Vesuvius Corrida

A Corrida at the foot of Mount Vesuvius

The Vesuvius Corrida brings the lighthearted, boisterous spirit of Italy's most famous television variety show to the main square of Pollena Trocchia. Located in the province of Naples, in the heart of the Campania region and right next to Vesuvius National Park, the town hosted the first edition of the event on Sunday, July 12, 2026, beginning at 8:30 PM in Piazza Don Luigi Russo.

The concept is as simple as it is effective: bringing people back to the square in summer, with no tickets and no filters, in front of a stage where anyone can step up and test their skills. It is neither a concert nor a food festival, but an intentionally ironic talent competition where the audience is just as much a protagonist as the contestants.

The format: amateur performers and true talents

Following the model of the program made famous by Corrado, the event alternates between "amateur performers" and "improvised singers" alongside truly skilled artists. Singers, comedians, impressionists, musicians, and dancers take the stage and are judged by a technical jury and, above all, by the audience. Organizers invited spectators to show up "equipped with whistles, tambourines, and pot lids": noisy protest is part of the game and is the true hallmark of the show.

• Singing performances, cabaret, impressions, and variety acts
• Technical jury supported by the audience's vocal feedback
• Dance interludes and musical guests
• Prizes for contestants and special awards
• Free admission, unreserved seating

The first edition, July 2026

The debut on July 12, 2026, drew hundreds of people to Piazza Don Luigi Russo, featuring eighteen competitive performances evaluated by a jury composed of Diego Paura and Luca Facente. The show was hosted by Magda Mancuso, while the evening was enriched by dance interludes from Vincenzo Tufano and Carmen Mautone and a tribute to Zucchero Fornaciari by the group Nemaproject. Television coverage was handled by Alfredo Mariani for the broadcaster TvDive (channel 95), with guest management and social media handled by Ester Abete.

Who is behind the event

The Vesuvius Corrida was created by the «Graffito d'Argento» Socio-Cultural Association, presided over by Annamaria Romano, a historic Pollena Trocchia organization active for over thirty years in poetry, visual arts, sports, and social initiatives. They are also responsible for the «Graffito d'Argento» National Poetry Competition and a long series of local "Corridas" organized in previous years. The artistic coordination is by Concetta Gargiulo, who has been producing various local shows since 2023. The event is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Pollena Trocchia.

The first edition's roll of honor

• 1st place: Massimo Marsiglia, awarded by Mayor Carlo Esposito
• 2nd place: Guglielmo Tortora, awarded by teacher Concetta Guadagni
• 3rd place: Alessandro Raia
• Sympathy Medal: Felice Curcio, awarded by Councilor Raffaele Imperatore
• Critics' Award: Luisa Bonomo, awarded by Commissioner Maria Maione
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Antonio Vitale, awarded by Deputy Mayor Francesco Pinto
• Recording Award: Frank Russo

Pollena Trocchia and the Vesuvius summer

Nestled on the northern slope of the Somma-Vesuvius complex, Pollena Trocchia is a small town in the metropolitan city of Naples that multiplies its outdoor events during the summer. The Vesuvius Corrida is part of a calendar that also includes "Natura in festa," hosted at the Carcavone volcanic cones in early July, and the patronal feast of Saint James, celebrated at the end of the month with a procession, a brass band, fireworks, and concerts. It is a way to discover a less touristy side of the Vesuvius area, just a few kilometers from Herculaneum, Somma Vesuviana, and the crater.

Why it's worth attending

Those looking for a polished, high-end event should look elsewhere: here, the value lies in authenticity. The Vesuvius Corrida is street theater, a singing competition, and a collective outlet all at once, with families sitting in the square, young people standing on the sides, and a jury that has to make itself heard over the sound of pot lids. It is free, outdoors, and deeply local: three good reasons to stop in Pollena Trocchia on a Sunday night in July.