April Fair
The San Riccardo Fair, one of Italy's oldest, in the heart of Andria
About April Fair
A fair spanning nearly six centuries
The April Fair is much more than a market: it is the defining celebration of Andria, a city in the Barletta-Andria-Trani (BT) province of Puglia. Its origins date back to 1438, when Duke Francesco II del Balzo discovered the bones of San Riccardo, the city's patron saint, beneath the Cathedral's high altar, where they had been hidden since 1348 to protect them from invasions. To celebrate the event, the Duke granted the University of Andria "a fair, free from any taxes, to be held from April 23rd to 30th each year." Since then, the event has continuously evolved, now surpassing five hundred and eighty editions.
Among stalls, crafts, and local flavors
The commercial heart of the fair remains the long display of stalls along Corso Cavour, which for days transforms the main artery of the center into a path of goods, curiosities, and bargains. Alongside the historic fair, thematic markets have emerged over time, such as "The Other 'Made in Italy' Market", set up in the spaces of the former market on Via Flavio Giugno, and the Spaccio Terre Market at the Cloister of San Francesco, featuring crafts, local producers, and free workshops for children.
Music, culture, and memory
The April Fair also offers live music and widespread culture. In the squares and courtyards of the historic center, jazz concerts, singer-songwriter evenings, and literary readings take place, while the Diocesan Museum hosts exhibitions dedicated to the discovery of San Riccardo's relics and the humanism of the Del Balzo family. There is no shortage of guided tours of the city's monuments—from the church and bell tower of San Domenico to the "Underground Andria" routes—often accompanied by young guides from local Pro Loco associations.
Why it's worth the trip
Experiencing the April Fair means immersing yourself in an uninterrupted tradition spanning nearly six centuries, in one of the most important cities of Frederickian Puglia, just a few kilometers from Castel del Monte. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Andria's historic center, its religious and artistic heritage, and the vibrant cultural scene that enlivens its alleys every spring, amidst devotion to San Riccardo, market stalls, and popular festivities.
April Fair — edition 2026
The 589th edition of the April Fair in Andria took place from April 24 to 26, 2026, within the traditional period of April 23-30 granted by Duke Del Balzo in 1438. The program intertwined the historic display of stalls along Corso Cavour with exhibitions, concerts, craft markets, and guided tours of the city's heritage, organized by the Municipal Administration through the Departments of Beauty and Roots.
Programme April Fair 2026
Thursday, April 23 — Commemorative Preview
- Diocesan Museum: exhibition "Historia Inventionis – The discovery of San Riccardo's body" (April 23-24, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
- Guided tours "The Baronial Humanism of the Del Balzo family" by reservation
Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26 — Fair and Markets
- Corso Cavour: traditional display of the April Fair stalls
- Former market on Via Flavio Giugno: "The Other 'Made in Italy' Market" with live music by the Naima Band
Saturday, April 25 – Sunday, April 26 — Guided Tours
- Church and bell tower of San Domenico: guided tours 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- "Underground Andria" routes
Sunday, April 26 — Music and Culture
- Cloister of San Francesco, 4:00 PM: Spaccio Terre Market with crafts, producers' market, and free workshops for children
- Former Palazzo Marchio courtyard (Via De Gasperi), 7:30 PM: "Semplicemente Luigi", singer-songwriter evening
- Cloister of San Francesco, 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM: Isabel & Chimera concerts
- Piazza Umberto I, 8:30 PM: "Radio Pino" reading by the Cartacanta Group
- Cloister of San Francesco, 8:30 PM: Hill Kings, sax-guitar-drums trio
Thursday, April 30 — QOCO in Jazz
- Three itinerant jazz concerts in the historic center: former market on Via Flavio Giugno (7:30 PM), near the IAT office (8:30 PM), and Via La Corte (9:30 PM)
Highlights April Fair 2026
Prices April Fair 2026
Practical information — April Fair
How to get there
Andria is located in the BAT province, in Puglia. By car, it is reachable via the SS16 bis and the A14 motorway (Trani or Canosa exits). By train, it is served by the Andria station on the Bari-Barletta Ferrotramviaria line. The nearest airport is Bari-Palese Karol Wojtyła Airport.
Where it takes place
The fair unfolds throughout the historic center, with the main stalls along Corso Cavour and cultural events distributed between the Diocesan Museum, the Cloister of San Francesco, Piazza Umberto I, the Church of San Domenico, and the former market on Via Flavio Giugno.
Tickets and reservations
Access to the fair and most events is free. For guided tours of the Diocesan Museum and monuments, booking is recommended (tel. +39 334 1541661, [email protected]).
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Where does it take place — April Fair
Centro storico di Andria
Corso Cavour, 76123 Andria