New Year’s Eve in Campania: where to spend the night of San Silvestro among squares, sea, villages and mountains. Every year Campania says goodbye to the old year and welcomes the new one with open-air concerts, fireworks over the sea, endless dinners and traditions handed down from generation to generation. We have celebrated it in the city and in small towns, on the coast and in the mountains: here are our ideas, province by province.
The official programmes (concerts, fireworks, extra transport) are usually announced by the town councils in December: we add them as they come out to our events calendar.
Naples: the biggest party
In Naples New Year’s Eve is a party for everyone. In recent years the city has organised a big open-air concert with Italian artists, and at midnight the sky over the Gulf lights up with fireworks you can see from the seafront, from Posillipo and from the Vomero. If you prefer to stay indoors, there are New Year’s dinners in restaurants, parties on boats and evenings in the bars of the historic centre.
- Where to watch the fireworks: the seafront along Via Caracciolo, the Borgo Marinari and the viewpoints of Posillipo and Sant’Elmo.
- The day after: a walk through the historic centre and among the nativity scenes of San Gregorio Armeno, still lit up for the holidays.
- Nearby: the Phlegraean Fields, Pozzuoli and Bacoli for a quieter New Year’s Eve by the sea.
Discover the whole province on the Province of Naples page.
The Amalfi Coast, Sorrento and the islands
Celebrating by the sea in winter has a special charm. In many towns on the Amalfi Coast, such as Amalfi, Positano and Maiori, the square fills with music and at midnight the fireworks are reflected in the water. In Ravello the celebrations often come with music and culture. Sorrento is a convenient base, with its lit-up centre and plenty of hotels open in winter too.
On the islands New Year’s Eve is more intimate: on Capri the Piazzetta comes alive for the midnight toast; on Ischia some spa hotels stay open, so you can start the year with a warm bath. Remember that ferry services are reduced in winter: check the timetables before you set off.
Salerno and the Luci d’Artista
In Salerno the year-end festivities are tied to the Luci d’Artista, the light installations that usually illuminate the city from November to January. New Year’s Eve in town combines walks among the lights, the seafront and the celebrations in the squares. From Salerno you can easily reach the Amalfi Coast, Vietri sul Mare and Cava de’ Tirreni.
Cilento and Vallo di Diano: New Year’s Eve on a farm
In the Cilento New Year’s Eve is often a party among friends at a farm stay or in a village, with a dinner of local produce and the winter sea a few minutes away. Castellabate, Agropoli and the inland villages are perfect if you are looking for peace and quiet. In the Vallo di Diano, Padula and Teggiano offer historic villages and mountain cooking. Discover the Province of Salerno.
Caserta and its surroundings
In Caserta you can feel the festive atmosphere between the town centre and the Royal Palace, while the villages of Casertavecchia and San Leucio offer a quieter night. The Caserta area is also the land of buffalo mozzarella and of wines such as Falerno: great companions for the New Year’s dinner. More ideas on the Province of Caserta page.
Irpinia: New Year’s Eve in the mountains
If you dream of New Year’s Eve in the snow, Irpinia is the answer: the Laceno plateau, above Bagnoli Irpino, is Campania’s best-known ski area when there is enough snow. Villages such as Montella and Nusco offer roaring fires, mountain cooking and the great Irpinian reds such as Taurasi. Read also Winter in Campania: snow at Laceno and thermal baths and discover the Province of Avellino.
Benevento and the Sannio
In Benevento people celebrate in the historic centre, around the Arch of Trajan and in the squares along the main street. In the Sannio, among vineyards and villages such as Cerreto Sannita and Sant’Agata de’ Goti, New Year’s Eve at a farm stay is a tradition, accompanied by Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno. Everything on the Province of Benevento page.
The New Year’s dinner and Campanian traditions
In Campania New Year’s Eve is celebrated first of all at the table. The San Silvestro dinner is long and generous, and it changes from family to family. Here is what is almost always on the table:
- Eel (capitone) and salt cod (baccalà), fried or stewed, a legacy of the seafaring tradition.
- Insalata di rinforzo, with cauliflower, olives, pickled peppers and anchovies.
- Lentils, a wish for prosperity in the new year, often with cotechino or zampone sausage.
- Struffoli, little balls of fried dough with honey and coloured sprinkles, and Christmas sweets such as roccocò and mostaccioli.
- The toast at midnight with a Campanian sparkling wine.
One of the best-known customs is wearing something red for good luck. In Naples, people once threw old things out of the window at midnight to make room for the new: today it is a custom to tell, not to repeat. You will find more recipes in the Traditional recipes section.
Our tips
- Book early: hotels, farm stays and New Year’s dinners fill up quickly at the end of the year.
- Use public transport on New Year’s Eve: many towns arrange shuttles and extra services, announced by the councils in the days before.
- Be careful with firecrackers: enjoy the official fireworks and keep away from bangers. Think of your pets too, as loud noises frighten them.
- On New Year’s Day many museums and sites are closed: check opening times before planning your visits.
Looking for somewhere to stay? Browse our Where to stay section. And for all the events in December and January, see our events calendar.