Cipolla in Festa
The Margherita White Onion PGI festival, blending beach life, flavor, and tradition
About Cipolla in Festa
Cipolla in Festa in Margherita di Savoia
Cipolla in Festa is the annual festival held at the start of summer to celebrate the Margherita White Onion PGI in Margherita di Savoia, in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, along the northern coast of Puglia. Organized by the Consortium for the Protection and Promotion of the Margherita White Onion PGI in collaboration with the local municipality and the Pro Loco, the event transforms the town center, the Cristoforo Colombo promenade, and local beach clubs into a vibrant stage dedicated to the region's culinary identity.
A unique product grown in sea sands
The Margherita White Onion is an excellence recognized by the PGI label and represents a unique case in the Italian agri-food landscape: it is not grown in traditional soil, but in the sandy coastal dunes facing the Adriatic Sea. It is precisely this sandy terrain, combined with the proximity to the famous salt pans of Margherita di Savoia, that gives the onion its characteristic sweetness and unmistakable flavor. Behind the product is the hard work of small producers and cooperatives united under the Consortium, who use this festival to pay tribute to an ancient cultivation method and the entire community that sustains it.
Flavor, culture, and seaside living
The program weaves together gastronomy, culture, and wellness. The heart of the event lies in the tastings of dishes featuring the White Onion PGI, curated in partnership with local Slow Food presidia—including the Chefs' Alliance and the Castel del Monte and Manfredonia chapters—accompanied by selected wines. The event also features conferences on product value and sustainability, children's workshops, torchlit evening walks along the beach, and concerts that close out the evenings in the main square. Numerous participating beach clubs also offer their own onion-based recipes, involving the entire town.
An event that grows every year
Originally created to showcase a product of excellence, Cipolla in Festa has become one of the most anticipated events of the Puglian summer, attracting visitors, food enthusiasts, and families alike. Each edition introduces new features—from hot air balloons on the beach to seaside pilates—while keeping the Margherita White Onion and the deep bond between Margherita di Savoia, its salt pans, and its sea at the center of it all.
Cipolla in Festa — edition 2026
Cipolla in Festa 2026: the eighth edition
The 2026 edition of Cipolla in Festa was held in Margherita di Savoia on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, confirming the event as one of the premier gastronomic highlights of the Puglian coast. Two days dedicated to the Margherita White Onion PGI, with the involvement of the Protection Consortium, the Municipality, the Pro Loco, and local beach clubs.
The program
On Saturday, June 13, the festival opened at 6:30 PM at the former Town Hall in Piazza Marconi with a conference on the product, featuring the Consortium of the Red Onion of Tropea Calabria PGI and Slow Food presidia. In the evening, at 8:30 PM, a torchlit walk led participants to the Nautical Club for a free tasting accompanied by music.
On Sunday, June 14, the day began at 8:00 AM with seaside pilates, a 2026 novelty, followed by a breakfast featuring onion jams. In the afternoon, free workshops for children were held on the beach, while at 8:00 PM in Piazza Libertà, the grand White Onion tasting took place with Slow Food, including gluten-free options and selected wines. The event concluded at 9:30 PM with a concert by Cascemir Italian Pop. Throughout the weekend, sixteen participating beach clubs offered unique onion-based recipes.
Programme Cipolla in Festa 2026
Saturday, June 13
- 6:30 PM — Former Town Hall (Piazza Marconi): inauguration and conference on the product, with the Consortium of the Red Onion of Tropea Calabria PGI and Slow Food presidia
- 8:30 PM — Torchlit evening walk and free tasting at the Nautical Club with music
Sunday, June 14
- 8:00 AM — Windsurf Club (Colombo Promenade): seaside pilates (free) with onion jam breakfast
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM — Beach: free children's workshop by Sale in Zucca
- 8:00 PM — Piazza Libertà: White Onion tasting with Slow Food, gluten-free options (AIC Puglia), and selected wines (ticket on-site)
- 9:30 PM — Piazza Libertà: final concert by Cascemir Italian Pop
Highlights Cipolla in Festa 2026
- Eighth edition dedicated to the Margherita White Onion PGI
- Slow Food tastings with the Chefs' Alliance and the Castel del Monte and Manfredonia chapters
- 2026 Novelty: seaside pilates on the promenade
- Final concert by Cascemir Italian Pop in Piazza Libertà
- Onion-based recipes in sixteen participating beach clubs
Prices Cipolla in Festa 2026
Practical information — Cipolla in Festa
Getting there
Margherita di Savoia is located on the northern coast of Puglia, in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. By car, it can be reached via the SS16 Adriatica; the nearest train stations are Trinitapoli-Margherita di Savoia-San Ferdinando and Barletta. The closest airports are Bari-Palese and Foggia-Gino Lisa.
Admission and tastings
Cultural initiatives, conferences, children's workshops, and beach activities are generally free of charge. Food and wine tastings require a ticket to be purchased on-site. We recommend checking the updated schedule on the official channels of the Margherita White Onion PGI Consortium and the Municipality.
Tips
The event takes place largely outdoors, across squares, the promenade, and the beach: comfortable clothing is recommended for evening walks. The area also offers the famous salt pans and beaches of Margherita di Savoia, which are perfect for extending your visit.
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Where does it take place — Cipolla in Festa
Centro cittadino, Piazza Libertà e Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo