Caprarica in Jazz

Jazz in the heart of Salento

Caprarica in Jazz is one of the longest-running and most appreciated jazz festivals in Salento. Established in the early 2000s, the event takes place in Caprarica di Lecce, a small town in the Province of Lecce, Puglia, transforming the village squares every summer into an open-air stage dedicated to great improvised music. Free admission to all concerts has always been a hallmark of the festival, conceived as a cultural gift to the community and to those choosing Salento for their holidays.

Squares and venues

The beating heart of the festival is Piazza Vittoria, where the stage is set up in front of the evocative facade of the Palazzo Baronale, providing an ideal backdrop for musical evenings. Some events are also held in the Villa Comunale "Francesco Greco", a green space in the town center. The intimate and cozy nature of these venues allows the audience to experience the concerts in close contact with the musicians, in the informal and convivial atmosphere that is the festival's signature.

Quality programming

Over the years, Caprarica in Jazz has hosted top-tier soloists and ensembles from the Italian jazz scene, pairing major national names with young local talents from Salento and international guests. The artistic direction curates a program that ranges from traditional jazz to ragtime, from tributes to great composers to reinterpretations of singer-songwriter classics, always with a special focus on listening quality.

A community project

The festival is promoted and supported by the Municipality of Caprarica di Lecce, which makes it one of the highlights of its summer calendar. More than just a concert series, Caprarica in Jazz is a way to enhance the historic center of the village and offer an accessible cultural experience to everyone in one of the most fascinating areas of Salento, just a few kilometers from Lecce and the Ionian and Adriatic coasts.

Dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced: as per tradition, the festival focuses on the summer months, with free evening concerts. The detailed program is usually released in the weeks leading up to the start of the events.