Orecchiette Festival

An evening dedicated to handmade orecchiette

In Savignano Irpino, a small village of just over a thousand residents perched at an altitude of 718 meters, the Orecchiette Festival is the gastronomic highlight that draws visitors from across the province of Avellino and nearby Puglia every summer. It takes place along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, in the heart of the historic center, transforming the town's main street into a massive open-air dining room.

The undisputed star is the Savignano-style orecchietta, a dome-shaped pasta shape crafted strictly by hand. Local women knead water, flour, and eggs to shape the pasta one by one; it is this delicate egg-based dough that sets them apart, perfectly complementing local sauces prepared according to family recipes—from classic meat ragù to lighter fresh tomato, or even modern variations with arugula.

One of the oldest festivals in Irpinia

The first edition dates back to 1977, making it one of the longest-running food and wine events in the entire region. It was born with the goal of reviving local traditions and promoting Irpinia's rich agri-food heritage at a time when village festivals were not yet the widespread phenomenon they are today. Since then, the formula has remained largely unchanged, which is perhaps its secret: simple cooking, local ingredients, and the collective participation of an entire community.

The festival is not an isolated event. It is part of the civil program of the Feast of Saint Anne, the patron saint of Savignano Irpino, organized by the Saint Anne Festival Committee in collaboration with the parish of San Nicola Vescovo. The festivities begin in late July with a novena at the Mother Church, the evocative penitential procession at dawn on July 26th, and evening concerts on the main street, continuing until mid-August with a torchlight procession and the Saint Anne Lottery drawing. The Orecchiette Festival serves as the culinary centerpiece of this long summer calendar.

What to expect

• Opening of food stalls in the evening along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, typically running from approximately 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM;
• Distribution of over a thousand plates of orecchiette tossed in traditional sauces;
• Other popular Irpinian dishes, such as penne all'arrabbiata and late-night spaghetti;
• Exhibition stalls featuring local artisanal products;
• Live music, folk groups, and dancing until late.

In previous years, the evening has been enlivened by local bands and musical ensembles, while taste workshops—open to children—have allowed visitors to observe the fresh pasta-making process up close: a simple, direct way to pass on a craft that has been handed down here for generations.

Savignano Irpino: a village to discover

Located on the border between Campania and Puglia, Savignano Irpino joined the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" network in 2016 and was the first municipality in Campania to receive the Yellow Flag certification. The historic center preserves the Castello de Guevara, of Norman origin, the 14th-century Church of San Nicola and Saint Anne, and Palazzo Orsini, built in 1727 as a hospice for pilgrims.

The area is also known for its Irpinia — Colline dell'Ufita PDO extra virgin olive oil, made from the Ravece cultivar, which naturally pairs with the homemade pasta. The festival is the perfect opportunity to combine a stroll through the village with a discovery of the flavors of upper Irpinia.

Why it's worth the trip

The Orecchiette Festival is not a manufactured tourist event; it is a village feast with nearly half a century of history, still run by the locals, for the locals, and for anyone who wants to pull up a chair at their table. Visitors from out of town will find affordable prices, generous portions, and a warm welcome that is a highlight in itself. In a region where summer festivals number in the hundreds, the Savignano Irpino event remains a benchmark for authenticity and continuity.