Sarabanda Venticanese

A night of music and joy in the heart of Irpinia

The Sarabanda Venticanese is one of the highlights that the Municipality of Venticano, in the province of Avellino, includes in its annual summer program. The name refers to the 'sarabanda'—a term in Italian describing a festive whirlwind of music, voices, and cheer—perfectly capturing the spirit of this folk event, designed to bring together residents, returning expats, and visitors in the middle Calore Valley.

Venticano, a small town with a big calendar

Venticano is a town of just over 2,500 inhabitants in inland Campania, spread between its historic center and the hamlets of Campanarello and Castel del Lago. Despite its size, it is one of the most active towns in Irpinia when it comes to events: it hosts the Trade Fair in spring, attracting exhibitors from all over Italy, and the historic Ham, Wine, and Lamb Festival, which celebrates its 47th edition in 2026. The Sarabanda Venticanese is part of this tradition of strong community participation, which here is not just an occasional occurrence, but a year-round way of life.

Part of the 'ViviAMO Venticano' festival

The event is part of the 'ViviAMO Venticano – Summer Events 2026' program, a schedule presented by the municipal administration that accompanies residents and visitors from July through late September with over two months of initiatives dedicated to culture, music, folk traditions, sports, and entertainment. Events are held in Piazza Monumento ai Caduti, Piazza Santa Maria, Piazza Pio, and the Cavea Teatrale, the four spaces that serve as the town's open-air stage during the summer.

August in Venticano

The Sarabanda Venticanese takes place in August, the busiest month in the Venticano calendar. Alongside it, the 2026 program includes:

• performances at the Venticano Teatro Festival, featuring actors like Anna Mazzamauro, Debora Caprioglio, and Maurizio Casagrande;
• activities for children and traditional local tournaments;
• tastings of typical Irpinian products;
• the film festival named after Mario Puzo, the Italian-American writer whose family roots lie in this corner of Irpinia;
• the 47th Ham, Wine, and Lamb Festival, the most anticipated gastronomic event of the Venticano summer, held at the end of the month.

What to expect

Like many summer events in the villages of Irpinia, the Sarabanda Venticanese thrives on the atmosphere of the piazza: you arrive after dinner, chat with locals, and listen to music under the August sky. It is a community event rather than a mass-tourism attraction, and that is precisely its value: visitors find an authentic town, a human scale, and genuine hospitality, without the filters or high prices of trendy tourist destinations.

The surrounding area

Venticano is a great base for exploring the rolling hills of Irpinia: just a few kilometers away are Pietradefusi, Montemiletto with its castle, Mirabella Eclano, and the archaeological site of Aeclanum, as well as the area home to the great Campanian wine denominations—Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, Taurasi, and Aglianico—making this province one of the most solid wine destinations in Southern Italy.

2026 dates to be announced

At the moment, available sources—the presentation of the 'ViviAMO Venticano' program reported by the local Campanian press—mention the Sarabanda Venticanese among the August events without specifying the exact day or location. The detailed program is usually released closer to the summer through the official channels of the Municipality of Venticano and local associations: it is therefore advisable to check dates and times before traveling.