A feast, almost a carnival, that satisfies everybody’s and everyone’s most passionate desires. Not only is the Peperoncino - red hot chilli peppers - a renown aphrodisiac, but it seems that the Diamante people and the organizers, place all their passion in this feast that lasts over 5 days throughout.

As a family, singles, couples, parties and groups, at the Festa del Peperoncino you can be sure to find something to satisfy everyone’s fancy. With innovative and unique proposals that involve the Peperoncino and other typical foods, products of South Italy. You’ll savour a harmony of food tasting, fun, excitement, artistic performances, fireworks and much music and dancing.

As the splendid town of Diamante reveals all it’s typical treasures with the Mediterranean that reflects the promenades’ lights wrapping round the Carnival just like a wonderful picture frame, you’ll find yourselves walking distances from one sea promenade to the other, from square to piazza, to each side of the river, admiring, tasting and enjoying the typical products of the areas of Calabria - South Italy. Before you know it you will have walked through the whole of town, so be sure to wear your walking shoes or at least wear comfortable heals, and do remember where you parked the car!

The whole presentation is “packed” with stalls and stands proposing extraordinary tastes, flavours and souvenirs of South Italy to take home with you. His highness the Peperoncino in every shape, form and chilli strength, proposed in a variety of foods and in different ways. Take your pick between chilli ice-cream, or Casanova’s kisses (Baci di Casanova) delicate diamond and heart shaped chocolates filled with spicy chilli cream, homemade by Mrs Nunzia. If you prefer other Peperoncino options that don't entail eating "spicy and chilliness", you'll be impressed by the floral ornaments of peperoncino, colourful and bright to decorate a table or more long lasting as elegant jewellery, a peperoncino pendant made out of Coral.

Typically local Cheeses & Salamis are also very easy to find, and you’ll definitely stumble across the Cedro (lime-like fruit that only grows naturally in this area), typical cakes and mini patisserie, chocolate covered figs, local wines and much much more to satisfy ones palate. You’ll also find ceramics, objects and other mementos to take back home and remember your stay in South Italy.

Food, food and more food, proposed in many different and innovative ways, and accompanied by lots of music and bands playing, street artists and a variety of events.

The Peperoncino Festival is proposed each year by the Peperoncino Academy along with the town council. The Academy is a club that brings admirers of this product together from all Italy and beyond. Mr Umberto from the region of Abruzzo (Italy) and his family had a wonderful time here, and revealed that he always takes along some hot chilli peppers, just in case restaurants have run out! As a family they enjoyed their stay in Diamante and adored the feast that, keeping up with times and the multicultural tone of nowadays, also satisfied the little one’s desire of a Kebab. However they will be taking home some of the home made Salamis like the calabrian “Capocollo” and the even more typical “’Nduja”. John from the United States along with his wife, two kids and an uncle, came back after their wedding in Diamante 4 years ago, and enjoy the feast while tasting a “Panin’ cu Salsiccia” (crispy Panini filled with the homemade, traditional sausage of the area), they adore the fresh pasta and chocolate covered figs.

While the peperoncino makes no secret of its intentions and boasts its strength right away, at the first try, the Diamante people contrarily respond with a reserved, dubious attitude that slowly reveals itself to be friendly and over calm during the day and enthusiastic at night, when all residents and visitors dress in feast for this event. Something for all, this festival is a must when you’re in the area.