Oleica

Oleica, the village that lights up in winter

Oleica is the festival that, between late December and early January, turns the historic center of Oliveto Citra—a town in the province of Salerno, Campania—into a long journey of taste and entertainment. Alleys, doorways, and squares fill with tasting stalls, while bonfires are lit along the streets, giving the event its signature look: an evening stroll set in a bygone era, where the warmth of the flames guides the public from one stop to the next.

A festival born around olive oil

The name says it all: Oleica was created to promote olive growing and local traditional products. Oliveto Citra is a member of the National Association of Oil Cities, and as the name suggests, the olive tree is a defining element of its landscape and economy. The festival focuses on local extra virgin olive oil while showcasing the broader culinary culture of the upper Sele Valley: flours, legumes, cheeses, cured meats, and wine.

What to find along the route

• Food and wine trail through the historic alleys, featuring traditional Oliveto dishes alongside more contemporary options designed for younger palates.
• Extra virgin olive oil and local wine, the stars of the tastings alongside products from local producers.
• Roving music: each evening features different genres, from folk to blues, singer-songwriter sets to electronic music.
• Street performers and fire shows, animating the village corners with continuous performances.
• Cultural moments, such as conferences dedicated to the olive oil supply chain and rural development, as seen in previous editions.

Previous editions

The third edition took place from December 27 to 29, 2024, spanning three evenings: a Friday opening with tastings and music in the alleys, a Saturday conference in the Council Chamber on "Roots Tourism and Agri-food Products: Strategies to enhance olive growing and rural areas," and a Sunday trail dedicated to the three Fs—farine, fagioli e frantoi (flour, beans, and oil mills)—with roving music and family entertainment. The second edition, also held in December, followed the same "three Fs" theme, proving the project's growth while remaining true to its rural identity.

An event between Christmas and New Year

Oleica has a precise spot on the calendar: the evenings fall during the holidays between Christmas, New Year's, and Epiphany, when the village fills with residents returning for the holidays and visitors from neighboring towns. It is a perfect way to close the old year and welcome the new one while strolling outdoors, with the cold tempered by braziers and a glass of wine in hand. Admission to the route is free; you only pay for tastings using tickets sold on-site.

Oliveto Citra and the Sele Valley

Located east of Salerno, in a panoramic position overlooking the upper Sele Valley, Oliveto Citra is a medieval village dominated by the Castello Guerritore. Its annual calendar is packed with events, from the historic Grape Festival in early October, now in its fifty-second year, to the summer events of the Agosto Olivetano. Oleica is its winter counterpart, bringing the alleys to life during the coldest time of the year and showing visitors a more intimate side of inland Campania, far from the beaten coastal paths.