Wild Strawberry and Alburni Flavors Festival
Petina's wild strawberries meet gastronomy, folklore, and mountain charm
About Wild Strawberry Festival
An Alburni village scented with wild strawberries
The Wild Strawberry and Alburni Flavors Festival is the signature event of Petina, a small town in the province of Salerno, Campania, nestled at an altitude of about 650 meters on the northern slopes of the Alburni Mountains, at the gateway to the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. For an entire weekend in June, the historic center is closed to traffic and turned into a continuous trail of flavors, music, and folk traditions.
With over fifty editions behind it, the festival is one of the longest-running in inland Campania: in 2026, it celebrated its 54th edition, a milestone that speaks to a community's loyalty to its most precious product.
The wild strawberry, a niche treasure
The absolute star is the Petina wild strawberry, grown in small plots near the beech forests in a cool, pristine habitat that enhances its intense aroma and sweetness. A tiny, delicate fruit that must be hand-picked and cannot withstand long transport, which is why the best way to experience it is to taste it right here, on the spot.
During the festival, the strawberry is featured in dozens of preparations: tarts, ice creams, semifreddos, jams, liqueurs, syrups, and even savory pairings proposed by guest chefs. Alongside it, other Alburni flavors take center stage, from mountain cheeses and cured meats to fresh pasta, legumes, and vegetables from local small-scale producers.
Folklore, folk music, and 2026 City of Folklore
The folkloric component is equally central. The local association A' Spiga Rossa enlivens the parades alongside groups invited from other southern villages, while the evenings light up with folk music and tarantella concerts, DJ sets, and street performances. In 2026, this commitment was recognized by the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions, which proclaimed Petina City of Folklore 2026 with an official ceremony at the City Council during the festival's opening.
What to find in the village
- Gastronomic trail through alleys and squares, with stalls dedicated to strawberries and typical Alburni products
- Craft market and creative workshops for adults and children
- Folk parades and shows, flag-wavers, arquebusiers, puppet theater, and fire-eaters
- Evening concerts of Southern folk music and DJ sets until late at night
- Excursions including mountain biking and trekking on the Alburni trails, guided tours of the village, and an educational farm
- Vintage car and Vespa rally and a photographic exhibition on the town's history
Why it's worth the trip
More than just a food festival, the Wild Strawberry Festival is a collective exercise in hospitality: it is organized by the municipal administration, the Pro Loco, local associations, and dozens of volunteers who open their courtyards and cellars. Visitors find a stone village overlooking the Tanagro valley, fresh mountain air even in June, and a festive rhythm that lasts from late afternoon until night.
It is also an excellent excuse to discover a lesser-known corner of Campania: the Pertosa-Auletta Angel's Grotto, the Certosa di Padula, and the Alburni plateaus are all within easy reach, allowing you to build a complete weekend around the festival, blending nature, archaeology, and fine dining.
Wild Strawberry Festival — edition 2026
The 54th edition and the City of Folklore title
The 2026 edition of the Wild Strawberry and Alburni Flavors Festival held special significance for Petina: on Saturday, June 6, at the opening of the event, the City Council hosted the award ceremony for the City of Folklore 2026 title assigned by the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions, a recognition of the work of the community and the A' Spiga Rossa association in preserving the folk traditions of the Alburni.
Two days of flavors and shows
Saturday was marked by the opening of food and craft stalls, the "'Ngera 'na Vota" photo exhibition, the parade of folk groups from Petina, San Gregorio Magno, Mormanno, and Castrovillari, the cooking show by chef Dario Bordet, and evening concerts by Sibbenga Sunamo and Alla Bua, followed by a DJ set by Lello Etnic Sound.
Sunday began at dawn with mountain biking and trekking excursions, followed by "Petina in Tour" guided visits, the educational farm, the vintage car and Vespa rally, an outdoor lunch accompanied by folk songs from Antiqua Giostra, and in the afternoon, puppet theater and flag-wavers. At 6:00 PM, the traditional cutting of the giant strawberry tart took place, followed by concerts by Dutty Beagle and the Tarantolati di Tricarico to close the festival.
Mayor Mimmo D'Amato and the organizers expressed satisfaction with the turnout and the festive atmosphere of the two days.
Programme Wild Strawberry Festival 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026
- 17:00 — City Council meeting with the presentation of the "Petina: City of Folklore 2026" award by the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions
- 18:00 — Opening ceremony of the 54th Strawberry Festival; inauguration of the "'Ngera 'na Vota" photo exhibition and opening of food and craft stalls
- 18:30 — Parade of folk groups: A' Spiga Rossa (Petina), Gruppo Gregoriano (San Gregorio Magno), Miromagnum (Mormanno), Pro Loco Pollino (Castrovillari)
- 19:00 — Cooking show featuring wild strawberries with chef Dario Bordet
- 19:30 — Opening of the gastronomic trail
- 20:00 — Concert by Sibbenga Sunamo
- 22:00 — Concert by Alla Bua
- 23:30 — DJ set with Lello Etnic Sound
Sunday, June 7, 2026
- 09:00 — Guided mountain bike and trekking excursions with Alburni Outdoor
- 10:00 — "Petina in Tour" guided sightseeing
- 10:30 — Reopening of the photo exhibition, stalls, and creative workshops
- 11:00 — Educational farm
- 11:30 — Vintage car and Vespa rally
- 12:00 — AperiFragola with DJ set
- 13:00 — Sunday outdoor lunch with folk dances and songs by Antiqua Giostra
- 15:00 — Puppet theater with Giò Ferraiolo
- 16:00 — Performance by the Archibugieri SS. Sacramento Association and flag-wavers from Cava de' Tirreni
- 17:00 — Street music with the Boomerang Orchestra
- 18:00 — Cutting of the traditional giant strawberry tart
- 19:30 — Gastronomic trail
- 20:00 — Concert by Dutty Beagle
- 21:30 — Fire-eater show
- 22:00 — Closing concert by Tarantolati di Tricarico
Highlights Wild Strawberry Festival 2026
- Proclamation of Petina City of Folklore 2026 by the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions
- Parade of four folk groups from Campania, Basilicata, and Calabria
- Wild strawberry cooking show with chef Dario Bordet
- Cutting of the giant strawberry tart, the festival's concluding ritual
- Concerts by Alla Bua, Sibbenga Sunamo, Dutty Beagle, and Tarantolati di Tricarico
- Mountain biking and trekking excursions on the Alburni Mountain trails
Prices Wild Strawberry Festival 2026
Practical information — Wild Strawberry Festival
How to get there
By car: A2 Mediterraneo motorway, exit at Petina or Sicignano degli Alburni, then follow signs for the town center. During the festival, the village is pedestrianized: park in the designated areas at the entrance to the town and continue on foot.
By train: Sicignano degli Alburni-Petina station on the Battipaglia-Potenza line, then take a bus or taxi to the center.
Admission and costs
Access to the event and shows is free. You only pay for tastings at the food stalls, with affordable tickets, and some activities by reservation, such as guided excursions.
Tips
Petina is located at an altitude of about 650 meters: even in June, the evenings are cool, so it is best to bring a light jacket. Comfortable shoes are essential for the stone alleys and hiking trails. Accommodation in the village is limited: it is advisable to book farmhouses and B&Bs in the Alburni or Vallo di Diano area well in advance.
Information
Phone: +39 389 4309117 — official social media pages on Facebook and Instagram "Festa della Fragolina".
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