Murgia Fest – Street Band and Street Artists Festival

Murgia Fest: Music in the streets of Altamura

Murgia Fest – Street Band and Street Artists Festival is an event that brings live music to the streets and squares of Altamura, in the Province of Bari, in the heart of the Apulian Alta Murgia. Conceived by the Municipal Administration, the festival was launched in 2025 to celebrate World Music Day, which falls every June 21st to coincide with the summer solstice. On this occasion, the Murgia historic center turns into a widespread stage, where street bands parade through the alleys, the claustri (courtyards), and the city's main thoroughfares.

Street bands, brass, and street arts

The heart of Murgia Fest lies in its street bands: roving ensembles of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and percussion that animate the streets with a brilliant and infectious repertoire, ranging from funk and ska to folk and Balkan sounds. Alongside the musical groups, street artists, performers, mimes, and circus troupes provide a multidisciplinary celebration suitable for all ages. The inaugural edition featured groups such as Euroband, Ottopiù, Sassifunky, Circo Crusco, Vagaband, Baracca dei Buffoni, and Mimito.

Parades, shows, and jam sessions

The festival's format alternates between roving musical parades and performance moments in the main squares. The parades start from Piazza della Resistenza and cross the center to reach Piazza Duomo, in front of the famous Federician Cathedral, concluding with collective performances and jam sessions involving all the bands. The events take place both in the evening, in the cool atmosphere of early summer nights, and in the morning, with stops at local landmarks and city parks.

In the heart of the Murgia city

Altamura is famous for its Cathedral commissioned by Frederick II, its PDO bread, and the prehistoric site of the Altamura Man. Murgia Fest fits into this context rich in history and identity, offering an opportunity to experience the historic center in a festive and participatory way. Admission to all events is free, in line with the open and popular spirit of World Music Day.

• Roving musical parades through the city squares
• Brass and percussion street bands
• Street artists, circus, and theater
• Jam sessions and collective performances
• Free admission

The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced: the event remains tied to the World Music Day period, at the end of June.