Madonna delle Grazie Festival
The Marian festival in the village of Gandoli, Leporano
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Madonna delle Grazie Gandoli
A Marian festival in the heart of Gandoli
The Madonna delle Grazie Festival is the most beloved tradition in Gandoli, a small village within the municipality of Leporano, along the Ionian coast in the province of Taranto, in the heart of Apulia. Every year, during the summer, the locals gather around the sanctuary that houses the venerated image of the Madonna and Child, renewing a tradition deeply rooted in the area's popular devotion.
The sanctuary and the venerated image
The sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie in Gandoli houses an ancient painting depicting the Virgin and Child, a work from the late Renaissance school with distinct Byzantine characteristics. For centuries, this image has been a destination for pilgrimages and a focal point of deep devotion for the communities of Leporano and the surrounding towns, serving as a spiritual and cultural landmark.
Devotion and tradition
The religious heart of the festival is marked by Eucharistic celebrations and an evening procession, during which the image of the Madonna delle Grazie is carried through the streets of the village, accompanied by the faithful. It is a moment of reflection and community, where faith blends with local customs and the warm hospitality typical of Southern Italy.
Music and summer evenings
Alongside the sacred events, the festival offers free open-air concerts in the square in front of the church, featuring local bands and artists from the Taranto area performing repertoires of folk music, rock, blues, and Italian songs. These evenings under the stars, animated by music and conviviality, attract both residents and vacationers, making Gandoli one of the key gathering spots of the Leporano summer.
Part of the Estate Leporanese
The Madonna delle Grazie Festival is part of the Estate Leporanese (Leporano Summer) program, a series of events that brings Leporano and its villages to life from July to September with dozens of music, theater, traditional, and entertainment performances. The festival is organized by the local Festivities Committee in collaboration with the parish community and the municipal administration of Leporano.
Madonna delle Grazie Gandoli — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Madonna delle Grazie Festival in Gandoli is expected during the usual summer period, roughly around mid-August, as part of the Estate Leporanese. At the moment, the official dates and program have not yet been released by the Festivities Committee and the Municipality of Leporano. The usual schedule of Eucharistic celebrations, the procession with the image of the Madonna, and free evening concerts in the church square is expected. For updates, it is recommended to follow the official channels of the Municipality of Leporano.
Practical information — Madonna delle Grazie Gandoli
Location
Santuario e piazzale della Madonna delle Grazie, Gandoli village, 74020 Leporano (TA), Apulia. The village is located along the Ionian coast, just a few kilometers from the center of Leporano.
When
The festival traditionally takes place in the summer, around mid-August. Dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced; it is recommended to check the official channels of the Municipality of Leporano and the Festivities Committee closer to the event.
Admission
Religious celebrations and evening concerts in the square are generally free of charge.
How to get there
Leporano can be reached from Taranto via the Salento coastal road; the village of Gandoli is served by the coastal network. During the festival days, it is recommended to arrive early to secure parking.
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Where does it take place — Madonna delle Grazie Gandoli
Santuario e piazzale della Madonna delle Grazie (Gandoli)
Piazzale Chiesa Madonna delle Grazie, Gandoli, 74020 Leporano