Conversano Cherry Festival
Puglia's red gold: the Ferrovia cherry celebrated in the historic heart of Conversano
About Cherry Festival
The festival of Puglia's red gold
The Conversano Cherry Festival, located in the metropolitan city of Bari, is one of the most anticipated food and wine events in Puglia. Every year, between late May and early June, the historic center of the town of Conversano transforms into a large open-air market dedicated to the Ferrovia cherry, a prized variety considered among the best in the world and a true symbol of this area in the Province of Bari.
Established in the early 2000s by local producers belonging to the Sapori di Conversano association, the event has grown into a regional attraction, drawing visitors from across Puglia and beyond. The beating heart of the festival is Corso Domenico Morea, where producer stalls line the street, complemented by the squares and monumental villas of the historic center.
A journey into rural culture
The Ferrovia cherry is more than just a fruit: in Conversano, it is a culture. During the festival, visitors can participate in field tours to witness the harvest firsthand, enter warehouses to observe the selection and packaging process, and view the pomological exhibition curated by the CRSFA of Locorotondo. Each year, a roundtable discussion between producers, traders, and experts addresses key industry topics, from promoting local products to the challenges posed by the climate crisis affecting harvests.
A highlight is the historic «50 Golden Cherries» competition, which awards the best fruit samples submitted by growers: a ritual that combines competition, rural pride, and quality promotion.
Flavors, music, and families
Alongside the agricultural focus, the festival offers a rich entertainment program: food stalls featuring traditional Puglian dishes, concerts and performances in the historic squares, street entertainment, workshops and games for children, carriage rides, and the extraordinary opening of city monuments, from the Castle to the Cathedral. Admission to all activities is free, creating a festive atmosphere that welcomes entire families.
Conversano, city of cherries
Nestled in the hills of the Bari hinterland, just a few kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, Conversano preserves a valuable historical and artistic heritage. The Cherry Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the village, its Aragonese Castle, and its churches, combining the tasting of Puglia's red gold with a visit to one of the most fascinating centers in the Province of Bari.
Cherry Festival — edition 2026
Cherry Festival 2026 — 22nd edition
The 2026 edition, the twenty-second, was held in Conversano from May 30 to June 2, with an important novelty: the combination with the patronal feast of the Madonna della Fonte, celebrated on the same days thanks to the collaboration between the Sapori di Conversano association and the Madonna della Fonte Committee. Despite the bad weather and hail that had hit the cherry orchards, the event took place as planned, confirming the city's strong bond with its symbolic fruit.
Four days of producer stalls along Corso Domenico Morea, food stalls at Villa Belvedere, concerts in Piazza Castello, field and warehouse tours, a pomological exhibition, and the traditional «50 Golden Cherries» competition.
Programme Cherry Festival 2026
Saturday, May 30
- 10:00 — Opening of producer stalls along Corso Domenico Morea
- 12:00 — Opening of food stalls at Villa Belvedere
- 19:00 — Official inauguration
- 20:00 — «Giants in celebration», local entertainment
- 21:00 — Konverband in concert with the Gianni and Renato Ciardo show
Sunday, May 31
- 9:30 — Opening of producer stalls
- 11:30 — Opening of food stalls at Villa Belvedere
- 19:30 — «Daydreams – Families in celebration», children's entertainment
- 20:00 — Concert by the Conversano Bands
- Extraordinary opening of the Torre Maestra
Monday, June 1
- 9:00 — Field tour for cherry picking, warehouse tour, and historic center tour
- 11:00 — Opening of producer and food stalls
- 17:00 — Pomological exhibition curated by CRSFA of Locorotondo and roundtable with producers and traders
- 17:00-18:30 — Submission of cherries for the «50 Golden Cherries» competition
- 19:00 — Competition awards ceremony and padel tournaments
- 20:00 — Beppe Del Re & Banda Ligonzo in «Vita Pugliese»
- 21:00 — Hot air balloon launch in Piazza Castello
Tuesday, June 2
- 10:00 — Opening of producer stalls
- 11:30 — Opening of food stalls
- 16:00 — Live painting with Lucia Spinelli
- 16:30 — Carriage ride
- 18:00 — Presentation of the book «Cherries – Art Devotion Wellness» by Stefano De Carolis
- 20:30 — «Last Stop Broadway» in concert
Highlights Cherry Festival 2026
Prices Cherry Festival 2026
Practical information — Cherry Festival
Where
The festival takes place in the historic center of Conversano (BA), with main stalls along Corso Domenico Morea and activities spread across Piazza Castello, Villa Garibaldi, and Villa Belvedere.
How to get there
Conversano is located about 30 km south-east of Bari. By car, take the SS16 Adriatica and exit at Conversano. By train, it is served by the Ferrovie del Sud Est with connections from Bari. During the event, the historic center is largely pedestrianized.
Admission
Access to the event and all activities is free.
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Where does it take place — Cherry Festival
Centro storico (Corso Domenico Morea, Piazza Castello, Villa Garibaldi, Villa Belvedere)
Corso Domenico Morea, 70014 Conversano