Festival of Games

The 2025 edition, the twentieth, of the Festival of Games was held in Ceglie Messapica from July 10 to 13, 2025, confirming the formula that made the event famous: four days of widespread play in the historic center, with the participation of numerous local associations and organizations.

The festival opened on Thursday, July 10, with the Procession of the Little People towards Piazza Plebiscito. In the following days, "The City that Plays" filled alleys and squares with wooden games, archery, ancient games, and workshops, while the evenings featured the great traditional challenges — the Human Chessboard, the Great Tug-of-War on Via San Rocco, the Children's Cuccagna — and concerts in Piazza Sant'Antonio, with Muriki, street drummer Dario Rossi, and Hysterrae. Sunday closed the edition with the Grand Prix of Carts, the Craziest Relay Race in the World, and the Palio della Cuccagna. Participation was free.

Thursday, July 10

• 19:00 — Procession of the Little People in the historic center to Piazza Plebiscito
• In the evening, "The Hunt for the Guidon", a night game by the AGESCI scout group

Friday, July 11

• 17:30–20:30 — "The City that Plays": wooden games, archery, ancient games, and movement activities in the historic center
• 21:00 — 19th-century dances in Piazza Plebiscito, Human Chessboard, and Great Tug-of-War on Via San Rocco
• 23:00 — Concert by Muriki and circle dances in Piazza Sant'Antonio

Saturday, July 12

• 17:30–20:30 — "The City that Plays" continues; Children's Cuccagna
• 23:00 — Dario Rossi, street drummer with recycled instruments, in Piazza Sant'Antonio

Sunday, July 13

• 18:00 — Grand Prix of Carts on the city circuit
• 20:00 — The Craziest Relay Race in the World from Belvedere Monterrone
• 21:00 — Concert by Hysterrae in Piazza Sant'Antonio
• 22:30 — Final Palio della Cuccagna