Paranza Catch Festival

Three nights of frying on the Cilento coast

The Paranza Catch Festival is one of the most anticipated gastronomic events of the early summer in Cilento. It takes place in Santa Maria di Castellabate, the seaside district of the town of Castellabate, in the province of Salerno (Campania), within the park of Villa Matarazzo, traditionally occupying the final days of May and June 1st. The 2026 edition, the fifteenth, took place from Saturday, May 30th to Monday, June 1st.

The name refers to the paranza, the small fishing boat that operates close to the shore and brings back the so-called "poor fish": red mullet, anchovies, baby squid, shrimp, and small cuttlefish. This is the daily catch of the Castellabate fleet, which for centuries has sustained the coastal villages and has now become the symbol of a simple, immediate, and deeply authentic seafood cuisine.

The giant pan and 2.5 tons of catch

The scenic heart of the festival is the four-meter-diameter pan, inspired by the tradition of the Ligurian festival in Camogli and set up in the center of the dining area. Over the three nights, more than 2.5 tons of fish provided by local fishermen are fried: red mullet, "suacie," shrimp, and squid are floured and fried in plain sight, then served piping hot in paper cones.

Around the fry-up, the offerings have expanded year by year: seafood pasta dishes, panuozzi and sandwiches, lighter options for those avoiding fried food, traditional Cilento desserts, and, as of 2026, a selection of gluten-free options. The frying is done using oil provided by Oleificio Zucchi, a historic sponsor of the event alongside Pastificio Di Martino.

The program: music, markets, and workshops

Every evening, the villa's park comes alive from sunset with food stalls, artisan product markets from Cilento, educational workshops dedicated to maritime culture and ancient fishing trades, and live cooking shows held with the fishermen. There is also a dedicated space for children, making the festival suitable for families.

The musical entertainment is hosted on a stage featuring bands, singer-songwriters, and—in recent years—the finals of the Campania Festival, a national singing competition divided into Children, Junior, Emerging, and Big categories. The evenings often continue well past midnight with dancing and popular entertainment.

Villa Matarazzo, a cinematic setting

The venue is no minor detail: Villa Matarazzo is the 19th-century summer residence of Count Francesco Matarazzo, who emigrated to Brazil in 1881 and became one of the great industrialists of his time. Its park overlooking the sea is now one of the iconic landmarks of Santa Maria di Castellabate and is also well-known to the general public for being a set for the film Benvenuti al Sud.

A festival with an eye on sustainability

The event is proudly plastic-free: tastings are served in biodegradable and compostable containers, while the scheduled seminars address topics such as the Mediterranean Diet and the protection of the marine ecosystem. This approach is consistent with the territory, as Castellabate is part of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, which grants its patronage alongside the Campania Region, the Province of Salerno, and the Municipality of Castellabate.

Why it's worth the trip

• A seafood fry-up made with the day's catch from Castellabate boats, not frozen products.
• A rare setting: a historic park on the seafront with views of the Gulf of Salerno.
• Three nights of live music and shows with free admission.
• The chance to combine the festival with a visit to the medieval village of Castellabate, perched above the coast.
• Well-oiled organization: fifteen editions curated by the Punta Tresino Association with local fishermen's associations.