Borgo Mascarano Festival
An evening among alleys, courtyards, and underground olive mills in the heart of Lower Salento
About Borgo Mascarano Festival
A festival that tells the story of the village
Borgo Mascarano Festival is one of the most evocative evenings of the summer in Presicce-Acquarica, a municipality in the Province of Lecce born from the merger of Presicce and Acquarica del Capo and included among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. For one night, the Rione Mascarano, one of the oldest and most characteristic corners of the historic center, opens its alleys, courts, and courtyards to welcome residents and visitors in an atmosphere of soft lights, scents, and music.
A journey into the civilization of underground Salento
Presicce is known as the city of oil due to its dense network of underground olive mills carved into the rock, where for centuries the lamp oil that illuminated the courts of Europe was produced. During the festival, these underground spaces can be visited again thanks to guided tours, which also accompany the public to the Museum of Peasant Civilization and Popular Traditions and through the district's historic courtyards. It is an opportunity to understand how Salento families lived and worked, between peasant memory and architectural heritage.
Flavors, crafts, and music
The evening is enlivened by tastings of typical products from Lower Salento — cheeses, preserves, oil, bread, sweets, and local wines — and by an artisan market with stalls from local producers and craftsmen. The soundtrack is provided by folk music, with pizzica and Southern rhythms turning the village squares into an open-air dance floor.
An authentic experience in Puglia
Curated by the Pro Loco Presicce APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Presicce-Acquarica, the event is designed for those who want to discover the most authentic Salento, that of the inland villages far from the crowded beaches. An evening with free admission, suitable for families, couples, and curious visitors, combining culture, gastronomy, and tradition in one of the most fascinating villages in Puglia.
Borgo Mascarano Festival — edition 2026
For summer 2026, Borgo Mascarano Festival returns to Presicce-Acquarica, in the heart of the Salento area of Lecce. The event, curated by the Pro Loco Presicce APS, confirms the formula that has made this evening a beloved appointment: an evening journey through the alleys and courtyards of the Rione Mascarano, with the extraordinary opening of the underground olive mills and the Museum of Peasant Civilization.
As per tradition, the festival combines guided tours, tastings of typical Salento products, artisan stands, and folk music. The artistic lineup for the 2026 edition will be officially communicated by the organizers closer to the date: for updates, please refer to the channels of the Pro Loco and the Municipality of Presicce-Acquarica.
Programme Borgo Mascarano Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including times and musical performances for the evening, will be announced by the Pro Loco Presicce in the weeks leading up to the event.
The established formula of the event includes, starting in the evening:
- Opening of the route in Rione Mascarano with guided tours of historic courtyards, the Museum of Peasant Civilization, and underground olive mills
- Tastings of typical Lower Salento products (cheeses, preserves, oil, bread, sweets, and wines)
- Artisan market with stalls from local producers
- Live folk music with pizzica and Southern rhythms
Highlights Borgo Mascarano Festival 2026
Prices Borgo Mascarano Festival 2026
Practical information — Borgo Mascarano Festival
How to get there
Presicce-Acquarica is located in Lower Salento, in the Province of Lecce, and can be reached by car via the SS275 (Presicce exit) or the provincial road network of Capo di Leuca. The nearest train station is served by the Ferrovie del Sud Est; the reference airports are Brindisi and Bari.
Hours and admission
The festival takes place in the evening, starting around 7:00 PM. Admission is free. Guided tours of the underground olive mills, the Museum of Peasant Civilization, and the district's courtyards are included in the program.
Tips
We recommend parking in the areas outside the historic center and reaching Rione Mascarano on foot. For information, the Pro Loco infopoint is available at +39 340 6506421.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Borgo Mascarano Festival
Rione Mascarano
Piazza del Popolo, 73054 Presicce-Acquarica