Parulano Festival

A festival born from the gardens of the Agro Nocerino

In Nocera Inferiore, in the heart of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese, the word parulano refers to the local market gardener: the farmer who worked the parule, the irrigated vegetable plots that for centuries sustained the plains between the Sarno river and the Lattari Mountains. The Parco district, where the festival takes place, is historically known by this very name. This is the origin of the Parulano Festival—or, in the Neapolitan dialect, Sagra d' 'o Parulano—a neighborhood celebration that brings the humble dishes of Campanian peasant tradition and the crafts of yesteryear back to the table.

The Parulano pacchero, the signature dish

The absolute star is the Parulano pacchero, seasoned with two local excellences that are not just a tourist attraction but the area's true agricultural history: the San Marzano DOP tomato of the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese and the Nocera spring onion (cipollotto nocerino DOP). Alongside the main course, food stands offer fragrant pizzas, stuffed sandwiches, and other specialties for all ages, in a popular format that has made the festival a staple of the Nocera summer.

• Parulano pacchero with San Marzano DOP tomatoes and Nocera spring onions
• Freshly baked pizza
• Stuffed sandwiches and traditional peasant specialties
• Vegetables and typical products from the 'parula'

Three evenings of folk music, theater, and comedy

The festival is more than just food. Each edition features a stage hosting folk music with tammorre, folkloric shows, amateur theater companies, local dance schools, and beloved names from the Campanian Neapolitan and neomelodic music scene. One evening is traditionally dedicated to children, with bouncy castles, entertainment, and outdoor games, while the closing night usually features a concert followed by fireworks.

The 2026 edition, the twentieth

In 2026, the event reached the milestone of its twentieth edition, held from July 17th to 19th in the San Mauro school courtyard. The program featured entertainment for children, dialect theater, dance performances, Holy Mass in honor of Saint Anne, the comedy duo I Sciosciammocca, a neomelodic night, and a concert by Nando Mariano, with fireworks closing the Sunday festivities.

A festival run by volunteers

The Parulano Festival is organized by the Il Laghetto Non-Profit Association together with the volunteers of the San Mauro district, who manage the kitchens, setup, and service every year. It is a self-funded event that has grown without major sponsors: it is precisely this neighborhood dimension, with families sitting at long tables and local youth running the stands, that the public recognizes as its most authentic trait.

Nocera Inferiore and the Campania of festivals

With nearly 45,000 inhabitants, Nocera Inferiore is one of the main centers of the province of Salerno and the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese, an area historically dedicated to tomato processing. The festival fits into a packed Campanian summer calendar full of patronal feasts and food and wine events, yet it retains a unique identity: here, it is not an abstract product being celebrated, but the craft of those who cultivated it. For those visiting the area, it is also an opportunity to discover the historic center, the Sanctuary of Saint Anne, the Parco village, and the nearby Nocera Superiore with its early Christian Baptistery of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Tips for your visit

• Evenings start in the late afternoon and continue late into the night: it is best to arrive early to find a seat at the tables.
• The audience is primarily local and family-oriented, with a strong presence of children on the first evening.
• Payment at the stands is generally in cash: it is best to bring small change.