Polla International Folklore Festival

A festival bringing the world to the Vallo di Diano

The International Folklore Festival is the most iconic summer event in Polla, a town in the province of Salerno, Campania, overlooking the Vallo di Diano and nestled within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The festival's roots date back to 1970, when the first performances were held in Piazza del Ponte. Since then, it has grown into one of the longest-running showcases of international folklore in Southern Italy, hosting groups from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

The Gruppo Folk Tanager, the heart of the event

The driving force behind the festival is the Gruppo Folk Tanager, founded in Polla in 1928 by Cavalier Amedeo De Luca and currently led by Professor Enza De Luca. Named after the ancient name of the Tanagro river, the group is approaching its centenary and has brought the songs and dances of the Vallo di Diano to stages across Italy and abroad. In March 2026, the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions chose Polla for a national festival of folk and ethnic music, featuring the 'Fathers and Mothers of Folklore' award and the participation of Tony Esposito: further proof of the town's established role in the popular music scene.

A widespread festival, from the Vallo di Diano to the sea

Recent editions have adopted a 'widespread' format. The thirty-ninth edition, held in August 2025, was part of the project 'Tanager. An ancient town looking to the future', funded by the Campania Region. In addition to the lead municipality of Polla, it involved Sant'Arsenio, Pertosa, Petina, Vibonati, and Torre Orsaia, creating an itinerary that descends from the inland hills to the coast. The common thread is the rediscovery of local sites and folk music in dialogue with gastronomy and local identity.

What to see and hear

• Performances by international folk groups in traditional costumes, featuring dances, songs, and typical instruments from the guest countries;
• Performances by the Gruppo Folk Tanager and other traditional Campanian ensembles, featuring tarantellas, drums, and accordions;
• Processions and parades through the streets of the historic center, preceding the evening shows in the square;
• Workshops, guided tours, and tastings of typical Vallo di Diano products, organized in the 'widespread' editions alongside partner municipalities;
• Awards for guest groups: in 2025, the Vincenzo Curcio Award for best performance went to Mexico, and the Rocco Giuliano Award for best choreography to Martinique.

Polla and its surroundings

Polla is an ancient village nestled on the slopes overlooking the Tanagro valley, featuring a historic center filled with stairways, stone portals, and the famous Convent of Sant'Antonio. The festival is the perfect opportunity to discover it in summer, when the squares fill with crowds and the evenings extend into music and local cuisine. Nearby, you can easily reach the Pertosa-Auletta Caves, the Certosa di San Lorenzo in Padula (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the trails of the Alburni mountains: a setting that makes the journey to the festival a wonderful excursion into the heart of Southern Campania.

The 2026 edition

As of the update of this page, the official dates and program for the 2026 edition—which would be the fortieth—have not yet been released. The festival has historically taken place in the first half of August—the thirty-eighth edition was held from August 5th to 8th, 2024, and the thirty-ninth in August 2025—so a similar schedule is expected. It is advisable to check for updates on the official channels of the Municipality of Polla and the Gruppo Folk Tanager before planning your trip.