Mountain Festival

A festival born from a bond with the mountains

The Mountain Festival in Perdifumo, located in the heart of the Cilento region in the province of Salerno, is one of the longest-running summer events in Campania. Established in 1963, the festival celebrates the daily relationship between the community and the surrounding heights every mid-August, particularly Monte della Stella, the peak that dominates this corner of Cilento and gives its name to the entire area.

Monte della Stella, a symbol of the territory

Monte della Stella is more than just a scenic backdrop: it is the identity reference for the villages along its slopes. Perdifumo is one of the towns from which trails lead to the summit, home to a small Marian sanctuary that is a destination for summer pilgrimages. The festival recaptures this dimension: people walk, admire the landscape of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, and then gather together.

The open-air mass

The central moment of the day is the open-air mass, held in a lush, green setting. It is a simple, well-attended ritual that preserves the devotional character of ancient Cilento peasant festivals and marks the beginning of the event's social festivities.

The flavors of Cilento

Following the religious service, the festival shifts to gastronomy. The stalls set up by volunteers offer products that tell the story of the peasant cuisine of these hills:

• Soppressata and sausages of local production;
• Cilento taralli, crunchy and fragrant;
• Fritters and homemade desserts prepared by local families;
• Traditional Cilento dishes and local wines.

The preparation is largely entrusted to the inhabitants, following a spirit of collective celebration rather than a commercial fair: the community itself cooks and serves, just as it did at the festival's inception.

Folk songs, music, and Miss Mountain

In the afternoon and evening, the program opens up to entertainment: folk songs, live music, and performances animate the village until nightfall. Among the historic highlights of the event is the election of Miss Mountain, a beauty pageant linked to the town, which in recent editions has been accompanied by fashion shows and provincial pageant selections. There is also no shortage of craft markets along the streets of the center.

The village dressed in green

One of the most recognizable images of the festival is the decoration of the village with green branches and foliage: for one day, the streets of Perdifumo turn into a woodland path, visually recalling the mountain theme. It is a detail that, more than any other, explains why this is considered one of the oldest and most iconic festivals in Cilento.

Who organizes it

The event is managed by the Pro Loco Perdifumo e Frazioni, chaired by Agostino Pisano, with the support of the Municipality of Perdifumo. The same association enlivens the entire summer calendar of the village, which includes PerdiTrad in June, ArteViva in July, Perdifumo Porte Aperte in mid-August, and Perdifolk at the end of the month: those arriving in the village for the Mountain Festival can easily include it in a longer stay.

When it takes place

Historically, the Mountain Festival falls on August 13th: this was the case for the 58th edition in 2023, the 59th in 2024, and the 60th in 2025. At the time of writing, the 2026 calendar has not yet been released: it is therefore advisable to check the date on the Pro Loco and Municipality channels before traveling.