Fish and Gin Festival

The Fish and Gin Festival in Galatina

Born in 2018 as a traveling format in Salento, the Fish and Gin Festival chose Galatina, an elegant baroque town in the province of Lecce, as its main venue. For three evenings, the town's ancient core—a maze of alleys, small squares, and historic courtyards—turns into a vast map of flavors and lights, where gin and seafood are the absolute stars. It is one of the most anticipated food and wine events of the Salento summer, blending the culture of mixology, seafood cuisine, and widespread entertainment.

Gin, cocktails, and food pairing

The heart of the event is the cocktail experience: over twenty producers and brands from all over Italy bring more than fifty gin labels to Galatina for tasting. Around forty bartenders take the stage, creating about sixty original signature drinks, crafted specifically for the event and distributed among numerous cocktail bars and fixed stations set up in the historic center. Every evening, an "Aperitivo Moment" kicks off the festivities, inviting residents and tourists to discover original pairings between spirits and cuisine.

Seafood as the protagonist

Alongside gin, seafood is the festival's other great star. The gastronomic offering turns the village into a culinary itinerary ranging from seafood sandwiches to fried specialties, from raw fish to an exclusive oyster experience, and even Japanese cuisine and sushi, without forgetting meat dishes, vegetarian options, and desserts. Salento traditions thus engage with contemporary mixology in a formula that has made the event a benchmark for food and drink lovers.

Music, lights, and performances

The Fish and Gin Festival is not just about tasting: the historic center of Galatina comes alive with DJ sets, live music, and roving performers spread across multiple musical stations, complemented by an area dedicated to street artists and scattered performances. Completing the atmosphere are the evocative light installations that illuminate the alleys and facades, giving the evenings a unique, scenic charm.

Galatina and Salento

Hosting the festival is an opportunity for Galatina to showcase its baroque heritage and its welcoming spirit. Located in the center of Salento, just a few kilometers from Lecce and the Ionian and Adriatic coasts, the city becomes a showcase for Apulian excellence for three days, attracting visitors from across the region. Admission to the festival area is free, with experience packages available for those wishing to enjoy dedicated tastings and activities.