Pizza Festival

The Pizza Festival: Montella's summer on a plate

Every August, the Pizza Festival draws families, groups of friends, and travelers passing through Alta Irpinia to Montella, in the province of Avellino. The concept behind the event is simple and effective: bringing Italy's most beloved dish to the town square and serving it hot, straight from the oven, in a lively, festive setting. For the occasion, the Via Michele Cianciulli square turns into a large open-air pizzeria, complete with stalls, communal tables, and that relaxed vibe typical of summer food festivals in the Campania region.

An event by the Pro Loco Montella Alto Calore

The event is organized by the Pro Loco Montella Alto Calore, the association that drives much of the town's event calendar. The Pizza Festival is part of the Montella Estate program, promoted by the Municipality of Montella in collaboration with local associations: a schedule that, from late May to early September, features food festivals, hikes on the Verteglia Plateau, musical evenings, children's activities, and sporting events.

In the Pro Loco's 2026 annual program, the event is listed as the second edition, appearing alongside other initiatives curated by the association: the Pasta and Bruschetta Festival, the Beer Festival, the 42nd Montella PGI Chestnut Festival, and the Christmas Markets. The Pizza Festival is now a fully-fledged part of the cycle of celebrations that defines the Montella year.

What to eat

• Freshly prepared pizza made by local pizza chefs and Pro Loco volunteers, served in multiple rounds throughout the evening;
• Typical Irpinian products, from a land famous for its chestnuts, cheeses, and wines that have made this part of Campania renowned;
• Open-air evenings with stalls opening in the early evening: in the 2025 edition, service began at 8:00 PM.

Montella, between the Picentini Mountains and the PGI Chestnut

Montella is one of the best-known towns in Alta Irpinia, famous throughout Italy for the Montella PGI Chestnut, an excellent product that inspires the area's most famous festival every autumn. The town is nestled in a basin surrounded by the Picentini Mountains, with the Verteglia Plateau serving as a favorite destination for hiking, culinary walks, and evenings under the stars. This dual agricultural and mountain vocation is also reflected in the summer festivals, where local cuisine and outdoor life go hand in hand.

When it takes place

In 2025, the Pizza Festival was held on Tuesday, August 5th, and Wednesday, August 6th, starting at 8:00 PM, in the Via M. Cianciulli parking lot, as part of the Montella Estate calendar. For 2026, the Pro Loco Montella Alto Calore has confirmed the event's return in its annual program, but as of the update of this page, the exact dates and evening schedules have not yet been released. It is therefore advisable to check for information on the Pro Loco and Municipality channels before traveling.

Tips for your visit

• Arrive early: at local food festivals, the first hours of the evening are when it is easiest to find a seat at the tables;
• Take advantage of your trip to visit the historic center and the monumental complexes of Montella, as well as the naturalistic itineraries of the Picentini Mountains;
• August evenings at this altitude can be cool: a light jacket is always useful;
• If you are traveling with children, the setting is the classic, informal one of a village festival, suitable for the whole family.