Crocifisso Fair and Food Festival

A four-century-old tradition

The Crocifisso Fair and Food Festival is one of the most deeply rooted events in the identity of Modugno, a town in the metropolitan area of Bari, Puglia. Its origins date back to 1622, when the fair began as a commercial exchange linked to the devotion to the Holy Crucifix. Since then, the event has been renewed every year on the two central Sundays of November, maintaining its dual soul: that of a large mercantile fair and that, more recent and delicious, of the food festival.

The widespread fair in the historic center

On fair days, the center of Modugno comes alive from the early hours of the morning, with stalls generally open from 07:00 to 19:00. The event is organized as a widespread fair that occupies the town's squares and streets, each with its own focus:

• Piazza Sedile: the hobbyist and craft market;
• Piazza Garibaldi: the agricultural exhibition, with plants, trees, and local produce from the local Coldiretti;
• Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Plebiscito and Piazza Capitaneo: agricultural machinery, food products, Christmas items, and small farm animals;
• Via Cesare Battisti, Via Roma, Viale della Repubblica and Via Carafa: various goods and antiques.

It is a route that combines commerce, rural memory, and a pleasant town stroll, much loved by families in the Bari area.

The Crocifisso Food Festival

The gastronomic heart of the festival is the Food Festival that unfolds along Corso Umberto I, where a culinary route dedicated to traditional Apulian dishes and genuine local ingredients comes to life in the early afternoon. Amidst the aromas of local products and seasonal specialties, the festival continues until the evening, accompanying visitors and residents through a long day of celebration.

Music, shows, and entertainment

Alongside the fair and food festival, the program includes evening concerts and live performances, usually set up in the space in front of the municipal library, as well as children's entertainment, games, horse and pony rides, and street artists including jugglers and stilt walkers. Admission to all events is free.

An identity-defining event

Organized by the City of Modugno, the Crocifisso Fair and Food Festival represents much more than a market: it is a collective ritual that, November after November, draws crowds from all over the province of Bari and renews the community's bond with its popular traditions, craftsmanship, and the food culture of Puglia.