Casalini Grape Festival

The grape harvest celebration in the heart of the Itria Valley

Some festivals capture the essence of a region better than any guidebook. The Casalini Grape Festival is one of these. For over thirty years, at the end of August, the small village of Casalini, just a stone's throw from the center of Cisternino in the province of Brindisi, transforms into the stage for one of the most authentic rural celebrations in the Itria Valley. Here, among the trulli and dry-stone walls, the community pays homage to the grape harvest and the agricultural culture that has defined life in this corner of Puglia for generations.

The parade of allegorical floats

The most anticipated moment is the parade of allegorical floats—true living tableaux decorated with grape clusters and vines, depicting the stages of the harvest and ancient farming crafts. The floats, meticulously prepared throughout the summer months, wind through the village streets amidst the crowd, accompanied by performers in traditional attire. It is the heart of a festival that, beyond the spectacle, preserves and transmits the memory of the rural world of Casalini.

Music, dancing, and ancient flavors

Alongside the parade, the festival features live music, folk bands, Salento pizzica, street dancing, and cultural moments. There is no shortage of food and wine stalls where you can taste local products and, of course, the local grapes and wine, the undisputed stars of the event. Piazza Sandro Pertini and Piazza Sacro Cuore become the hub for festive evenings open to families, curious onlookers, and visitors.

A 2026 edition yet to be announced

The Casalini Grape Festival is organized by the NOINSIEME Cultural Association, which curates the program every year with the support of the local community. At the moment, the official dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced; however, tradition dictates that the festival takes place as always on the last weekend of August. We recommend following the social media channels of the association and the Municipality of Cisternino to learn the detailed program as soon as it is made public.

Why it is worth experiencing

Included in the rich summer calendar of Cisternino, the Grape Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the districts of the Itria Valley in a genuine and popular guise, far from the most crowded tourist circuits. Admission is free, the atmosphere is that of old-fashioned village festivals, and the warmth of the Casalini community does the rest.