Vatolla Onion Festival 2025: Music, culture, and flavor

On July 19 and 20, 2025, Vatolla (SA) celebrates the tenth edition of the Onion Festival with a program that unites culture, popular music and Cilento gastronomyThe event opens on Saturday evening at 20:00 with the traditional ribbon cutting and continues for two days with events dedicated to the territory, biodiversity and the authentic taste of the Vatolla onion.

Who organizes the festival?

The event is promoted by local authorities and cultural associations with the aim of promoting the Vatolla onion, an excellent agricultural product known for its unique characteristics. The initiative also involves scholars, experts, and local representatives, transforming the village into a hub for agricultural tradition, the local economy, and cultural identity. The event includes food stands, educational events, and musical performances, following a format that has consolidated over the years.

What do you eat at the festival

The absolute protagonist is the Vatolla onion, used in a variety of typical Cilento dishes. The stands offer a menu that changes from year to year, but always includes dishes such as:

• Peasant soups with sweet onion
• Fritters with onion and local cheese
• Sandwiches with sausage and stewed onion
• Crostini with caramelized onion
• Sweet and sour onion in oil

Each dish is prepared with locally sourced ingredients, in line with the philosophy of Organic Cilento District, also present with a dedicated information space.

Other activities of the festival

The program is enriched with cultural meetings, live music e informative momentsSaturday, July 19th, at 21:00, in Piazzetta Belvedere a meeting is held with Nello Amato, dedicated to the history of the Cannalonga Fair. From 22:00, the evening continues with performances by Kiepo e Donnaluna, between tammurriate and popular rhythms.

Sunday, July 20th, at 21:00, space for biodiversity with Emilio Buonomo, director of the Cilento Bio District, in a talk on the role of local crops in the social regeneration of the territories. Following, from 22:00, new musical evening with Ascarime and again Donnaluna.

Information and parking

The town of Vatolla has parking at the sports field, with an active Shuttle Service to facilitate travel to the village center. All events are free. The festival takes place entirely outdoors and reservations are not required. Those arriving from out of town are advised to arrive in the afternoon to enjoy the scenery and atmosphere of the Cilento hinterland.