Monopolele – Mediterranean Ukulele Festival
The world's most awarded ukulele festival, in the heart of Monopoli
About Monopolele
The world's most awarded ukulele festival
Monopolele – Mediterranean Ukulele Festival is the event that introduced Monopoli, in the Metropolitan City of Bari, to the international ukulele community. Founded in 2022 by Mauro Minenna and Salvo McGraffio and organized by the Voltare Pagina association with the support of the Puglia Region and the Municipality of Monopoli, the festival has grown year after year, earning the title of World's Best Festival in 2025 from the Ukies jury, the most prestigious recognition in the industry.
A widespread festival in the historic center
For five days, the old town of Monopoli becomes an open-air stage: major evening concerts are held in Piazza Palmieri, one of the most evocative squares in Puglia, while street performances animate Largo Garibaldi, Piazza Garibaldi, and Largo Castello. Late-night jam sessions ignite every evening at Caffè Mezzopieno, outdoors, until the small hours. The churchyard of the Cattedrale della Madia, Palazzo San Martino, and the church of Sant'Angelo host workshops, meetings, and educational sessions.
Music, education, and community
The program weaves together concerts by international artists, workshops for all levels (from absolute beginners to expert musicians), street performances, and social projects such as school exhibitions and collaborations with young local musicians. The choice of free admission, maintained since the first edition, is part of the festival's identity: almost all events are open to the public, with no tickets or reservations required.
A tourism and economic phenomenon
Monopolele is also an engine for the local area: the audience largely comes from abroad, with long average stays and a high return rate, generating a significant economic impact for Monopoli and Puglia. A small instrument, the ukulele, capable of bringing the world to a Puglian village overlooking the Adriatic.
Monopolele — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Monopolele – renamed Ukuwaves – confirmed Monopoli as the Mediterranean capital of the ukulele, one year after winning the World's Best Festival award from the Ukies. For five days, free evening concerts in Piazza Palmieri, workshops for all levels, street performances in the historic center, and late-night jam sessions attracted an international audience. The great protagonist was master Daniel Ho, joined by jazz musician Paolo Damiani and the Cuban youth orchestra Son de Sol, with the grand finale entrusted to the Puglian singer-songwriter Erica Mou.
Programme Monopolele 2026
Thursday, May 28
- 8:30 PM – La Pentima: Paper Moon Trio (Slovakia), "RadioUke is speaking to you!"
- 11:00 PM – Caffè Mezzopieno: Ukulele Ska Collective + Grand Opening Night Jam with the Ankara Ukulele Big Band (Turkey)
Friday, May 29
- 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM – Largo Garibaldi: Street Performance with Giulia Nervi
- 10:00 AM–5:00 PM – Palazzo San Martino: workshops (Ukulele 101, Ska & Reggae, Jazz Ukulele, Norwegian Rhythm and Groove)
- 5:00 PM – Cattedrale della Madia: School Notes, about 100 students from schools in Monopoli, Bari, and Sulmona with a class from Cuba
- 8:30 PM – Piazza Palmieri: Arlo Anwin & Paolo Damiani, Ukulele Uff Trio, Four String Boy
- 11:00 PM – Caffè Mezzopieno: Irish jam session with Ukulele Tuesday
Saturday, May 30
- 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM – Piazza Garibaldi: Street Performance with Giulia Nervi
- 10:00 AM–5:00 PM – Palazzo San Martino: workshops (fingerstyle, calypso, strumming with Ukulele Uff)
- 5:00 PM – Sant'Angelo: Marea, "Sound embraces"
- 8:30 PM – Piazza Palmieri: Elena Mil, Sage & Zaza, Daniel Ho & Ukulele Tuesday (Hawaiian-Irish fusion)
- 11:30 PM – Caffè Mezzopieno: Saturday Night Jam
Sunday, May 31
- Street performances at Largo Castello, workshops, and evening concerts in Piazza Palmieri
- Late-night jam session at Caffè Mezzopieno
Monday, June 1 – Grand Finale
- Piazza XX Settembre: Ukulele Uff Trio, Son de Sol (Cuban orchestra), Erica Mou and Veeble
Workshop reservations required at monopolele.com; street performances and jams are open to all.
Highlights Monopolele 2026
Prices Monopolele 2026
Practical information — Monopolele
Location
Historic center of Monopoli (BA), Puglia. Evening concerts in Piazza Palmieri; street performances in Largo Garibaldi, Piazza Garibaldi, and Largo Castello; jam sessions at Caffè Mezzopieno; workshops at Palazzo San Martino.
Tickets
Free access to almost all events, no reservation required. For workshops, booking is required on the official website monopolele.com.
How to reach us
Monopoli is served by the railway station on the Adriatic line (Bari–Lecce). By car, take the Monopoli exit from the SS16. Reference airport: Bari–Palese.
Information
Full program, workshops, and registration at monopolele.com.
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Where does it take place — Monopolele
Centro storico di Monopoli
Piazza Palmieri, 70043 Monopoli