CUNZ! Gargano Food Fest
A festival celebrating the flavours and traditions of the Gargano in Rignano Garganico
About CUNZ! Food Fest
CUNZ! Gargano Food Fest: The taste of the Gargano in Rignano Garganico
In the heart of the Gargano promontory, perched on the «Balcony of Puglia», the small village of Rignano Garganico (Foggia province) hosts the CUNZ! Gargano Food Fest every late May. This festival is dedicated to the food, wine, and traditions of the Gargano and Daunia territories. The name comes from the local dialect term cunz, meaning «to season»: an imperative that invites you to season your life with good food, nature, art, history, and people. In just a few years, the event has become one of the most anticipated gastronomic appointments in the province, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to its historic centre.
A historic centre turned into a square of taste
For three days, the alleys, squares, and open spaces of the village—from Largo Palazzo to Largo Portagrande, and the former Church of Purgatorio—transform into a sprawling food and wine trail known as the «Piazza del CUNZ». Dozens of local agri-food producers showcase the best of the Gargano: Caciocavallo Podolico cheese, musciska (traditional spiced dried meat), extra virgin olive oil, ancient grain bread, wild asparagus, citrus fruits, and products derived from the Gargano Goat. The festival also features Slow Food Presidia, in collaboration with Slow Food Gargano and, for wine selections, AIS Puglia.
Showcooking, workshops, and excursions
The programme features a wide array of activities: showcooking, masterclasses, guided tastings, and numerous workshops dedicated to bread-making, fresh pasta, traditional desserts, dairy products, experimental archaeology, and creative writing. The festival's green heart lies in its excursions into the Gargano National Park, with trekking and foraging trips to sites like the Dolina dei Cento Pozzi, the Grotta Paglicci—a famous Paleolithic site—and local dolmens. A dedicated children's area with entertainment and creative workshops makes the event perfect for the whole family.
Music and entertainment in the village
Every evening, the festival lights up with concerts, street performances, and DJ sets that keep the squares buzzing until late at night, featuring a lineup that blends local talent with prominent names from the Apulian and national music scenes. CUNZ! is organised by the Municipality of Rignano Garganico with the support of the Puglia Region and the Gargano National Park Authority, relying each year on the work of hundreds of volunteers and the active involvement of the local business community. It is a community project that tells the story of an entire territory through food, music, and landscape.
CUNZ! Food Fest — edition 2026
CUNZ! 2026 — the fourth edition
From May 29 to 31, 2026, Rignano Garganico hosted the 4th edition of the CUNZ! Gargano Food Fest, confirming its status as the «capital of taste» on the promontory. The historic centre transformed into the «Piazza del CUNZ», spanning Largo Palazzo, Largo Portagrande, and the former Church of Purgatorio, with over 50 scheduled events and more than 80 local agri-food companies.
A major focus was placed on showcooking, masterclasses, and tastings, with the collaboration of Slow Food Gargano for the Presidia and sustainable products (Caciocavallo Podolico, citrus fruits, musciska) and AIS Puglia for wine culture. The green programme offered excursions and foraging experiences to the Dolina dei Cento Pozzi, Grotta Pazienza, and the Paleolithic site of Grotta Paglicci, alongside experimental archaeology workshops.
Programme CUNZ! Food Fest 2026
Event structure (May 29-31, 2026)
Three days of events spread throughout the historic centre, including a food and wine trail, over 50 appointments including showcooking, masterclasses, tastings, workshops (bread-making, fresh pasta, desserts, dairy products, experimental archaeology, creative writing), and nature excursions in the Gargano Park.
Music and entertainment
- Evening concerts with Sud Folk, Après La Classe, and Matrioska, spread over the three nights
- Roaming DJ sets in the village squares until late at night
- Street performances and entertainment for all ages
Nature experiences
- Trekking and foraging towards the Dolina dei Cento Pozzi and Grotta Pazienza
- Visits to the Paleolithic site of Grotta Paglicci and experimental archaeology workshops
Featured products
- Caciocavallo Podolico, musciska, extra virgin olive oil, ancient grain bread, wild asparagus, citrus fruits, and Gargano Goat products
Highlights CUNZ! Food Fest 2026
Prices CUNZ! Food Fest 2026
Practical information — CUNZ! Food Fest
Getting there
Rignano Garganico is located in the province of Foggia, on the southern side of the Gargano. By car: take the A14 motorway exit at San Severo or Foggia, then follow the SS89 / SP towards the Gargano. The nearest train station is San Marco in Lamis-Rignano-San Nicandro on the Gargano line; a short road transfer is required to reach the historic centre.
Admission and bookings
Access to the village and the food and wine trail is free; tastings are paid for at the individual stands, while some masterclasses, workshops, and guided excursions may require booking. A detailed programme, opening times, and booking procedures are available on the official website www.cunzgargano.it.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes to navigate the steep alleys of the historic centre and for excursions into the Gargano nature. Given the high turnout, it is advisable to arrive early and park in the designated areas on the outskirts of the town.
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Where does it take place — CUNZ! Food Fest
Centro storico di Rignano Garganico
Largo Palazzo, Centro storico, 71010 Rignano Garganico