Partenio Chestnut and Porcini Mushroom Festival

An autumn festival at the foot of the Partenio

When the chestnut groves surrounding Pannarano turn shades of yellow and rust, this small town in the Province of Benevento, Campania, prepares for its most cherished event: the Partenio Chestnut and Porcini Mushroom Festival. Established in 2022 by the Pro Loco Pannarano APS, the event has grown with each edition to become one of the most recognizable autumn stops on the Sannio side of the Partenio Regional Park.

With a population of just under two thousand, the village is located about forty-five kilometers from Naples and fifteen from Benevento—a border position that makes it a natural balcony overlooking the Partenio woods and the Caudina Valley. It is precisely from these woods, which rise steeply behind the houses, that the two stars of the festival come.

Partenio chestnuts and porcini mushrooms: the two protagonists

The festival was born from a very clear idea: to put on the table what the land truly produces, without filters or shortcuts. In the valley that opens up beneath the Partenio Park, high-quality porcini mushrooms and chestnuts are easily found, and they dictate the festival's menu.

• The Partenio chestnut — harvested in the groves that climb from the village toward the mountains, it is the raw material for roasted chestnuts, desserts, and the oldest dishes of local peasant cuisine.
• The porcini mushroom — the massif's woods have always been a hunting ground for local foragers; the porcini arrives at the stalls fresh, cooked according to simple recipes that enhance its aroma.

Three days of stalls, music, and walks

The festival's formula is simple and well-tested: the historic center fills with food stalls, folk music accompanies the evenings, and visitors can alternate between dining and walking in nature. The ingredients that return in every edition are four:

• Food stalls dedicated to chestnuts and porcini mushrooms, featuring traditional Sannio dishes.
• Folk music and performances along the village alleys, with dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday.
• Nature walks and trails to explore the woods and chestnut groves of the Partenio.
• Guided cultural tours to discover the village, its streets, and its traditions.

The organizers have often described it as "a simple and genuine celebration": not a massive event for thousands, but a weekend where a mountain village opens its doors and tells its story through its flavors.

The editions that built the festival

• 2022 — first edition, October 22-23.
• 2023 — second edition, October 20-22, with the patronage of the Municipality and the collaboration of the Teste Matte association.
• 2024 — third edition, November 1-3.
• 2025 — fourth edition, from Friday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2, with dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday.

A village that tells its story in summer too

The Pro Loco Pannarano does not limit itself to autumn: throughout the year, the village hosts other initiatives following the same philosophy, such as Vicoli e Piazze and the Festa delle Radici, both held in mid-August. However, the October festival remains the most defining event, directly linking the community to its landscape: a forest that provides a living and, once a year, becomes a celebration.

When to go

The timing is always the same: late October or early November, often coinciding with the All Saints' Day long weekend, when chestnuts and porcini are at their seasonal peak. It is also the ideal time for those who want to combine dining with a hike in the Partenio Park, with the forest colors at their most vibrant. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced by the Pro Loco: it is best to follow the association's channels in the weeks leading up to autumn.