Taranta Night

The Night of Taranta is one of the most important folk music festivals in Europe and Italy, which takes place in August and runs through various squares in Salento, ending with a big concert in Melpignano. During the event, the Apulian pizzica, an energetic and rhythmic dance accompanied by violins and tambourines, is celebrated. The tradition of the pizzica derives from the custom of calling in musicians to free tarantula women, that is, women bitten by poisonous spiders. It was believed that to the rhythm of this unrestrained music the stricken women could heal and free themselves from the disease.

The living nativity scene in Trecase

The one in Trecase is one of the oldest nativity scenes in southern Italy and is a must-see event of the Christmas season in Puglia. It covers an area of 4,000 hectares and is a Salento winter classic. It is a real historical re-enactment which has been held since 1976 and is set up inside the homes of private citizens to replicate the ancient nativity huts and workshops. Nearly 300 people participate in setting up a nativity scene that stretches over a kilometer long.

The feast of St. Nicholas in Bari

The feast of St. Nicholas of Bari has very ancient roots and has been held for more than a thousand years. The celebration takes place between May 7 and 9 to honor the patron saint of Bari. Very impressive is the medieval historical re-enactment in which the relics of the saint in the old part of town. Although it is a purely religious holiday, there is no shortage of food and drink stands, performances, music and art exhibitions.

The Focara of Sant'Antonio Abate in Novoli

The Focara di Sant'Antonio Abate in Novoli, Salento, is one of the many fire festivals in Apulia. It falls every year from January 16 to 18, and the most heartfelt moment is the lighting of a huge bonfire (focara) composed of vine shoots made from the pruning of vines. The composition of the pyre takes over a month and involves many volunteers. The spectacle of the focara is unique and annually attracts many tourists, both Italians and foreigners.

Saint Oronzo in Lecce

On August 24, 25 and 26, Lecce will celebrate the patron saints Oronzo, Giusto and Fortunato. This is a much-attended event of the Salento summer, and fireworks displays, district markets and wonderful illuminations are set up in the city to embellish the streets of Lecce. The festival begins on August 24 with a solemn procession, then concludes on the 26th with a fireworks display. The event is ideal for sampling some of Lecce's specialties, such as Sant'Oronzo's melenzanata, a meat and eggplant dish.

The Carnival of Putignano

Putignano Carnival is the oldest in Europe, and the 2023 edition is number 629. In fact, the festival has been held since as far back as 1394. The symbolic mask of this carnival is Farinella, a name derived from a typical dish of the same name in the town. Putignano's is undoubtedly one of the most lavish and merry carnivals in southern Italy, and each year a common theme is chosen for the parades of floats. In addition, each edition includes an exceptional godmother, which for 2023 was Mara Venier.

Feast of municeddha

It is one of the most anticipated summer festivals in Puglia and is entirely dedicated to a particular food such as the snail, offered in different cooking and seasonings. The municeddha festival is held in Cannole, near Lecce and is perfect for learning about the best traditions of Salento. It lasts 3 days, from August 10 to 13, and has resumed its normal course after the stop caused by the pandemic. The snail is served with sauce, roasted and Cannole-style, but there is no shortage of other typical Salento dishes such as peperonata alla pittule, rustic pizza, horse meat with sauce, cupeta and spumone.

Fiera del Levante in Bari

The Fiera del Levante in Bari is one of the trade show events most important and well-known in Italy and in 2023 reached its 87th edition. It is based in the Marconi - San Girolamo - Fesca district and its first edition dates back to 1930. The main event of the fair is the multi-sector trade show that welcomes about 800 exhibitors and more than 200,000 visitors. In 2017, a process of upgrading and redevelopment of the fairgrounds areas was also initiated with the construction of a Culture Pole.

Octopus Festival in Mola di Bari

The grilled octopus sandwich (u panin cu pulp arsteut) is a must-have of Bari street food. It is no coincidence that in Mola di Bari there is a deep-rooted tradition linked to this dish, so much so that it has dedicated a festival to it now in its 48th edition. Along the streets there are many stalls and food stands at which you can also find fried and mixed grilled freshly caught fish and shellfish. The octopus festival is an event that falls in the last days of July for 3-4 evenings of music, dancing and ta

La Scamiciata in Fasano

The Scamiciata is a beautiful historical re-enactment that takes place from June 8 to 16 in the city of Fasano, in the province of Brindisi, to commemorate the victory over the Turks obtained on June 2, 1678. On that date the inhabitants of Fasano finally defeated the Turks in a very tough battle under the city walls. The custom was established in 1978, when some citizens set up the Giugno Fasanese Committee to pass on this page of local history to young people. The most beloved event is the Scamiciata procession, where 400 figures dressed as knights of Malta, ladies, armigers, Turks, standard bearers, drummers and flag-wavers parade.