Preazzano Eggplant Festival

The festival that paints the village of Preazzano purple

Every year, on the eve of Ferragosto, the small hillside hamlet of Preazzano, in the municipality of Vico Equense (Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania), transforms for two evenings into a grand gastronomic village dedicated to a staple of Campanian cuisine. With just over 450 residents, stone houses, narrow alleys, and terraces overlooking the Gulf, this is the stage for the Eggplant Festival, also known as the Preazzano Eggplant Feast. Launched in 1989, the event has become one of the most beloved summer appointments on the Sorrento Peninsula, drawing thousands of visitors to a village that remains far from the mass tourism of the coast for the rest of the year.

The eggplant in all its forms

The heart of the festival lies in the food stands set up along the streets and in the small squares of the village, opening every evening around 8:00 PM. The community's cooks and volunteers prepare eggplant according to the traditional recipes of the Sorrento Peninsula, with some creative twists:

• Eggplant Parmigiana, the great classic that alone makes the climb to Preazzano worth it
• Stuffed eggplant, filled and baked
• Golden-fried eggplant, in its simplest and most popular version
• Grilled eggplant and sautéed eggplant (a funghetto), diced and pan-fried
• First courses and pasta dishes seasoned with eggplant
• The famous chocolate eggplant, a dessert stuffed with almonds, candied fruit, pine nuts, and amaretti cookies

Alongside the eggplant-based dishes, you will find other local specialties, from preserves to desserts, accompanied by local wines and drinks. Prices remain intentionally affordable: in the 2025 edition, portions of eggplant cost about 6 euros, desserts 3 euros, and water 2 euros, with an average dish around 4 euros.

Music, art, and crafts in the alleys

The festival is not just about food. Every evening, the village hosts live musical performances in the square and along the narrow streets, featuring local bands and groups ranging from Neapolitan music to dance repertoires. A craft trail winds through the alleys, showcasing local artisans and young creators, accompanied by art exhibitions, watercolor displays, and entertainment for children.

It is also worth stepping into the Church of Sant'Andrea Apostolo, which remains open to visitors during the festival: it houses 18th-century artworks and an artistic nativity scene that becomes one of the most photographed stops of the event during the festival evenings.

A festival born around the bell tower

The Eggplant Festival is organized by the Sant'Andrea Apostolo Parish Festival Committee with the support of the residents, volunteers, and local associations: practically the entire community participates directly or indirectly in the organization and preparations. The proceeds are not for profit and are donated to the parish: with these funds, the community purchased the approximately 1,100-square-meter area in front of the church, now used for the stands, and built the oratory. It is a model of village celebration that has worked in Preazzano for over thirty years and explains the strong sense of belonging felt during these two evenings.

Vico Equense and the Sorrento Peninsula

Preazzano is one of the hillside hamlets of Vico Equense, a Campanian town overlooking the Gulf of Naples and the gateway to the Sorrento Peninsula. At an altitude of about 500 meters, the village enjoys a cooler climate than the coast and views that stretch from Mount Vesuvius to the sea. Vico Equense is known for its gastronomic tradition, from pizza by the meter to the peninsula's cheeses and cured meats: the Preazzano festival fits naturally into this culinary journey, adding the popular and communal dimension that characterizes Campanian village feasts.

When to go and what to expect

The festival traditionally takes place on August 12th and 13th, in the days leading up to Ferragosto, starting in the evening. The atmosphere is that of an authentic village feast: queues at the stands, improvised communal tables, music echoing between the houses, and a continuous flow of people along the alleys. It is best to arrive early, wear comfortable shoes for the sloping streets, and expect some waiting time during the peak hours of the evening.