Night of the Tambourines
The great celebration of pizzica and the tambourine in the heart of Salento
About Night of the Tambourines
A night to the beat of the tambourine in the heart of Salento
The Night of the Tambourines has become one of the most defining events of the Salento summer. Every year, in Monteroni di Lecce, in the province of Lecce, the town turns into a massive open-air stage dedicated to pizzica and its iconic instrument, the tambourine. The event is organized by the Helios Cultural Association, which aimed to create an appointment capable of bringing music back to the streets and uniting the community around its roots.
The parade and the largest 'ronda' in Italy
The heart of the event is the grand parade of tambourine players: hundreds of musicians gather at the Helios Association headquarters and march through the historic center of Monteroni, accompanied by the circus artists of "La Carovana dei Sogni". Along the route, the mayor joins the procession in a ritual that unites institutions and the people. The parade flows into the Area Mercatale, where the tambourines bring to life what the organizers define as the largest 'ronda' in Italy, enriched by dance couples from the pizzica schools of Serena D'Amato.
Music, dance, and Salento gastronomy
The evening is not just about the tambourine: entertainers liven up the wait, while food stalls offer typical Salento specialties, including a dedicated Gluten-Free area. The grand finale is entrusted to top names from the Salento music scene, for a concert that closes the night by drawing the entire square into the dance.
A community ritual
More than just a summer event, the Night of the Tambourines is experienced in Monteroni as a moment of reclaiming the cultural identity of Salento. The ancestral rhythm of the pizzica, passed down from generation to generation, becomes the thread that unites thousands of people. Admission is free, and the event takes place over a single evening, yet it manages to attract a large audience from all over the region and beyond to Monteroni di Lecce, in Puglia.
Night of the Tambourines — edition 2026
The fourth edition of the Night of the Tambourines, on June 1st, 2026, confirmed the event as one of the great highlights of Salento's popular culture, with approximately 15,000 attendees and over 500 tambourine players arriving from all over Puglia and beyond.
The evening began at 7:30 PM with the gathering at the Helios Association and the start of the grand parade through the historic center of Monteroni di Lecce, opened by the circus artists of "La Carovana dei Sogni". Along the route, Mayor Mariolina Pizzuto joined the procession. In the Area Mercatale, the largest 'ronda' in Italy took shape, enriched by 40 couples of dancers from the pizzica schools of Serena D'Amato. The grand finale, starting at 10:00 PM, was entrusted to the concert by Alla Bua with special guest Antonio Castrignanò, an icon of Salento music.
Programme Night of the Tambourines 2026
Monday, June 1st, 2026
- 7:30 PM — Gathering of tambourine players at the Helios Association and start of the grand parade through the historic center, opened by the circus artists of "La Carovana dei Sogni"
- Along the route — Mayor Mariolina Pizzuto joins the procession and accompanies the tambourine players towards the Area Mercatale
- At the Area Mercatale (awaiting the parade) — Entertainment with Mauro Stiky and Massimo Manca
- Upon the arrival of the tambourine players — Formation of the largest 'ronda' in Italy with dance couples from the pizzica schools of Serena D'Amato
- 10:00 PM — Grand finale with the concert of Alla Bua and special guest Antonio Castrignanò
Artistic direction by master tambourine player Fiore Maggiulli. Food stalls with typical Salento specialties and a Gluten-Free area.
Highlights Night of the Tambourines 2026
Prices Night of the Tambourines 2026
Practical information — Night of the Tambourines
When and where
The Night of the Tambourines takes place over a single evening (usually on June 1st) in Monteroni di Lecce, in the province of Lecce. The gathering of tambourine players takes place at the headquarters of the Helios Cultural Association, with a parade through the historic center and a final gathering in the Area Mercatale.
How to get there
Monteroni di Lecce is located just a few kilometers from Lecce, easily accessible by car via the Lecce-Gallipoli expressway and connected to the main city by public transport. The nearest train station is in Lecce.
Admission
Admission is free. There are food stalls with Salento specialties and a Gluten-Free area.
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Where does it take place — Night of the Tambourines
Area Mercatale e centro storico