The 2026 Paranza Fish Festival in Castellabate, three days of fried seafood at Villa Matarazzo

From May 30 to June 1, 2026 Santa Maria di Castellabate hosts the Paranza Fish Festival, an event dedicated to the seafood cuisine of the Cilento and the flavours linked to local fishing. The event, which has reached its 15 edition, will take place in the setting of Villa Matarazzo, with food stands, music, markets, workshops and shows.

The symbolic dish will be the frying of paranza, prepared with fish from the local fleet and served hot during the festival days. The event is organized by thePunta Tresino Association and is one of the most recognizable early summer events in the Castellabate area.

Dates to mark in Santa Maria di Castellabate

La Paranza Fish Festival 2026 will be held on Saturday 30st May, Sunday 31st May it's Monday 1 ° June a Villa Matarazzo, in the hamlet of Santa Maria di Castellabate, in the province of Salerno. The choice of dates also makes the event interesting for those looking to plan a long weekend in Cilento, enjoying the sea, hiking, and local cuisine.

The event attracts visitors from Campania and other areas every year, because it combines the dimension of gastronomic festival to that of a local event. You don't just come to eat fried fish, but also to experience an outdoor evening in one of Cilento's most famous coastal villages, with stalls, music, and activities designed for a wide audience.

The practical summary is simple:

• When: May 30, 31, and June 1, 2026
• WhereVilla Matarazzo, Santa Maria di Castellabate
• CommonCastellabate, province of Salerno
• Edition: 15th edition
• OrganizationPunta Tresino Association

The Paranza Fish Festival returns to Villa Matarazzo for three days, transforming Santa Maria di Castellabate into a meeting point for those seeking local fish, music and a Cilento atmosphere..

Fried mixed seafood, the dish that gives the festival its identity

The heart of the event will be the frying of paranza, freshly prepared with fresh fish from the local fleet. Among the specialties listed will be mullet, prawns, squid and other seafood delicacies, served hot during the days of the event.

One of the most recognizable elements of the festival is the large frying pan, which has become a symbol of the event over time. It's a detail that perfectly captures the spirit of the event: popular cuisine, freshly prepared dishes, and a direct connection to the sea, without turning tradition into something too contrived.

The gastronomic offering will not be limited to fried foods. The 2026 edition also confirms the focus on Cilento dishes, local products, and new offerings designed to enrich the visitor experience. Seafood remains the star, but within a broader context of local flavors.

The value of the festival lies in the simplicity of its signature dish: local fish, hot frying and an immediate preparation that recalls the seafaring tradition of Castellabate..

Not just fish: music, markets and workshops

The Paranza Fish Festival will not just be a festival where you can stop at the stands to eat. Villa Matarazzo are expected craft markets, live music, educational workshops, shows and moments dedicated to maritime culture, thus transforming the three days into a more complete event.

The presence of workshops is important because it allows the fish and seafood traditions to be shared beyond the dish itself. An event like this works best when it's not limited to tastings, but rather demonstrates why a product, technique, or eating habit truly belongs to a particular region.

The program includes:

• food stands with fish and local specialties
• Live music during the days of the festival
• Markets with artisanal products
• Workshops linked to the culture of the sea
• Performance and moments of entertainment

The festival thus becomes an event to be enjoyed even before or after dinner, with a journey through flavours, crafts, music and activities designed for families, tourists and visitors to Cilento..

An event linked to the territory, not just any festival

The event is organized byPunta Tresino Association and takes place with the support and patronage of local bodies and institutions, including National Park of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni, Campania Region, Province of Salerno, Municipality of Castellabate and Chamber of Commerce of Salerno.

This installation tells the story of a festival built around local appreciation. The catch isn't just a gastronomic attraction, but also an element of identity for a coastal community that recognizes the sea as part of its economy, its memory, and its way of being together.

The 15th edition also confirms the continuity of the event. A festival that returns year after year thrives not only on curiosity, but also on a stable relationship with the public, local operators, and those who recognize the event as a recurring event at the beginning of summer.

The Paranza Fishing Festival makes sense because it does not separate cuisine and territory: the fish, the paranza, Villa Matarazzo and Santa Maria di Castellabate are part of the same story..

Useful Information

The 2026 Paranza Fish Festival will be held in Villa Matarazzo, in Santa Maria di Castellabate, on the days 30st May, 31st May e 1 ° JuneThe event features fried paranza fish, food stands, music, markets, workshops, and shows.

For updated information, the references indicated are the official Facebook page of the Paranza Fishing Festival and the website of thePunta Tresino AssociationBefore planning your trip, it's a good idea to check any details about schedules, evening programs, admissions, and last-minute updates.