Polpetta Festival – Food & Sound

The meatball festival in Poggiardo

In the heart of Salento, the Polpetta Festival – Food & Sound is one of the most delicious gastronomic events of the summer in Poggiardo, in the Province of Lecce. For two days in August, the town celebrates a dish that is both humble and a symbol of Puglian popular cuisine: the meatball, here presented in every possible form and transformed into the undisputed queen of the festival. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is that of a typical Salento village fair, with the scent of fried food, live music, and long outdoor tables.

Meatballs in all their versions

The common thread of the event is the meatball, offered by food stalls in a range of variations that span from tradition to gourmet cuisine:

• tomato sauce meatballs, following the classic home recipe;
• Negroamaro meatballs, paired with the signature wine of Salento;
• seafood and vegetable meatballs, for those looking for lighter alternatives;
• fried meatballs or served in a sandwich, perfect for eating on the go.

Alongside the meatballs, there is no shortage of Puglian food and wine excellence, local specialties, and international cuisine, accompanied by craft beers, local wines, desserts, and ice cream.

Music, markets, and kids' area

The Polpetta Festival is not just about food: the "Sound" part of the name refers to the musical program that enlivens Piazzale Piscina every evening, with pizzica salentina and folk music groups inviting everyone to dance, alternating with pop and cover bands. A craft and local products market is set up in the streets around the square, while families can enjoy a dedicated children's area with games and entertainment.

A late-summer appointment in Salento

Reaching its seventh edition in 2025, the festival has become a classic of the lower Salento summer calendar, attracting visitors to Poggiardo from all over the Province of Lecce as well as tourists vacationing on the Adriatic coast. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an inland Salento village while combining good food, tradition, and conviviality under the August stars.