InCanto di Natale

Christmas in the village of Lower Salento

InCanto di Natale is the major holiday festival in Ruffano, a town in Lower Salento in the province of Lecce, Puglia. For about a month, from December 8th until Epiphany, the historic center and the hamlet of Torrepaduli transform into a trail of lights, sounds, and scents that fills the squares, courtyards, and alleys of the village. The goal declared by the organizers is to give residents and visitors a community Christmas, rooted in tradition, creativity, and hospitality.

Markets, taste, and craftsmanship

The heart of the event is the Christmas market, with wooden stalls dedicated to local crafts and gift ideas, and the Piazza del Gusto, where Christmas street food offers the flavors of Salento cuisine. Strolling through the decorated streets, you will encounter traditional products, holiday sweets, and food stands that liven up the weekends and holidays in particular.

Evening events and live music

The calendar is punctuated by various evening events, concentrated on weekends and key holiday dates. There is no shortage of live concerts: from swing to gospel, cover bands to choirs, music accompanies the village evenings. Street arts, itinerant theatrical performances, and entertainment moments complete a program designed for all ages.

For families and children

Ruffano dedicates plenty of space to the little ones: Santa's House welcomes children for gift deliveries, while creative workshops, vintage games, and themed moments animate family days. Epiphany closes the festivities with the arrival of the Befana, featuring sweets, surprises, and the traditional stocking.

The artistic nativity scene and Torrepaduli

Among the most evocative attractions is the community artistic nativity scene, set up in the characteristic spaces of the village, such as the underground oil mill. The hamlet of Torrepaduli, known for its sanctuary and the tradition of the 'ronda', participates with dedicated appointments, from nativity scenes to concerts in the church, extending the festive path beyond the town center.

A community event

InCanto di Natale is promoted by the Pro Loco Ruffano ASD together with the Municipality of Ruffano, with the involvement of local associations also gathered in the Solidarity Village. The event, with free admission, is now a highly anticipated appointment in the Salento Christmas calendar and an opportunity to discover the identity and hospitality of this corner of Puglia.