Gioia Piena Festival
The festival for youth and families arrives in Santeramo in Colle
About Gioia Piena
A festival for youth and families in Santeramo in Colle
In July 2026, the Gioia Piena Festival makes its debut in Santeramo in Colle, in the heart of the Murgia area in the province of Bari. From July 23 to 26, Piazza Garibaldi will become the hub for four days designed for young people and families, with a program that weaves together sharing, education, and entertainment under the motto 'Where Beauty becomes an Encounter'. The initiative attracts participants from across Italy and marks the first stop in Puglia for a festival that previously brought life to the Molise region.
The origins: from Petrella Tifernina to Santeramo
The festival was born in Petrella Tifernina, a small village in the heart of Molise, from an idea by Father Donato Colacicco, a priest originally from Santeramo and a member of the Nuovi Orizzonti community. The inspiration comes from the famous Youth Festival in Medjugorje, from which Gioia Piena draws its spirit of encounter, testimony, and shared joy. After several editions in Molise, the festival symbolically returns to its founder's hometown, opening a new chapter on Apulian soil.
The program: performances, testimonies, and workshops
The four days are marked by moments of sharing, performances, life testimonies, and numerous thematic workshops open to young people from all backgrounds. Announced workshops include:
- Journalism, with journalist Roberto Milone;
- Hip hop and dance, with professional dancer Marco Piampiani and instructor Angelica Presutti;
- Choir and music;
- Cooking;
- Theater and art, with contemporary artist Massimo Nardi;
- Restyling and creative activities.
The goal is to help young people discover and cultivate their talents in an atmosphere of celebration and personal growth.
A community project
The Santeramo edition is made possible through the collaboration between the Sacro Cuore, Santissimo Crocifisso, and Sant'Erasmo parishes, the Salesian Oratory, and the Nuovi Orizzonti community, with the support of the municipal administration. The official presentation was held on February 28, 2026, at the 'Giovanni Colonna' Municipal Library.
In the setting of the Santeramo summer
The Gioia Piena Festival is part of the broader 'Summer in Santeramo in Colle 2026' calendar, which animates the city's iconic landmarks throughout July, August, and September: the Grotte di Sant'Angelo, the Palazzo Marchesale, Parco Mele, the Parco Rurale Eremo Santo, and Piazza Garibaldi. It is a great opportunity to discover this town in inland Puglia and its traditions.
Gioia Piena — edition 2026
The 2026 edition marks the debut of the Gioia Piena Festival in Santeramo in Colle, from July 23 to 26 in Piazza Garibaldi. The program, officially presented on February 28, 2026, at the Municipal Library, alternates moments of sharing, performances, and life testimonies with a rich offering of workshops.
Announced thematic workshops include journalism, hip hop, choir, cooking, restyling, theater, and art. Participants include, among others, journalist Roberto Milone, professional hip hop dancer Marco Piampiani, contemporary artist Massimo Nardi, and dance instructor Angelica Presutti. The event is organized by the Sacro Cuore, Santissimo Crocifisso, and Sant'Erasmo parishes together with the Salesian Oratory and the Nuovi Orizzonti community.
Programme Gioia Piena 2026
Four days (July 23-26, 2026) in Piazza Garibaldi with moments of sharing, evening performances, and life testimonies.
- Journalism workshop — with Roberto Milone
- Hip hop and dance workshop — with Marco Piampiani and Angelica Presutti
- Choir and music workshop
- Cooking workshop
- Theater and art workshop — with Massimo Nardi
- Restyling and creative activities workshop
Daily schedule details are released by the organizers closer to the event date.
Highlights Gioia Piena 2026
- First edition in Santeramo in Colle, Puglia
- Festival dedicated to youth and families from all over Italy
- Workshops in journalism, hip hop, choir, cooking, theater, and art
- Life testimonies and performances in Piazza Garibaldi
Prices Gioia Piena 2026
Practical information — Gioia Piena
How to get there
Santeramo in Colle is located in the Murgia hinterland, in the province of Bari. By car, it can be reached via the SS 96 and the provincial road connected to Gioia del Colle and Altamura; the nearest train station is served by the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane. The reference airports are Bari-Palese and, alternatively, Brindisi.
Venue
The festival takes place in Piazza Garibaldi, in the center of Santeramo in Colle.
Registration and information
Registration for workshops and information about the event days are managed through the Nuovi Orizzonti community and the organizing parishes ([email protected]). It is recommended to check the updated program on the Santeramo in Colle municipal channels before traveling.
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Where does it take place — Gioia Piena
Piazza Garibaldi
Piazza Garibaldi, 70029 Santeramo in Colle