Primitiva Chestnut Festival

A festival dedicated to a unique chestnut

The Primitiva Chestnut Festival is an annual event that draws thousands of visitors to the Municipality of Marzano Appio, in the Province of Caserta, during the last ten days of September. At the heart of the celebration is the product that gives the event its name: the primitiva chestnut, so called because it is the first in the area to ripen. The fruit has a distinct, fragrant, and crunchy flavor, making it perfect for classic roasted chestnuts as well as traditional rustic desserts, soups, and stews.

Marzano Appio, between the Trebulani Mountains and Roccamonfina Park

The village sits at an altitude of just over 300 meters in a hilly area of northern Campania, nestled between the Trebulani Mountains and the Roccamonfina - Foce Garigliano Regional Park. It is a landscape of ancient chestnut groves, olive orchards, and woodlands that have long dictated the rhythm of the local economy: chestnut harvesting, mushroom foraging, and the artisanal processing of forest products. The festival was created specifically to showcase this heritage, along with the area's traditions, typical dishes, and craftsmanship.

What to taste

The food stalls set up in the town center offer a culinary journey centered on chestnuts and forest products. Popular offerings include:

• Roasted chestnuts cooked over an open fire, the absolute symbol of the festival
• Chestnut soups and stews from the local peasant tradition
• Desserts made with chestnut flour
• Artisanal jams, preserves, and liqueurs
• Dishes featuring mushrooms from the Trebulani Mountains
• Other local specialties from the Upper Caserta area, from cheeses to cured meats

Folk music, entertainment, and crafts

The festival is about more than just food. Evenings are enlivened by folk music, dancing, concerts, and street performances that turn the village streets and squares into an open-air stage. Alongside the food stalls, you will find artisans and small local producers, an area dedicated to children, and opportunities to explore the surroundings: on Sundays, guided walks through the chestnut groves and the park's greenery are organized, allowing visitors to see firsthand where the chestnuts served in the square come from.

Two weekends in late September

The well-established format features two consecutive weekends in the last ten days of September, with stalls opening in the late afternoon on Saturdays and a full program throughout the day on Sundays. The 28th edition, held in 2025, took place over the weekends of September 20-21 and 27-28, recording record attendance with thousands of visitors from the very first evening. Among the most appreciated side events is the gathering of vintage Fiat 500s hosted in Piazza Mercato.

Who organizes it

The event is managed by the Pro Loco Città of Marzano Appio, with the support of the municipal administration and the hard work of dozens of volunteers who handle setup, catering, security, and hospitality. It is a community festival in the truest sense: the collective effort of a town that, for two weekends, comes together to share its signature product with an audience arriving from across the province of Caserta and neighboring regions.

Why it's worth the trip

For those visiting Campania off the beaten path, the Primitiva Chestnut Festival is an authentic experience: no staged tourist traps, but a genuine village festival that has grown over nearly thirty years, where the product is truly local and the culinary tradition is home-grown. Furthermore, the timing is ideal for combining the festival with a hike in the Roccamonfina Park, among trails, chestnut groves, and views of the Garigliano Valley.