Pesce in Festa
The local seafood festival at the tourist port of Casal Velino Marina
About Pesce in Festa
Cilento's catch celebrated on the pier
Pesce in Festa is the festival that every September turns the tourist port of Casal Velino Marina, in the municipality of Casal Velino (Province of Salerno, Campania), into a large open-air kitchen overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. The event was born from the collaboration between local fishermen, the Pesce in Festa Association, and the Pro Loco: for several evenings, the quay fills with stalls, long tables, and music, as the freshly landed catch moves almost directly from the boats to the frying pans. This is not a staged fair, but the authentic celebration of a seaside village showcasing its own heritage.
What to eat
The common thread is blue fish and, more generally, the humble catch of the Cilento coast, prepared according to home-style recipes. Typical dishes found at the stalls include:
- Frittura di paranza (mixed fried small fish) and mixed or squid cuoppo, served hot in paper cones;
- Friselle with marinated anchovies, a staple of Cilento's maritime cuisine;
- Pasta e fagioli with mussels and seafood soups;
- Grilled sea bream and pasta dishes featuring the daily catch;
- Fried pizza and traditional desserts, paired with local wines and the classic wine-and-peach combination.
The festival follows a popular format: you purchase food at individual stalls and eat at communal tables, with portions designed for sharing. It is the most direct way to experience how seafood is prepared in these parts—without sauces or frills, focusing entirely on the freshness of the raw ingredients.
Folk music, folklore, and tales of the sea
Alongside the gastronomy, every evening features free concerts by Southern Italian folk music groups, dancing, folkloric shows, and family-friendly entertainment. There are also workshops on maritime arts and meetings dedicated to the history of fishing and the local area: nets, knots, tools, and fishermen's stories turn the pier into a small open-air museum. This is the aspect of the festival that distinguishes it from a simple food fair and gives it cultural value.
A tradition born in 2013
The first edition took place in Marina di Casal Velino in 2013. Since then, the festival has grown to become one of the most anticipated events in the late-summer Cilento calendar. After a forced hiatus during the pandemic years, it restarted in 2023, reaching its eighth edition. Today, Pesce in Festa effectively closes the 'Estate Casalvelinese' season, the summer program promoted by the Municipality.
The tourist port, a natural setting
The Tourist Port of Casal Velino Marina is the heart of the celebration: the quay, the moored boats, and the sea reflecting the lights of the stalls create an atmosphere that is hard to replicate elsewhere. Casal Velino Marina is the coastal district of the municipality and one of the most popular seaside resorts in this part of Cilento. In September, it offers the advantage of a lively destination without the August crowds, allowing you to dine at the port and then take a stroll along the promenade.
September in Casal Velino
Pesce in Festa kicks off the town's most intense month. A few days after the festival, on September 21st, Casal Velino Marina celebrates Saint Matthew, the patron saint of the village, with religious services, a traditional fair, and civic festivities. Visitors arriving for the seafood festival can experience the dual soul of the territory—maritime and devotional—within a single week, with a density of events that few municipalities of this size in Campania can offer.
Who is it for?
This event is suitable for everyone: families, thanks to free admission and open-air spaces; couples, for the port setting at sunset; and groups of friends looking for a convivial evening at an affordable price. Those traveling in Cilento in September can easily include it in a broader itinerary covering the coast, hilltop villages, and archaeological sites in the Province of Salerno.
Pesce in Festa — edition 2026
Pesce in Festa 2026: from September 11th to 17th
The official program of the Estate Casalvelinese 2026, presented by the Municipality of Casal Velino, schedules Pesce in Festa from September 11th to 17th, 2026, at the Tourist Port of Casal Velino Marina. The gastronomic event is, along with the Saint Matthew festivities on September 21st, one of the two main events that close the summer calendar of the Municipality, in the Province of Salerno.
What to expect
The established format includes the evening opening of stalls with local seafood cooked according to Cilento recipes, free folk music concerts, folklore, and moments dedicated to maritime arts. The organization is entrusted to the Pesce in Festa Association together with the Pro Loco Casal Velino, with the involvement of fishermen and tourist port operators.
Program being updated
At the time of writing this sheet, the details of the individual evenings have not yet been released. It is recommended to check for updates on the official channels of the event and the Municipality in the weeks immediately preceding the event.
Programme Pesce in Festa 2026
The official program of the Estate Casalvelinese 2026 sets Pesce in Festa from September 11th to 17th, 2026, at the Tourist Port of Casal Velino Marina.
At the time of writing this sheet, the detailed program of the evenings — opening hours of the stalls, workshops, and names of musical groups — has not yet been made public by the organizers. The format established over the years includes the evening opening of food stalls along the quay, free folk music concerts, folkloric shows, and meetings on the art of fishing and the history of the territory.
The complete program is usually published in the weeks preceding the event on the channels of the Pesce in Festa Association, the Pro Loco Casal Velino, and the Municipality.
Highlights Pesce in Festa 2026
- Seven days of celebration on the pier of the Tourist Port of Casal Velino Marina, from September 11th to 17th, 2026.
- Food stalls with fresh Cilento catch: fried paranza, cuoppi, friselle with marinated anchovies, seafood soups, and pasta with the daily catch.
- Free evening folk music concerts and folkloric shows.
- Workshops and meetings on maritime arts and local fishing history.
- Free admission and the setting of the tourist port overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
- A few days later, on September 21st, the festivities for Saint Matthew, patron saint of Casal Velino Marina.
Prices Pesce in Festa 2026
Practical information — Pesce in Festa
Where it takes place
Tourist Port of Casal Velino Marina, coastal district of the Municipality of Casal Velino (ZIP 84040), Province of Salerno, Campania. Stalls and stages are set up along the port quay.
How to get there
- By car: Exit the Cilentana highway (SS 18 var.) towards Casal Velino Marina, then follow signs for the port. On festival evenings, it is advisable to arrive early and park in the promenade areas, then continue on foot.
- By train: The nearest stations on the Cilento Tyrrhenian line are Vallo della Lucania-Castelnuovo and Ascea, connected to Casal Velino Marina by local bus lines or taxis.
- By plane: The reference airport is Naples-Capodichino, followed by a transfer to Cilento.
Admission and costs
Access to the event area is free, as are the evening concerts. You only pay for what you consume, purchasing dishes directly at the individual stalls according to the price list displayed on-site.
Practical tips
- Evenings begin after sunset: in September, it can get chilly at the port, so bringing a light sweater is recommended.
- The most popular stalls (fried fish and cuoppi) get crowded during the peak hours of the evening: arriving at opening time reduces wait times.
- The period coincides with the patronal feast of Saint Matthew on September 21st: those staying for a few days can enjoy two events in one.
- For accommodation, Casal Velino Marina offers a wide range of hotels, residences, and guest houses, but booking in advance is recommended for September.
Contacts and updates
The organization is managed by the Pesce in Festa Association together with the Pro Loco Casal Velino. The detailed program is published in the weeks leading up to the event on the official Facebook page of the festival and on the channels of the Municipality of Casal Velino.
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Where does it take place — Pesce in Festa
Porto Turistico di Casal Velino Marina
Porto Turistico di Casal Velino Marina, 84040 Casal Velino