Polla Folk Fest

A folk music festival in the heart of the Vallo di Diano

The Polla Folk Fest is an event hosted by the Municipality of Polla, in the province of Salerno, dedicated to the folk music and traditions of Southern Italy. For a few days, this village in the Vallo di Diano, Campania, transforms into a vast, spread-out stage: concerts, dances, theatrical performances, and guided tours take place throughout the alleys, small squares, and stairways of the historic center, with a special focus on the musical heritage of Cilento, Campania, and the wider Mediterranean.

An open-air stage among the village alleys

The festival's format does not revolve around a single main stage; instead, performances are scattered throughout the historic center, with roaming shows leading the audience from one point of the village to another. Alongside the concerts, there are traditional dance workshops, storytelling sessions, activities for children, and stalls showcasing local crafts and typical products. This format allows visitors to explore the village on foot, guided by music and discovering hidden corners rarely seen during a standard visit.

Past editions and featured artists

The program released by the Municipality of Polla for the August 17–18, 2024 event perfectly captured the festival's spirit. The first day began at 6:30 PM with guided tours of the historic center, followed at 7:00 PM by the show "I tre Compari Musicanti" by Paolo Apolito and Antonio Giordano, at 8:30 PM with the Tarantarte Company led by Maristella Martella, and at 10:30 PM with a concert by the Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, one of the most renowned ensembles in Italian folk music. The second evening, starting at 7:00 PM, was dedicated to theater with the LaB - Salerno Theater Workshop, the Tempo e Memoria Company, and Artificio.

Tammurriata, tarantella, and peasant culture

The common thread of the festival is the intangible heritage of Southern Italy: tammurriata, tarantella, and pizzica are not just performance pieces, but also the focus of workshops where the public can learn basic steps and the ritual significance of these dances. Surrounding the music are other expressions of the peasant culture that still define the Vallo di Diano today: craftsmanship, traditional cuisine, oral storytelling, and community celebrations.

Polla, gateway to the Vallo di Diano

Polla is located at the entrance to the Vallo di Diano, the large plain occupying the southern tip of the province of Salerno, not far from the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The historic center is built on a slope, with houses huddled together and small clearings that, during the festival, become natural outdoor theaters. Its location along the A2 Mediterranean Motorway makes the village easy to reach from both Salerno and Basilicata, serving as a convenient base for those wishing to combine the event with a tour of the Vallo di Diano.

A free event for everyone

In documented editions, admission to the performances in the historic center has been free, with evening hours extending late into the night. It is an event suitable for families: activities for children and roaming performances make the evening accessible to all ages, while food and wine stalls allow visitors to dine on-site while tasting local products.

What we know about the 2026 edition

As of the time of writing, no official announcement has been made regarding the dates for the 2026 Polla Folk Fest. Available sources place the event sometimes in the first ten days of June, other times in the second half of August: the calendar varies from year to year, so it is best to follow the official channels of the Municipality of Polla and the festival's Instagram profile to learn the dates and program as soon as they are announced.