August10 km · 12′
La Notte della Taranta
A travelling pizzica festival in the squares of Grecìa Salentina, ending with the big final concert in Melpignano, 10 km from the house.
Learn more ↗Salento guide
Festivals, music and nights out in Salento
In summer Salento is one long festival. In August the Notte della Taranta brings pizzica music to the squares of Grecìa Salentina, ending with the big final concert in Melpignano, just 10 km from the house; Cutrofiano itself hosts one of the travelling nights. At the end of June, Galatina, 7 km away, celebrates Saints Peter and Paul, linked to the tradition of tarantism.
Then there are the patron saints' feasts with festive lights and fireworks over the sea in Gallipoli, Otranto, Castro and Lecce, and every weekend a food festival (sagra) in a nearby village. Dates change every year, so always check the official programmes. At the bottom of the page: where to spend the evening, from sunset beach clubs to pizzica in the square.
Driving distances and times from Casalaggiù (Cutrofiano), approximate and without traffic.
Salento's calendar
Patron saint feasts, folk music and food festivals. Exact dates change every year, so always check the official programmes.
28–29 June7 km · 10′
Santi Pietro e Paolo · Galatina
Patron saints' feast linked to the tarantism tradition, with lights, bands and pizzica.
Learn more ↗late July26 km · 25′
Santa Cristina · Gallipoli
Gallipoli's patron saint: a boat procession at sea and fireworks.
Learn more ↗13–14 August38 km · 40′
Santi Martiri · Otranto
Feast of the Martyrs of Otranto with a procession and lights; after midnight on 14 August, fireworks on the harbour quay.
Learn more ↗24–26 August32 km · 30′
Sant'Oronzo · Lecce
Three days for Lecce's patron saint: lights in the centre, stalls and concerts.
Learn more ↗June–SeptemberCutrofiano
Sagre di paese
Every weekend a nearby village celebrates a dish: fish, pittule, homemade pasta. In Cutrofiano, the potato pitta festival.
Learn more ↗16–17 January45 km · 40′
Focara · Novoli
The largest bonfire in the Mediterranean, for Saint Anthony the Abbot. For winter visitors.
Learn more ↗12–13 August36 km · 40′
Festa del Mare · Castro
A sea procession with fishing boats and lanterns, then a fireworks contest reflected in the bay.
Learn more ↗late August – early September38 km · 40′
Luci sul mare · Otranto
Feast of the Madonna dell'Altomare: fireworks over the sea on the eve and a boat procession with the blessing of the sea.
Learn more ↗24–25 April36 km · 40′
Annunziata · Castro
The spring patron saint's feast with a fish festival and a fireworks contest: ideal for an off-season stay.
Learn more ↗Where to go at night
From sunset beach clubs to pizzica dancing in the square. Opening times vary, so check before you go.
Ionian28 km · 30′
Baia Verde · Gallipoli
Beach clubs from afternoon to sunset and open-air clubs such as Praja and Samsara: the heart of summer nightlife.
Ionian27 km · 30′
Parco Gondar · Gallipoli
A large open-air venue for concerts and DJ nights in summer.
Inland32 km · 30′
Lecce centro storico
Aperitivo among Baroque churches, cocktail bars and live music until late.
Adriatic38 km · 40′
Otranto · lungomare
A stroll along the ramparts, gelato and bars in the old town overlooking the harbour.
Ionian25 km · 25′
Santa Maria al Bagno
Sunset aperitivo on the Ionian, with the Quattro Colonne tower in the background.
Inland
Pizzica in piazza
In summer there's folk music in the square almost every night, in Cutrofiano or the villages nearby: Cutrofiano itself hosts one of the travelling nights of the Notte della Taranta. People dance the pizzica until late.
Stay in the middle of Salento
Casalaggiù is a holiday home in the old town of Cutrofiano, with a panoramic roof terrace, for up to 4 guests. From here both the Ionian and the Adriatic are about half an hour away: every morning you pick the best sea.
Check datesSee the house