Sicignano Chestnut Festival

The Autumn Queen of the Alburni Mountains

When the chestnut groves covering the slopes of the Alburni Mountains turn ochre, the village of Sicignano degli Alburni, in the province of Salerno, prepares for its most anticipated event. The Chestnut Festival is a historic fixture of the autumn calendar in Campania: in 2025, it reached its 53rd edition, a milestone few festivals in Southern Italy can claim. This is not an improvised event, but a collective ritual that draws thousands of visitors every October from across the province of Salerno, the Cilento region, and the Naples metropolitan area.

Two Weekends, One Star

The established format features two consecutive weekends in October, with the heart of the event in Piazza Biagio Germano and the alleys of the historic center. Saturdays begin in the afternoon, while Sundays start in the morning; food stalls remain open until late at night, while concerts typically liven up the square from 9 PM.

Local chestnuts, harvested in the woods that are partly within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, are served in every possible way: roasted chestnuts distributed along the festival route, chestnut and legume soups, pasta with mushrooms and chestnuts, grilled meats, 'castagne del prete' (priest's chestnuts), desserts, cakes, and jams. Alongside forest products, you will find local cheeses, cured meats, and oils from the Alburni area—a culinary offering that makes the trip worthwhile on its own.

Folk Tradition, Horses, and Fireworks

What sets this festival apart from the many other chestnut celebrations in Campania is the richness of its cultural and folkloric program. Recent editions have featured:

• the cart race, a traditional competition held in two heats over the two weekends, complete with pole position and awards;
• the historical pageant on Sunday, opened by the Pistonieri and Archibugieri of Santa Maria del Rovo and the Sbandieratori Città Regia of Cava de' Tirreni;
• equestrian shows and performances by the Falconieri dell'Irno;
• street performers, contemporary circus acts, and Southern folk music groups;
• a fireworks display and fire show to close the first Sunday;
• a craft market featuring locally sourced products along the village streets.

A Village to Discover

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to visit Sicignano degli Alburni out of season. The village, nestled at over 600 meters above sea level between the Tanagro Valley and the Alburni massif, preserves the Castello Giusso, the Church of San Matteo, and a medieval historic center, often open for guided tours during the festival. The municipality includes five hamlets—Castelluccio Cosentino, Galdo degli Alburni, Scorzo, Terranova, and Zuppino—and serves as one of the northern gateways to the Cilento National Park.

Organizers

The event is managed by the Pro Loco Monti Alburni APS, an association of volunteers who promote the area year-round, with the patronage of the Municipality of Sicignano degli Alburni. Admission to the festival area is traditionally free: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls, at affordable prices. This formula has allowed the festival to remain authentically local while growing year after year, making it particularly suitable for families with children.