Nottambula

One night, the whole city celebrates

Nottambula is the white night of San Salvo, a town on the Trabocchi Coast in the province of Chieti, Abruzzo. Every year, on the evening of August 13th, the historic center transforms into a massive open-air stage: from the early evening until dawn, alleys, squares, and the municipal park fill with music, shows, lights, and crowds. It is the most anticipated event of the San Salvo summer, preceding the Ferragosto holiday and drawing thousands of visitors from the Vasto area and nearby Molise every year.

Music, shows, and street performers

The beauty of Nottambula is that there isn't just one stage, but dozens of corners animated simultaneously. You can move from the DJ sets of the "Tech Nottambula" area in the municipal park to dance performances, from street bands parading through the crowd to street performers: fire-eaters, tightrope walkers, stilt walkers, magicians, and jugglers who surprise the public at every turn. There are also dance shows by local schools, live saxophone performances, LED robot shows, and Holi Dance performances. For the little ones, there are inflatables, cotton candy, and popcorn, while street food accompanies the evening all along the route.

Culture and solidarity in the heart of the night

During Nottambula, local cultural sites remain open for special evening hours, such as the Porta della Terra Civic Museum and the Quadrilatero Archaeological Park, blending fun with the discovery of San Salvo's history. The event, organized by the New Generation Association with the patronage of the Municipality of San Salvo, also dedicates space each year to social awareness, with information points from the Italian Red Cross and the municipal AVIS for blood donation.

How to experience the white night

To allow everyone to reach the center without worry, a night shuttle service is activated, connecting San Salvo Marina to the historic center with runs until the early hours of the morning. Nottambula is a testament to how a small Abruzzo town can create, through the energy of volunteers and local youth, one of the most vibrant and popular summer events in the entire province of Chieti.