The Nights of the Mills: Music, Territory, and Culture Under the Stars

TAmong the events that enrich the Campania summer, dedicated to culture and outdoor experiences, “Le Notti dei Mulini” stands out: the rural festival that will liven up San Pietro al Tanagro, in the green heart of the Vallo di Diano, on July 25th and 26th.

The event, promoted by the local Pro Loco and sponsored by the Vallo di Diano Mountain Community, the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, and the Municipality of San Pietro al Tanagro, is now in its tenth year with an original format that blends musical tradition, cultural commitment, and scenic beauty. A true celebration of sounds, words, and nature.

The beating heart of this evocative southern Italian festival is the Parco dei Mulini, just steps from the historic center of San Pietro al Tanagro. The green space, home to the restored old watermills, serves as a natural amphitheater for the entire event. A glimpse into the past and rural traditions, accompanied by the fresh air of the hills, makes the festival an immersive experience where music, hiking, art, and literature blend harmoniously.

“Le Notti dei Mulini” is much more than a simple festival: it is a festival of cultural and territorial exploration, celebrating the great protagonists of Southern music by highlighting the authentic and evocative inland areas of Campania.

An experience to be enjoyed, including trekking, environmental art, children's workshops, literary gatherings, and local cuisine. All offered completely free of charge, supported by a community that believes in culture as a cornerstone of rebirth, a tool for regeneration, and a catalyst for change.

Taking to the stage on the opening night of Friday 25 July will be two icons of Italian popular music, Eugenio Bennato e Tony Esposito; a unique event in Campania, after thirty years. But before them, the evening will be opened by the Lanternina Folk Band with shawms, accordions, and tarantellas roaming through the Parco dei Mulini.

Pizzica will take center stage on Saturday, July 26th. Simone Carotenuto and the Tammorrari del Vesuvio will set the tone for the party, followed by Antonio Amato, the legendary vocalist of the Concertone della Notte della Taranta in Melpignano and one of the most iconic figures in Salento music. Both evenings will conclude with ethnic DJ sets by Carlè & Be Cool on Tour.

The 2025 edition of "Le Notti dei Mulini" stands out for two new, valuable presences that enrich the program and amplify its cultural and social vision, making the festival's experiential journey even more engaging.

Among the most anticipated spaces is the one curated by the independent publishing house Narhval Edizioni, an original publishing house focused on narrative experimentation, which will offer a literary salon immersed in the greenery of the Parco dei Mulini. Visitors will be able to learn more about the Narhval project, browse the published volumes, and engage in conversations about contemporary art and literature.

The highlight will be the literary aperitif on Saturday, July 26th at 18:30 PM, featuring readings aloud by actress Cristina Cappelli of Sala Consilina, accompanied by a selection of music inspired by the atmosphere of the Narhval books. An invitation to experience literature as a shared, sensorial experience, while awaiting sunset amidst nature, words, and evocative sounds.

Narhval Edizioni was recently hosted by the Rarreca Book Festival of Caggiano, confirming its growing role in the Campania cultural panorama.

Alongside the literary offering, another significant new feature is the Greenpeace Italy stand, which will bring environmental awareness-raising content and activities to the festival, in keeping with the spirit of the event, which promotes sustainability as a core value. It will be a space designed to spark moments of discussion, engaging adults and children in an active dialogue about the future of the planet.

With "Le Notti dei Mulini," Campania rediscovers the beauty of its inland areas, with a festival that unites landscape, history, creativity, and sustainability. This free event confirms its status as a cultural and community experience, capable of thrilling visitors through ancient paths, memorable concerts, and shared experiences.

The new presence of Narhval Edizioni and Greenpeace Italia broadens the festival's horizons, offering food for thought and participatory practices. An open invitation to be inspired, explore, and experience two days of culture under the stars of the Vallo di Diano.