Panzerotto Festival

The Panzerotto Festival in Trani

The Panzerotto Festival is a young gastronomic and community event held in Trani, an elegant Adriatic city in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia. The event takes place in the pine grove of the Santa Maria delle Grazie parish in the outlying Cappuccini district, with a clear goal: to highlight and bring dignity to a often-overlooked area of the city, offering residents and visitors an evening of celebration that brings the entire community together.

The panzerotto, king of the Apulian table

The absolute star is the panzerotto, one of the most beloved symbols of Apulian street food: a pocket of leavened dough traditionally filled with tomato and mozzarella, folded into a half-moon shape and fried until golden and crispy. During the festival, food stalls serve piping hot, freshly fried panzerotti accompanied by the genuine flavors of local tradition in a festive atmosphere where food becomes an opportunity for meeting and sharing.

Pizzica and folk music

The evening's soundtrack is provided by Salento pizzica, the ancient Apulian folk dance with its infectious rhythm marked by tambourines. The inaugural 2024 edition featured the Tamburellisti di Torre Paduli, while the 2025 edition starred the group Anonimo Popolare led by Marco Dell'Anna. The music transforms the parish pine grove into an open-air dance floor where young and old alike are swept up in traditional dances.

A community celebration in the Cappuccini district

The Panzerotto Festival is part of the Solemn Festivities in honor of the Madonna del Pozzo, the most heartfelt moment of devotion in the district. Organized by the Madonna delle Grazie parish community with the support of Santoro Buongustai and the Municipality of Trani, the event blends religious tradition, gastronomy, and entertainment in a simple, authentic format designed primarily for the neighborhood's residents.

When it takes place

The event is usually held in August in the evening, with free admission. It is an ideal opportunity to discover a less touristy and more authentic side of Trani—a city famous for its stunning Romanesque cathedral overlooking the sea—and to savor true Apulian street food to the rhythm of pizzica.