Pettole Festival

St. Stephen's Pettole in Castelluccio Valmaggiore

The Pettole Festival is one of the most deeply rooted and anticipated winter events in Castelluccio Valmaggiore, a small town in the Daunian Subappennino in the province of Foggia. Every year, on December 26th—St. Stephen's Day—the village in the Monti Dauni gathers in the square to celebrate pettole, the traditional leavened dough fritters that represent the quintessence of Christmas festivities in this corner of inland Puglia, bordering Campania and Molise.

A ritual around the bonfire

The heart of the festival is Piazza Umberto I, where a large bonfire is lit in the late afternoon, drawing residents and visitors alike. Amidst the warmth of the flames and the festive atmosphere, guests can enjoy freshly fried, steaming hot pettole, paired with a glass of local wine. The event, promoted by the Pro Loco in collaboration with the Municipality of Castelluccio Valmaggiore, attracts visitors from across the Capitanata region, all eager to savor this simple, genuine treat of peasant tradition.

Pettole, the heart of the celebration

The Castelluccio pettole are fritters made from a leavened dough of flour, water, yeast, and mashed boiled potatoes, fried until golden brown. Whether served plain or enriched, sweet or savory, they have been the symbol of winter holidays in the Monti Dauni and much of Puglia for centuries. Their preparation, which involves local families and volunteers, is a moment of sharing that passes down skills and knowledge from generation to generation.

Music, tradition, and solidarity

The tasting is complemented by live music and entertainment that enliven the square throughout the evening. A distinctive feature of the festival is its strong spirit of solidarity: during the event, volunteers from local associations and the Civil Service deliver hot pettole to the homes of the elderly who cannot attend, ensuring no one is left out of the tradition. It is this sense of community that makes the Pettole Festival much more than just a gastronomic event.

An authentic village in the Monti Dauni

The festival is part of the calendar of events that animate the Municipality of Castelluccio Valmaggiore throughout the year, from the summer season to traditional holidays. The Pro Loco also organizes a summer version, the Pettole Feast, which brings back the ritual in August for tourists and emigrants returning to the village. However, it is on St. Stephen's Day, amidst the bonfire and the chill of the Daunian winter, that the pettole regain their most authentic meaning.

The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced: the festival is traditionally held on December 26th, St. Stephen's Day.