Puglia Teatro Festival
Theatre and dance among the trulli of Alberobello, featuring young talents from Italy's top academies
About Puglia Teatro Festival
A festival among the trulli of Alberobello
The Puglia Teatro Festival is a celebration of theatre and dance that takes place in one of Italy's most iconic villages: Alberobello, in the province of Bari, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its unique collection of trulli. Conceived and directed by Michele Ido, the festival utilizes the region's most stunning locations, offering audiences an artistic itinerary that weaves the beauty of the Apulian landscape with the talent of the next generation of performers.
A stage for young talent
At the heart of the project is the section dedicated to Academies: through a partnership with the Silvio d'Amico National Academy of Dramatic Arts, the festival has hosted student actors and directors in productions such as Othello, providing an exceptional showcase for the new faces of the Italian stage. Following three editions focused on acting and directing, the festival expanded its scope to include dance, launching a collaboration with the Rome Opera House School of Dance, directed by the étoile Eleonora Abbagnato.
Alberobello, city of culture
The Puglia Teatro Festival is part of the cultural growth strategy of the Municipality of Alberobello, supported by its bid for Italian Capital of Culture 2027 under the Pietramadre project. Festival evenings bring the Rione Monti—the town's most photographed trulli district—to life, transforming its narrow streets and squares into an open-air theatre beneath the summer sky of the Itria Valley.
Why you should attend
- Theatre and dance performances featuring the best students from Italy's national academies.
- A unique setting among the UNESCO-listed trulli of Alberobello.
- The chance to discover emerging talent before they reach major stages.
- An event integrated into the region's vibrant summer calendar, blending music, culture, and Apulian traditions.
With its unique blend of high-level artistic training and regional promotion, the Puglia Teatro Festival has become a landmark event of the summer in Alberobello and throughout Puglia.
Puglia Teatro Festival — edition 2026
The Puglia Teatro Festival returns to Alberobello with a major highlight: on July 22, 2026, the performance "Puccini" will be staged, featuring students from the Rome Opera House School of Dance, directed by the étoile Eleonora Abbagnato. This continues the collaboration between the festival, conceived and directed by Michele Ido, and Italy's most important artistic training institutions.
The performance is part of the extensive "We Are in Trulli – Summer Edition 2026 UNESCO 30th Anniversary" calendar, which brings over one hundred events—including music, dance, theatre, and cinema—to Alberobello between June and October to celebrate thirty years since the trulli were inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Programme Puglia Teatro Festival 2026
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
"Puccini" — a dance performance featuring students from the Rome Opera House School of Dance, directed by the étoile Eleonora Abbagnato. The program pays homage to Giacomo Puccini through dance, creating a dialogue between the composer's masterpieces and the young performers in training.
The event is part of the "We Are in Trulli – Summer Edition 2026" calendar in Alberobello. Times, exact location, and access details will be announced by the Municipality of Alberobello closer to the date.
Highlights Puglia Teatro Festival 2026
Prices Puglia Teatro Festival 2026
Practical information — Puglia Teatro Festival
Location
The festival takes place in Alberobello (BA), within the Rione Monti, the historic trulli district. Performances are held outdoors.
Getting there
By car: approximately 55 km from Bari via the SS100 and SP237 roads. By train: the Alberobello station is served by Ferrovie del Sud Est, with connections from Bari and Taranto. Nearest airport: Bari-Palese (Karol Wojtyła), about an hour's drive away.
Tips
Alberobello is very popular in the summer: it is advisable to arrive early and park outside the historic center, reaching the Rione Monti on foot. For dates, times, and access details, please check with the Municipality of Alberobello.
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Where does it take place — Puglia Teatro Festival
Rione Monti