Cardoncello on the Road – Cardoncello Mushroom Festival
The great Cardoncello mushroom festival in the heart of the Alta Murgia
About Cardoncello Mushroom Festival
The Cardoncello mushroom, king of the Murgia table
Every November, the historic center of Ruvo di Puglia, in the province of Bari, transforms into a grand stage dedicated to the Cardoncello mushroom, the iconic product of the Alta Murgia region. The Cardoncello Mushroom Festival is the most renowned stop on the "Cardoncello on the Road" circuit, which spans several weeks and visits six municipalities within the Alta Murgia National Park. In Ruvo, the festival is a staple of late autumn, drawing thousands of visitors to the town's streets and squares.
A weekend of flavors and tradition
At the heart of the event are the "Taste and Typicality" food stalls, where volunteers from the Pro Loco of Ruvo di Puglia serve traditional Murgia dishes reimagined with the Cardoncello mushroom: pasta, focaccia, roasts, and baked specialties. There are also dedicated areas for wine and craft beer tastings, market stalls featuring local handicrafts and regional products, and live cooking shows organized in collaboration with local hospitality schools. Gluten-free stalls are also available to accommodate all visitors.
More than just gastronomy
The festival complements its culinary offerings with a rich program of culture and entertainment: concerts in the square, roaming street bands, performances, hot air balloon launches, scientific workshops on mushroom cultivation, and guided hikes through the Murgia countryside. The Pro Loco also organizes guided tours of the city's treasures, from the Romanesque Cathedral with its hypogeum to the Grotta di San Cleto, and from the Jatta National Museum to the Ethnographic Museum, allowing visitors to discover the historical and artistic heritage of Ruvo.
A Quality Festival
In 2025, the event received the prestigious national UNPLI Quality Festival recognition, joining an exclusive circuit of Italian festivals certified for product authenticity, territorial promotion, and organizational excellence. This milestone confirms the Cardoncello Mushroom Festival as one of the most important food and wine events in Puglia and the entire Alta Murgia region.
Why it's worth the trip
- The authentic taste of the Cardoncello mushroom, prepared in dozens of different ways
- A historic center buzzing with music, art, and craftsmanship
- Tastings of local wines and craft beers
- Guided tours of the monuments and museums of Ruvo di Puglia
- Excursions in the Alta Murgia National Park
Cardoncello Mushroom Festival — edition 2026
The Cardoncello Mushroom Festival in Ruvo di Puglia returns for the weekend of November 14-15, 2026, for its twenty-first edition, confirmed as part of the "Cardoncello on the Road" circuit, which in 2026 will visit six municipalities in the Alta Murgia (Poggiorsini, Minervino Murge, Spinazzola, Ruvo di Puglia, Gravina in Puglia, and Cassano delle Murge).
As per tradition, the historic center will host food stalls dedicated to the Cardoncello mushroom, tastings, markets, musical performances, and guided tours of the city's monuments. The detailed program, including schedules, artists, and menus, will be published by the Pro Loco of Ruvo di Puglia in the weeks leading up to the event.
Programme Cardoncello Mushroom Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Pro Loco of Ruvo di Puglia in the weeks preceding the event, typically between October and November.
Based on previous editions, the weekend usually includes:
- Opening of the "Taste and Typicality" food stalls with Cardoncello mushroom dishes
- Tastings of local wines and craft beers
- Market stalls featuring handicrafts and typical Murgia products
- Live cooking shows and workshops dedicated to the Cardoncello mushroom
- Concerts, roaming music, and performances in the historic squares
- Guided hikes in the Alta Murgia National Park
- Guided tours of the monuments and museums of Ruvo di Puglia
Artist names and precise schedules will be communicated via the official program flyer.
Highlights Cardoncello Mushroom Festival 2026
Prices Cardoncello Mushroom Festival 2026
Practical information — Cardoncello Mushroom Festival
Location
The festival takes place in the historic center of Ruvo di Puglia (province of Bari), spanning Piazza Matteotti, Corso Giovanni Jatta, Piazza Le Monache, Corso Gramsci, and surrounding streets.
How to get there
By car: Take the Ruvo di Puglia exit on the SS16 bis / A14 (Molfetta toll booth). By train: The Ruvo station is served by the Ferrovie del Nord Barese (Bari–Barletta line), located a short distance from the center.
Admission and tastings
Admission to the event is free. Tastings at the "Taste and Typicality" stalls are available for purchase at affordable prices.
Information and bookings
Pro Loco of Ruvo di Puglia — tel. +39 080 3628428 / +39 379 1281774 — email [email protected]. Guided tours of the monuments require advance booking.
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Where does it take place — Cardoncello Mushroom Festival
Centro storico di Ruvo di Puglia
Centro storico, 70037 Ruvo di Puglia