E Puru Ete Natale! – Christmas Market

Christmas born from the community

«E Puru Ete Natale!» has become one of the most anticipated events of the Christmas season in Vernole, a small town in the Salento region of the province of Lecce, Puglia. Every December, the Parco della Legalità lights up with festive colors and traditional scents, turning into a true Christmas village designed to engage families, children, and visitors of all ages in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

A name with deep roots

The event's title comes from a poem in the Salento dialect written by Livio De Carlo, a local theater author, actor, and former president of the Pro Loco of Vernole, who passed away in 2020. His verses recount the loss of community spirit, the vivid memories of Christmases past, and the authentic feelings of yesteryear. The event is dedicated to him and that sense of community, and is currently organized by the Pro Loco Vernole «Livio De Carlo» with the patronage of the Municipality of Vernole.

The charitable heart

The soul of the initiative is the charity market: the stalls also feature creations made by school children using recycled materials, and all proceeds are donated to charitable causes. Alongside the craft market, there is a food & drink area offering traditional Salento flavors.

Children take center stage

The program focuses on the little ones: the arrival of Santa Claus to collect letters, entertainment, juggling shows, and traditional craft workshops, where visitors can learn to knead bread and mold clay. The days are often kicked off by the Christmas choir of the «V.N. De Carlo» kindergarten in Vernole.

A Christmas village in Salento

Strolling through the paths of the Parco della Legalità means immersing yourself in sparkling lights, decorations, music, and craft exhibitors. «E Puru Ete Natale!» is much more than a market: it is a festival that brings the entire Vernole community together, combining Christmas spirit, fun, and solidarity in the heart of the province of Lecce.