Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian and the Gourmet Festival
Devotion, brass bands, and Salento flavors in Veglie
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Saints Cosmas and Damian and Gourmet Festival
A celebration of faith and flavor
The Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of Veglie, a town in the Salento area of the Province of Lecce, Puglia. Every year, as autumn begins, the town gathers around its two patron saints for an event that combines intimate religious observance with the festive, lively atmosphere of a traditional fair and food festival.
The Saints, the Anargyroi
Cosmas and Damian are venerated throughout Salento as anargyroi, meaning physicians who treated the sick for free, motivated solely by charity and faith. In Veglie, their feast is traditionally celebrated in early October, culminating in a Solemn Mass at the Mother Church and a procession of the statues through the town center, accompanied by the local "A. Regno" Grand Concert Band.
The Gourmet Festival
For twenty years, this devotion has been paired with the Gourmet Festival (Sagra del Buongustaio), which brings Piazza Umberto I to life with stalls run by local volunteer associations. It is the perfect opportunity to rediscover traditional Salento cuisine: pittule, carne a pignata, porchetta, potato pitta, meatballs in sauce, roasted meats, cured meats, and cheeses in sandwiches, as well as desserts and crepes, all paired with local wine. The festival is organized by the Municipality of Veglie in collaboration with local volunteer groups.
Music and bands in the square
The soundtrack of the day is provided by the "A. Regno" band and roaming groups like the Salento Street Band, while in the evening, the square transforms into a stage for live concerts ranging from traditional brass band music to folk and rhythmic groups.
When it takes place
The festival is usually held in early October. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced; the program is typically released by the Municipality and local associations in the weeks leading up to the event. For updated information, it is best to follow the official channels of the Municipality of Veglie and local Salento news outlets.
Saints Cosmas and Damian and Gourmet Festival — edition 2026
The Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian and the Gourmet Festival return to Veglie, in the Province of Lecce, in autumn 2026. The program, which combines religious celebrations at the Mother Church, a procession of the statues, a fair, and food stalls in Piazza Umberto I, has not yet been made public. Information will be released by the Municipality of Veglie in the weeks leading up to the event.
Practical information — Saints Cosmas and Damian and Gourmet Festival
Getting there
Veglie can be reached by car via the SS7ter and the provincial roads connecting Lecce and lower Salento; the local train station is served by the regional network, while the nearest airport is Brindisi-Salento.
Location
Religious events are held at the Mother Church; the fair, the food festival, and the concerts take place in Piazza Umberto I and the surrounding town center streets. During the festival, the weekly market may be relocated (previously from Piazza Ferrari to Via Dante) for safety reasons.
Admission
Access to the festival and the performances in the square is free. Food and drinks at the Gourmet Festival stalls are available for purchase.
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Where does it take place — Saints Cosmas and Damian and Gourmet Festival
Piazza Umberto I / Chiesa Madre
Piazza Umberto I, 73010 Veglie