singers endure the long night. In the past, when social contact between young men and women was very limited, this was one of the rare opportunities to declare one's feelings and get noticed.

The corollo, the festival's signature pastry

The true star is the corollo, a characteristic Elban ring-shaped pastry with a hole in the center. Prepared by the girls who received the serenade, it is brought to the square as a gesture of thanks to the singers. The dough combines flour, butter, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and liqueur—Sassolino or anise, depending on the family recipe—resulting in a fragrant and delicious treat. During the festival, the corolli are sliced and judged by a jury that awards the best one: a tasty little competition that puts the pride of local home bakers on the line.

Sunday after Sunday, from hamlet to hamlet

The unique feature of the festival is its itinerant nature: every Sunday in May, a different hamlet of Campo nell'Elba hosts its own celebration, from Bonalaccia to Marina di Campo, from Seccheto to San Piero, and finally Sant'Ilario. In every square, there are food stalls, live music, and traditional dances in an atmosphere of wholesome fun and good food. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the most authentic side of Elba, far from the crowded summer beaches, in the company of the residents who guard this custom with genuine affection.

A legacy to experience

Interrupted during the war years and resumed in the post-war period, the May Festival has survived to this day thanks to the Pro Loco, recreational clubs, and local cultural associations. For those visiting Tuscany and the archipelago in spring, it is an unmissable appointment: a free, popular, and welcoming festival that restores the deepest sense of the Elban community.