Night of the Witches
Three nights of janare, rituals, and folk music in the historic center of Benevento
About Night of the Witches
Benevento, the city of the janare
Few Italian cities have an identity as recognizable as Benevento, the capital of the province of the same name in Campania. For centuries, the city's name has been linked to the legend of the Benevento Walnut Tree and the janare, the witches of Sannio: women whom popular tradition describes as herbalists, midwives, and healers—often independent and rebellious figures who used their knowledge to serve the community, and were feared for it. The Night of the Witches was created to share this intangible heritage, restoring its historical depth rather than reducing it to mere postcard folklore.
An event that has fueled the Sannio summer
Reaching its fourteenth edition in 2026, the festival is now one of the most anticipated summer events in the Sannio region. It is conceived and organized by journalist Antonio De Cristofaro and Adriana Francesca, president of the social promotion association Sannitamania, with the support of local entities such as Coldiretti Benevento, the Automotoclub Storico Antico Sannio, and the Province of Benevento. In recent years, the event moved from September to late July, capturing the warmest and most vibrant evenings of the summer.
The historic center becomes an open-air stage
The format is that of a widespread festival: not a single stage, but an entire historic center to be explored on foot. Corso Garibaldi hosts street performances, the Voci di Janare (Voices of the Janare), tarot readings, oracles, and herbal demonstrations; Piazza Federico Torre is the musical heart and the venue for award ceremonies; Piazza Castello, in front of the Rocca dei Rettori, hosts rustic street food and exhibitions; Piazza Roma and the narrow alleys fill with attractions, artisan markets, and small theatrical scenes. The Egyptian Obelisk, a testament to the cult of Isis that intertwines with the history of the janare in Benevento, becomes the backdrop for dance performances.
The Janara Experience and immersive paths
The most ambitious project of recent editions is the Janara Experience, set up in the Arco del Sacramento archaeological area: a multi-stage path featuring theatrical reenactments of witch trials and creatures of Sannio tradition, from the Manalonga to the Zucculara. Alongside this, exhibitions such as Torments of the Soul, dedicated to the history of torture, and The Cemetery of the Skulls, focusing on the popular cult of the dead, are accompanied by painting and sculpture displays inspired by the janare.
Southern folk music
The soundtrack is that of the southern tradition: tammurriate, dance songs, accordions, Campanian folk groups, and the pastellesse of the bottari, played with barrels, vats, and scythes. The evenings in Piazza Federico Torre regularly close with free-entry concerts, while a separate paid event brings great Neapolitan songs to the setting of the Roman Theater.
The Janara Award
Since 2022, the festival has presented the Janara Award, a recognition dedicated to individuals who have distinguished themselves for originality, professionalism, and ingenuity in social work, culture, journalism, entertainment, sports, scientific research, and entrepreneurship. It is the institutional highlight of the festival and one of the most followed moments by the Benevento public.
Experiences not to be missed
- In the Footsteps of the Janare: an evening guided tour starting from the upper part of the city and descending into the heart of the historic center amidst symbols, mysteries, and legends.
- Night photo walk dedicated to the invisible janare, accompanied by a professional photographer.
- Ceramics workshops to mold your own amulet.
- Rustic street food by Campagna Amica featuring typical Sannio products.
- Exhibition of vintage cars and motorcycles in Piazza Castello.
Why it is worth the trip
The Night of the Witches is not just a costume party: it is an intelligent way to tell the story of the identity of Benevento and inland Campania, where the myth of the janare overlaps with Lombard history, Eastern cults brought by the Roman Empire, and the rural culture of Sannio. For those visiting the city, the three evenings are also the best opportunity to discover the Arch of Trajan, the UNESCO-listed Church of Santa Sofia, the Roman Theater, and the Rocca dei Rettori in a truly unique atmosphere.
Night of the Witches — edition 2026
The 14th edition: the most widespread ever
Presented at the Rocca dei Rettori, the 2026 edition of the Night of the Witches focused entirely on roaming performances, multiplying the locations throughout the historic center of Benevento. The main novelty was the Janara Experience in the Arco del Sacramento archaeological area, a multi-stage theatrical path about witch trials and creatures of Sannio tradition. The Janara Award, now in its fifth edition, was confirmed, along with the In the Footsteps of the Janare tours, exhibitions on torture and the cult of the skulls, and three evenings of rustic street food with Coldiretti in Piazza Castello.
The event is conceived and organized by journalist Antonio De Cristofaro and Adriana Francesca, president of Sannitamania. Among the twelve winners of the 2026 Janara Award was the internationally renowned oncologist Paolo Ascierto.
Programme Night of the Witches 2026
Friday, July 24
- Piazza Castello, from 8:00 PM: rustic street food with Campagna Amica products.
- Via Traiano (ex John), from 8:30 PM: Visions exhibition, paintings and sculptures inspired by the janare; Mold your magic with Clay ceramics workshop (90 minutes).
- Piazza Roma: Ghost Train attraction for all ages and artisan witch market.
- Piazza Federico Torre: traditional music concert by Suoni Barricati from Acerra.
- Egyptian Obelisk, from 9:00 PM: Dance of the Moon performance.
- Corso Garibaldi, from 9:00 PM: Voices of the Janare, photography workshop, and roaming performances.
- Rocca dei Rettori, 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM: In the Footsteps of the Janare guided tour.
Saturday, July 25
- Piazza Castello, from 7:00 PM to midnight: rustic street food and vintage car and motorcycle exhibition by the Automotoclub Storico Antico Sannio.
- Piazza Federico Torre, 8:30 PM: 2026 Janara Award ceremony, fifth edition, followed by a concert by C'Antica Muronia from Castel Morrone.
- Galleria Bosco, Corso Garibaldi, from 8:30 PM to midnight: Torments of the Soul exhibition on the history of torture and The Cemetery of the Skulls.
- Corso Garibaldi, from 9:00 PM: The Oracle of the Janara, The Ballad of the Janare, Herbarie on traditional herbs, theatrical rituals, and selfie stations with the janare.
- Arco del Sacramento, from 9:00 PM: Janara Experience, with reenactments of witch trials and the legends of the Manalonga and the Zucculara.
Sunday, July 26
- Piazza Castello, from 8:00 PM: rustic street food, ceramics workshop, and Visions exhibition.
- Piazza Santa Sofia, 7:00 PM: departure of the Invisible Janare photo walk.
- Piazza Federico Torre, 9:00 PM: book presentation The Janare and the Cult of Isis by Antonio De Cristofaro, in conversation with Grazia Caruso; followed by a concert by I Bottari from Macerata Campania with barrels, vats, and scythes.
- Corso Garibaldi, from 9:00 PM: roaming performances and Magical Readings by Elide Apice.
- Arco del Sacramento, 9:00 PM, 10:00 PM, and 11:00 PM: repeat of the Janara Experience performances.
Collateral event
Friday, September 11, 2026, 8:30 PM, Roman Theater: Sounds and Rhythms of the South – 'E voci 'e Napule, a live evening dedicated to great Neapolitan songs (paid entry).
Highlights Night of the Witches 2026
- First edition of the Janara Experience in the Arco del Sacramento archaeological area.
- 2026 Janara Award, fifth edition, with twelve winners including oncologist Paolo Ascierto.
- Concert by I Bottari of Macerata Campania with pastellesse played on barrels, vats, and scythes.
- Presentation of the book The Janare and the Cult of Isis in the shadow of the Egyptian Obelisk.
- Three evenings of rustic street food by Coldiretti in Piazza Castello.
- Torments of the Soul and The Cemetery of the Skulls exhibitions in Galleria Bosco.
Prices Night of the Witches 2026
Practical information — Night of the Witches
How to get there
By train: Benevento Centrale station, connected to Naples, Caserta, and Foggia; from the station, the historic center can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot or by city bus. By car: from the A1, take the Caserta Nord exit and then the SS7 Appia variant, or from the A16, take the Benevento-Castel del Lago exit; the historic center is largely pedestrianized during the evenings, so it is best to use the perimeter parking lots. By plane: Naples Capodichino Airport, about 70 km away.
Tickets and rates
Street activities, roaming performances, and concerts in Piazza Federico Torre are free of charge. The Janara Experience at the Arco del Sacramento (8 euros), the In the Footsteps of the Janare guided tours (5 euros per person), and the photo walk (20 euros) require a fee. Presale tickets are available at the Witch Museum on Via San Gaetano 22, at the All Net Service info point on Lungocalore Manfredi di Svevia 18, and online at i-ticket.it.
Useful tips
- Wear comfortable shoes: the route is entirely on foot over cobblestones and uphill towards the Rocca dei Rettori.
- The most popular activities (guided tours, workshops, photo walks) have limited spots: it is best to book in advance.
- Evenings start around 8:00 PM and continue until late at night: it is an ideal event for families in the early part, and more atmospheric after 10:00 PM.
- For accommodation, it is best to look in the center or along Viale Atlantici; alternatively, the villages of the Valle Telesina and Sant'Agata de' Goti are half an hour away by car.
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Where does it take place — Night of the Witches
Centro storico di Benevento
Corso Garibaldi, 82100 Benevento