Here's what to do in Puglia and Basilicata over the weekend of August 15-17, 2025.

Over the weekend of Ferragosto, from the 15th to the 17th, here is a series of events, festivals, gastronomy and culture in Puglia and Basilicata.

Those who choose to spend August 15th immersed in art and culture will find plenty of opportunities: the Ministry of Culture has confirmed special opening hours for museums and archaeological sites in several cities in Puglia. In Bari, for example, over the weekend it will be possible to visit the Civic Museum (August 15, 16, and 17 from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm), the Archaeological Museum of Santa Scolastica, the Spazio Murat, and the Petruzzelli Theater, the latter offering guided tours of the foyer and stalls (€7; August 15th 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, the 16th 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, the 17th at 4:00 pm).

In the capital, the "Le Due Bari 2025" program will enliven the week of Ferragosto with theater, music, dance, cabaret, and neighborhood gatherings. On August 15th, the event begins at dawn: at 5:00 a.m., at the Il Titolo di Santo Spirito beach resort, flutist Vincenzo Mastropirro and harpist Daniela Ippolito will lead the audience in a concert inspired by the sea and the rising sun. The day will continue at 7:30 p.m. on the San Girolamo waterfront with "Sotto il sole, si balla" by the Murgia Street Band.

At Gargasole Park, a double date with "Come seme" by the Kuziba Company (7:30 pm) and "Sconcerto d'amore" by Nando & Maila (9:30 pm). Also at 9 pm, at Villa Longo de Bellis in Santo Spirito, a concert by Carolina Bubbico and Erica Mou: two sets dedicated to freedom of expression and female empowerment.

Throughout the region, iconic sites such as Castel del Monte, Egnazia, and the MArTA in Taranto will remain open. On August 15th, the MArTA offers a themed tour, "Between leisure and travel... Augustan holidays at the MArTA" (5:30 pm), dedicated to Greek myths and Roman traditions related to rest. Also open to visitors are Trani Castle, the Jatta Museum in Ruvo, Copertino Castle, and the archaeological sites of Canosa and Monte Sannace.

And then there are local fairs, patron saint festivals, historical parades, and festivals from north to south. For those who love live music, the event is in Foggia's Piazza Cavour with a concert by Serena Brancale, fresh from her gold record with the song "Serenata."

From 14 to 17 August 2025, Salento will once again be the beating heart of world electronic music with the return of the Panorama Festival , an international event capable of uniting club culture, tourism, and innovation in an unparalleled setting.

They are expected more than 50,000 people from all over the world for the Panorama Festival , ready to live a unique experience in Lecce, in the extraordinary setting of the Cave del Duca , with a stellar line-up that will set the stage ablaze for four consecutive nights.

Now in its fourth edition, the festival has recorded record numbers: according to the ticketing data the audience comes from over 40 countries , a result that testifies to the growing global appeal of the event. For the 2025 edition, over 50,000 tourists , marking a significant increase compared to previous years and consolidating the international tourism industry in the region.

The echo of Panorama Festival continues to grow: Ranked by DJ Mag among the Top 50 Festivals in the world and in the Top 3 in Italy , the event is now a globally recognized signature for its artistic quality, atmosphere and connection with the local area.

Furthermore, the festival renews its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility projects, collaborating with associations such as Sylva Foundation And LILT Lecce .

With online tickets practically sold out, the fourth edition promises four nights of music, art, and community that will remain etched in the memories of those who attend. The magnetic DJ will be on the decks Peggy Gou , global star and author of the song 'It Goes Like Nanana'; the award-winning Black Coffee , ambassador of South African house and Grammy winner; the energetic PAWSA ; Solomun , founder of the Diynamic label; the very young prodigy Mochakk ; the pioneer of minimal techno Marco Carola , founder of Music On ; the refined Luciano , co-founder of the collective Cadenza ; the English duo Prospa ; the Venezuelan duo Miguelle & Tons ; the visionary Damian Lazarus ( Crosstown Rebels ); Ahmed Spins ; Annicka ; Cole Knight ; Cristina Lazic ; KOKO ; Matisa . A selection that combines house, techno, minimal, Afro-Latin influences, and melodic and deep music.

Set against the backdrop of an area rich in ancient history and breathtaking landscapes, Panorama Festival transforms the ancient quarries into an open-air theater, where music, light, and artistic installations blend together in a multisensory experience.

CASTELLANETA - Two kilometers of flavors, folk music, and local crafts. This is the look the historic center of Castellaneta will take on Sunday, August 17, 2025, when the "Sagra da Far'nèdd' e dei sapori di Puglia – Città di Rodolfo Valentino" returns, now in its 20th year. The event, organized by the UniComArt association with the support of the Rodolfo Valentino Foundation and the patronage of the Municipality of Castellaneta and the Puglia Region, is one of the most anticipated events of the Ionian summer.

Created with the aim of showcasing the city's historic center and its culinary excellence, the event is considered one of the longest in Italy: a two-kilometer food and wine trail, allowing visitors to savor over ten local specialties, from appetizers to dessert. But it's not just food: the experience will be accompanied by popular and folk music performed at various locations along the alleys, arches, and stairways of the historic center, which for the occasion will be transformed into one large open-air stage.

As per tradition, participation in the event is free. A tasting ticket is not required to experience the festival: the public will be free to stroll, listen to music, visit the markets, and rediscover the charm of the historic center, the beating heart of the city's identity. It is precisely this balance between accessibility and promotion that underpins the event's success, which annually attracts tens of thousands of people and engages the entire local business and production network—bakeries, pastry shops, restaurants, pizzerias, bars, and shops—in an event that also has a clear tourism and promotional focus.

Artistic direction is entrusted to Castellaneta musician Damiano Carenza, while the operational organization is managed by members of the UniComArt association, which this year too is aiming for a participatory and widespread edition, inviting local associations to actively contribute.

The festival is scheduled to start at 8 pm from Largo Umberto I, near the church of San Michele Arcangelo.