Casalnuovo Monterotaro Sausage Festival

The Sausage Festival, the heart of summer in Casalnuovo

The Sausage Festival is the most iconic gastronomic event in Casalnuovo Monterotaro, a small town in the province of Foggia, Apulia, tucked away in the Monti Dauni hills. Now in its 39th year in 2025, the festival transforms the historic Piazza Municipio every summer into a grand, convivial space where the aroma of grilled sausage mingles with the notes of folk music and the cheerful chatter of the community.

An authentic village in the Monti Dauni

Casalnuovo Monterotaro is a village of about 1,500 residents and a member of the Borghi Autentici d'Italia network. Resting in the northern Daunian Sub-Apennines at an altitude of over 430 meters, it preserves traces of a thousand-year history: the ancient Abbey of Monterotaro, Lombard-era monuments, and the farmhouses dotting the countryside tell the story of a borderland, repeatedly marked by earthquakes and always rebuilt with tenacity. The festival serves as a moment of gathering and celebration of local traditions.

Traditional Apulian sausage

The undisputed star of the festival is the sausage, prepared according to an ancient rural recipe: a blend of pork meat and fat seasoned with salt, black pepper, and fennel seeds, grilled over charcoal and served in a classic sandwich. It is always accompanied by fine local wine, a symbol of the hospitality of the Monti Dauni. It is a simple, generous dish rooted in the rural culture of the Sub-Apennines, drawing visitors from neighboring towns in the Capitanata region every year.

Music, singing, and conviviality

The evening is about more than just flavors. Music, singing, and dancing fill Piazza Municipio: in recent editions, entertainment has been provided by artist Lello Minetti, who knows how to sweep up both adults and children in the atmosphere of an authentic village party. The event, sponsored by the municipal administration and supported by the Pro Loco De Rocca, has become a summer landmark for residents and tourists choosing the Monti Dauni for a holiday of nature, charming villages, and great food.

The 2026 edition

Dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced. As per tradition, the festival is held in August in Piazza Municipio: we recommend following the channels of the Pro Loco De Rocca and the Municipality of Casalnuovo Monterotaro for the program as soon as it is released.

Why attend

• Savor the Monti Dauni sausage prepared according to the traditional recipe;
• Discover an authentic village in the province of Foggia, far from the crowded tourist circuits;
• Experience an evening of music and conviviality in the heart of the Daunian Sub-Apennines;
• Combine your visit with a trip to the Abbey of Monterotaro and the rolling landscapes of inland Apulia.