Pumpkin and Local Liqueur Festival

An autumn festival at the foot of the Matese

Every year, in the final days of October, the small town of San Potito Sannitico—home to fewer than two thousand residents, perched at an altitude of 235 meters in the Matese Regional Park in the province of Caserta—transforms into a vibrant hub of taste and rural tradition. The Pumpkin and Local Liqueur Festival is a young yet deeply rooted event: the first edition dates back to 2022, born from the Pro Loco "Genius Loci"'s desire to showcase the town through its products, its people, and its creativity.

The format is that of a genuine village festival, free of artifice: the streets of the historic center are decorated, squares buzz with food and craft stalls, and the festivities typically begin in the late afternoon, around 5:00 PM, when the autumn light makes the silhouette of the Matese mountains behind the village even more striking.

The pumpkin, queen of the autumn garden

The star of the show is the pumpkin, a humble and versatile vegetable that has always accompanied the transition from summer to winter in the cuisine of this part of inland Campania. During the festival, it is featured in every possible way: soups and broths, risottos, side dishes, preserves, as well as cakes, baked goods, and jams. The pumpkin inspires culinary competitions, challenges between local pastry chefs and home cooks, and tasting trails designed to introduce the public to recipes often absent from restaurant menus, as they belong to the domestic traditions of local families.

The pumpkin also serves as a medium for creativity: carving, decorations, and hands-on workshops are among the most popular activities, especially for children, providing a natural bridge to the atmosphere of late October.

"Il Moro," the local liqueur

The other highlight is the local liqueur, particularly "Il Moro," an artisanal product tied to San Potito Sannitico. It is the result of an ancient local herbal art: infusions of herbs, roots, and citrus fruits gathered in the area, following secret recipes passed down through generations. During the festival, the liqueur is sipped after meals, with stories told and explanations provided, including sessions dedicated to the medicinal plants of the Matese and their uses.

Workshops, exhibitions, and community

The event is not just about food and wine. Since its first edition, held on Via Formose, the program has woven together various cultural threads:

• school competitions, featuring drawings by students from the local comprehensive school;
• carving and craft workshops led by local artisans and ceramicists;
• pumpkin dessert contests among enthusiasts and local families;
• art exhibitions by painters and sculptors from the Matese;
• poetry readings and cultural moments curated by local associations;
• folk music and traditional dances, with performances of pizzica and Southern Italian repertoires.

The success of the event is a collaborative effort between local associations and agricultural producers, following a networking logic that has made "territoriality" the watchword of the festival.

The village and its heritage

Visitors arriving in San Potito Sannitico discover a village that has worked hard on its identity in recent years: the historic wash-houses, murals depicting rural life, the 18th-century Filangieri family palace, and the museum dedicated to brigandage. The festival thus becomes an opportunity for a slow stroll through the town, among alleys, stone portals, and glimpses of the Matese massif.

When to go

The event traditionally falls around October 30th and 31st, coinciding with the All Saints' long weekend, a time when the entire province of Caserta hosts various autumn festivals. It is a family-friendly event, also suitable for a day trip from Caserta, Piedimonte Matese, or the Molise side of the park.