What's Happening
There is always something going on in Puglia and the locals welcome visitors who take part in all the popular events that are held in squares and towns all around the region every year.
The various food sagre, festivals and religous celebrations mainly started as local traditions. Puglia has managed to preserve these local traditions, part of what makes the area so special and different from many other holiday areas.
Puglia is also famous for the 'new pizzica' music and dancing. Pizzica was originally famous because, legend has it, this kind of music and frenetic dancing could cure the 'tarante', the woman who had been bitten by a poisonous spider. Many of the events and festas include 'new pizzica' music and dancing, especially during August.
Examples of the different festas are listed by month below. When you arrive at one of our villas you will find that our Villa Guide and additional information will provide you with all the information for any festas and events that will be happening during your holiday.
There is always something going on in Puglia and the locals welcome visitors who take part in all the popular events that are held in squares and towns all around the region every year.The various food sagre, festivals and religous celebrations mainly started as local traditions. Puglia has managed to preserve these local traditions, part of what makes the area so special and different from many other holiday areas.
Puglia is also famous for the 'new pizzica' music and dancing. Pizzica was originally famous because, legend has it, this kind of music and frenetic dancing could cure the 'tarante', the woman who had been bitten by a poisonous spider. Many of the events and festas include 'new pizzica' music and dancing, especially during August.
Examples of the different festas are listed by month below. Dates may vary from year to year and are approximate. When you arrive at one of our villas you will find that our Villa Guide and additional information will provide you with all the information for any festas and events that will be happening during your holiday.
The year starts off during the first week in January in Ostuni, with the Procession of the Maggi, a resplendent parade of the Three Kings on horseback accompanied by shepherds and…
The masked procession, the grand finale to what is said to be the third best, after Venice and Viareggia, carnival in Italy starts at the end of February. The Putignano carnival…
Usually 18th / 19th March the Festa di San Giuseppe is celebrated in a number of towns in the Salento area. Typical salento dishes are offered to friends, famiily and visitors.…
Quite possibly the highlight of the events / festa calendar in Puglia, Easter is a time for celebrations, with many spectacular festas held across the region. The Processione dei Misteri takes…
Late April, Cellino San Marco, celebrates it's patron saint St. Mark the Evangelist or "Santu Marcu picciccu". The name translates as small Saint Mark, not to describe the size of the…
May 9th - Festa di San Nicola Piazza San Nicola, Bari Bari is the resting place of the bones of San Nicola (Saint Nicholas), the real life Father Christmas. The bones…
Corpus Cristi Sunday - Brindisi : Il Cavallo Parato A religious and historical celebration dating from the mid 12th century, when Saint Louis returning from the 6th crusade, shipwrecked off Brindisi…
Scorrano : Santa Domenica (5th to 7th) Lighting artists and craftsmen from Scorrano have become well known all over the world. During the festival of Santa Domenica, Scorrano's patron saint, the…
Montesardo : "Luy porcu pri-pri" festival (first 10 days) A sagra (food festival) which takes place every year in the old town of Montesardo, a small town close to Alessano. You…
Brindisi : San Theodore (from the last Sunday in August for eight days)Regatta, boat race and water fireworks celebrating Saint Theodore, the Patron Saint of Shipping. Beginning on the last Sunday…
End of October - Muro Leccese : Sagra de lu porcomeu - Ortelle : Sagra del maiale Food festivals celebrating the excellent quality pork. Only locally bred pork is served, cooked…
1st week - Leverano : Vino Novello Leverano is one of the best wine producing towns in the Salento and the Vino Novello festival is held during the first week of…
Spongano : Panare di Santa Vittoria (22nd) Celebrations in honour of Sponganoo's patron saint, closely linked to olive-growing and part of the rituals used by farmers to wish for a good…