Positano’s event calendar revolves around summer, religious feast days, and a growing cultural festival scene. The town may be small (population roughly 3,900), but its events draw visitors from across the Amalfi Coast. Most festivals center on the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the beachfront, or the open-air stages set against the cliffside. Here are the major events, with dates, locations, and what to expect. For more detailed information, see our travel tips faq guide.
Events and Festivals in Positano: Summer Religious Celebrations
Festa della Madonna Assunta (August 15)
The biggest event on Positano’s calendar celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the town’s patron saint. On August 14, a procession carries a statue of the Madonna through the streets at dusk. On August 15, the Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna is carried from the Church of Santa Maria Assunta down to the sea on a flower-decorated boat, accompanied by a flotilla of local fishing boats. At midnight, a fireworks display launched from a barge in the bay reflects off the cliffside buildings. The entire town participates; restaurants set up outdoor tables along the beach, and hotel rooftops become viewing parties. Book accommodations for this date 4 to 6 months ahead. Ferries run late schedules to accommodate visitors from Amalfi and Sorrento. For more detailed information, see our where to stay guide.
Easter Week (March or April, dates vary)
Easter transforms Positano’s steep streets with religious processions that have run for centuries. On Good Friday, a torchlit procession descends from the upper town to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Easter Sunday features a morning Mass with the Black Madonna displayed in full ceremonial dress, followed by families gathering at trattorias for the traditional Easter lunch of lamb and pastiera (wheat berry and ricotta cake). The town is busy with Italian visitors but not overwhelmed by international tourists. Hotel rates are roughly 30% lower than August. Weather is typically mild: 15 to 18°C (59 to 64°F) with 50 to 76mm of rain possible. For more detailed information, see our neighborhoods guide.
Events and Festivals in Positano: Arts and Culture
Positano Premia la Danza (Early September)
Founded in 1973, this international ballet prize honors both established and emerging dancers. Events run over 3 to 4 days in early September and include open-air performances on a stage set up at Spiaggia Grande, with the cliffside town as the backdrop. Past recipients include dancers from La Scala, the Royal Ballet, and the Paris Opera Ballet. The gala performance on the final night is the highlight and is free to attend (standing room on the beach; limited seated tickets at €30 to €50 through the Positano tourism office). The 2025 edition runs September 5 to 7, 2025. The 2026 dates should be confirmed by May 2026 on the official website (positano premia la danza dot it). For more detailed information, see our things to do guide.
Positano Art Festival (July, ongoing)
Throughout July, local galleries and pop-up exhibition spaces along Via dei Mulini and Via Pasitea showcase works by Amalfi Coast artists, with a focus on ceramics, painting, and photography. The event is informal: no central ticket, just a printed map available at the tourist information office (Via Regina Giovanna 5) showing participating venues. Most exhibitions are free. Live music, usually acoustic sets by local musicians, takes place in Piazza dei Mulini on Friday and Saturday evenings. For more detailed information, see our best time to visit guide.
Events and Festivals in Positano: Food and Local Traditions
Sagra del Pesce (Fish Festival) in Cetara (Late July)
The neighboring fishing village of Cetara, 12 km east of Positano (25 minutes by SITA bus, €1.30), hosts one of the Amalfi Coast’s best food festivals. Local fishermen grill freshly caught anchovies, sardines, and tuna in the main piazza, served on paper plates with lemon and bread at €5 to €10 per plate. The festival runs over a weekend (Friday to Sunday) in late July. Live music and a fireworks display close the event on Sunday night. Bus service runs late for the festival, with the last SITA bus back to Positano departing around 23:30. For more detailed information, see our weather by month guide.
Gusta Minori (Pasta Festival, Early September)
The town of Minori, famous for handmade scialatielli pasta, hosts this 3-day food festival in early September. Local pasta makers demonstrate traditional techniques, and restaurants along the seafront offer tasting menus at €20 to €30 for a pasta course plus dessert and wine. Minori is reachable from Positano by SITA bus (35 minutes, €2.40) or ferry (30 minutes, €8) from the main pier. The 2025 edition runs September 5 to 7; 2026 dates expected around the same weekend.
Christmas Season (December 8 to January 6)
Positano goes quiet in winter but lights up for Christmas. From December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) through Epiphany (January 6), thousands of white fairy lights are strung across the vertical streets and reflected in the sea. A life-size nativity scene (presepe) is erected outside the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with figures crafted by local artisans. On Christmas Eve, a torchlit procession carries a statue of baby Jesus through the streets at midnight. New Year’s Eve sees fireworks over the bay at midnight. About 30% of restaurants and 25% of hotels remain open; those that do often serve a Christmas Eve dinner of seven fishes (La Cena della Vigilia) at €60 to €100 per person.
