Events and festivals in Salento 2024

Are you curious to find out what are the unmissable events and festivals in Salento for this year? In this article you'll find an updated list of the most interesting events that will be held in the province of Lecce in 2024. Are you planning your vacation in Salento and don't want to miss the opportunity to have fun? That's why it's essential to know about the events, patronal festivals, sagre, festivals and many other activities to fully immerse yourself in Salento traditions and have an unforgettable experience!

Tip: For all events and festivals in Salento, we recommend checking the official websites to verify updated dates and programs.

Salento events: Salento and folklore.

As everyone knows, Salento is the home of the Pizzica, an ancient and unique dance. Its origins date back to the early 19th century during the Bourbon reign, while some scholars trace its birth to the year 1000. Initially used as a remedy for tarantula bites, today it is a popular Salento folk dance.

During the Salento summer, it's possible to see Pizzica performances in village festivals and celebrations, but the highest expression of this ancient tradition is found in the famous Taranta Night in Melpignano. Every year in August, thousands of people gather to dance and go wild to the rhythm of the Pizzica. This now internationally renowned event hosts high-caliber artists such as Al Bano, Madame, Il Volo, Fiorella Mannoia and many others each year, and is broadcast live on RAI.

Here we can be enchanted by the best dancers and Pizzica dancers, as well as by the music of the orchestra formed by talented maestros. The party continues late into the night, enveloped in the magic of this incredible dance. The Notte della Taranta 2024 will be held on August 24 in Melpignano: don't miss it!

In addition to local artists, organizers are also inviting national and international artists, making the event a true Night of the Peoples.

Events and Festivals in Salento

Of festivals and festivals in Salento if they are organized throughout the year to keep the tradition alive. Summer, however, is the heyday with cultural events, folklore, concerts, festivals, patronal festivals and so much more. In short, you won't have time to get bored; in fact, you'll be spoiled for choice!

Events and Festivals in Salento 2024

Like markets in Salento, Salento festivals and sagre are a time of gathering where local products become protagonists, along with music, dance and moments of conviviality. In recent years, unfortunately, we have had to give up these pleasant events that so characterize our land, but slowly we will return to the enthusiasm and desire for fun with many events and festivals in Salento. In fact, since 2022 many of the most beautiful events and festivals in Salento have restarted, now waiting for us will be new dates for 2024.

Read on to find out the dates of events and festivals in Salento in 2024.

Events and festivals in Salento in May

May 26Cortili Aperti (Open Courtyards

Events and festivals in Salento in June

May 31 to June 3 Leverano in Fiore in Leverano, a wonderful event in which florists and floriculturists from all over the world compete in creating wonderful floral arrangements that make this small village a charming garden;
June 3 Blue Night in Gallipoli, a beautiful ecofestival allinsegna of music, entertainment, shows and more;
June 15 to June 18 the Feast of St. Sebastian in Racale, a Salento patron saint's festival that is deeply felt in the village;
June 27 PugliArmonica Festival at Masseria Melcarne, an annual event dedicated to the celebration of tradition, organized by PugliArmonica, an Apulian association committed since 2015 to safeguarding the authentic traditions of patronal festivals in Puglia. During this unique festival, themes of Apulian culture and traditions come to life through a series of engaging activities [to be confirmed]
June 28 and 29 Sagra del Centro Storico Festival of Ss. Peter and Paul in Otranto, the opening event of the Otranto summer season;

Events and festivals in Salento in July

July 7 and 9 Battiti Live in Gallipoli, one of the most important events in Lecce and province! This is a big free concert that takes place in various parts of Puglia and hosts national and international artists, also broadcast on Mediaset;
July 6-7-8 Feast of Santa Domenica in Scorrano, stands out among the most important patronal festivals in Salento, thanks to the installations of illuminations, which become real works of art with spectacular musical shows;
July 13-14-15-16 Salento Street Food Festival in Soleto with more than 50 typical products from all over Italy, wines, beer, music and entertainment;
July 21-22-23 Sagra de lu ranu in Merine, an event that enhances the flavors of traditional Salento cuisine;
July Pomegranates on truck, a dinner under the stars in the romantic setting of the Salento countryside, under the banner of good food and good wine on the Provincial Road Lecce Arnesano (SP 119) Monteroni di Lecce Reservations are required, find more information here.
July 29-30Li sapori te na fiatain Melendugno with markets and displays of handicrafts, vintage cars and motorcycles, work tools and live music;

July 28, 29 and 30 Historic Cavalcade of Nardò: a unique event with dinner with the Guercio, educational exhibits, book presentations, guided tours and many performances in addition to the wonderful historical parade.
July 28-31 Festa Te La Uliata by ActionAid Lecce in Caprarica di Lecce. Over four nights you can experience the authentic experience of the village through food, music and traditions. Food stands will serve traditional dishes and local delicacies, accompanied by wine and fresh beer. There will be markets of arts, crafts and 0-km products, an area dedicated to children, and the fun Hazel Spitting Contest. Salento folk music will be featured with several bands, such asTAMBURELLISTI DI TORREPADULIandI BRIGANTI DI TERRA DOTRANTO. Levento will culminate withALLA BUAwho will perform on the last night.
July 31 Panariello vs Masini the return, scheduled among the events in Salento dellestate 2024 will be Marco Masini and Giorgio Panariello in a new challenge between jokes and songs, for more than two hours of entertainment! An event that will be held in the moat of Otranto Castle. We recommend buying tickets in advance here.

Events and festivals in Salento in August

August 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 Beer and Sound in Leverano, a festival that promotes the area and enhances, precisely, the beer accompanied by the delicacies of Salento gastronomy. Thousands of people come here every year to eat, drink the delicious beer and dance late into the night. It is, in fact, among the most anticipated events and festivals in Salento;
August 1-2-3-4-5-6 Taste Market in Maglie, the perfect combination of food and culture, to savor the food and wine excellence of Salento;
August 5-6-7-8 Sagra te lu Purpu in Melendugno, one of the most anticipated events of the Salento summer, whose protagonist, in this case is octopus cooked in all sauces. There will of course be no shortage of musical accompaniment!
August 5 Anna Oxa will be one of the many concerts in Salento dellestate 2024, with a stop on her Voce Sorgente tour. The show will be held in the moat of Otranto Castle. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance here.
August 6-7-8 Sagra del Carnevale in Galatone will combine the joy of carnival with gastronomy, with typical Salento dishes and lots of good music;
08 August Concerts in Salento in August will include that of the extraordinary Amedeo Minghi, which will be held in the moat of Otranto Castle.
We recommend buying tickets in advance here.
August 10-14 Municeddha Festival in Cannole. Prominent among the festivals in Salento is the Municeddhra Festival, an event that features food stands, bands that take turns with popular music, pizzica and fun, stalls and more!
August 12 Notte Bianca in Specchia, one of the most striking events in Lecce and province, of cultural and artistic interest, with music, food stands and stalls scattered throughout the village;
August 24-25-26 Feast of SantOronzo in Lecce, is one of the largest and most heartfelt patronal festivals in Puglia, especially in the province of Lecce, with music, illuminations, stalls, rides and fireworks;
Pomegranates on truck, a dinner under the stars in the romantic setting of the Salento countryside, under the banner of good food and good wine on the Provincial Road Lecce Arnesano (SP 119) Monteroni di Lecce Reservations are required, find more information here.

Events and festivals in Salento in September

Pomegranates on truck, a dinner under the stars in the romantic setting of the Salento countryside, under the banner of good food and good wine on the Provincial Road Lecce Arnesano (SP 119) Monteroni di Lecce Reservation is required, find more information here.

Concerts in Salento

In addition to events and festivals in Salento, the area often hosts national and international artists in wonderful concerts, usually held in seaside resorts, such as Gallipoli. To see the full list of concerts in Salento 2024 visit the Parco Gondar website.

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