Pupo Fritto and Ricotta Forte Festival
The rustic festival in the Montursi pine forest, featuring pupo fritto, ricotta forte, and Gioia del Colle mozzarella
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Pupo Fritto Festival
A feast of flavors in the Montursi pine forest
The Pupo Fritto and Ricotta Forte Festival is one of the most anticipated summer events in Gioia del Colle, in the province of Bari, in the heart of the Murgia plateau. The event takes place in the Montursi pine forest, a rural district a few kilometers from the town center that has been a bastion of the quiet rural life of the area for centuries. It is here, among the pine trees and open-air tables, that the Comitato Pro Montursi brings to life a popular festival every summer that brings together residents, families, and visitors from out of town.
Pupo fritto and ricotta forte, the stars of the table
At the heart of the festival are the specialties of the Murgia gastronomic tradition, served at the stalls managed by the committee's volunteers. The pupo fritto — in dialect u pup fritt — is the typical savory fritter of the local peasant cuisine, golden and fragrant, prepared according to recipes passed down from generation to generation. Accompanying it is the inevitable ricotta forte, the famous Apulian rcott ascquant: a fermented ricotta with a bold, spicy, creamy, and intense flavor, one of the most iconic symbols of Murgia cuisine. Completing the offering is the mozzarella from Gioia del Colle, a product of excellence that has made the town famous well beyond regional borders.
Music, comedy, and entertainment
The festival is not just about good food: the evening comes alive with live music, comedy shows, and entertainment designed for children as well. In past editions, local artists and comedians have taken part in the festival, with entertainment dedicated to the little ones, making the event suitable for an audience of all ages. The intimate atmosphere of the pine forest, with its picnic area and large adjacent parking lot, helps make the event a convivial evening dedicated to rural roots and Apulian hospitality.
A tradition that renews itself
Now in its many editions, the Pupo Fritto and Ricotta Forte Festival has fully entered the calendar of summer festivals in Gioia del Colle, often included in the municipal program of seasonal events. It represents a precious opportunity to rediscover the typical products of the area, support local associations, and enjoy a summer evening in the natural setting of the Montursi district, in the province of Bari.
Pupo Fritto Festival — edition 2026
As of today, the Comitato Pro Montursi has not yet announced the official dates for the 2026 edition of the Pupo Fritto and Ricotta Forte Festival. The municipal summer program Joha AeStas 2026 of Gioia del Colle mentions some Montursi festivals in the period between July and August, without specifying their names or specialties. Given the long tradition of the event, a new edition in the Montursi pine forest is expected, with food stalls dedicated to pupo fritto and ricotta forte, music, and entertainment for children. The detailed program will be published by the organizing committee closer to the event.
Practical information — Pupo Fritto Festival
Location
The festival is held in the Montursi pine forest, a rural district of Gioia del Colle (Bari), in Puglia. A picnic area and a large parking lot adjacent to the pine forest are available.
Admission
Admission to the event is free. Food and drinks can be purchased at the stalls set up by the Comitato Pro Montursi.
When
The event traditionally takes place in the summer, usually in the first few days of August, in the evening. For updated dates, we recommend checking the channels of the Municipality of Gioia del Colle and the Comitato Pro Montursi.
How to get there
Gioia del Colle can be reached by car via the SS100 Bari-Taranto road and has a train station on the Bari-Taranto line. The Montursi district is located in the countryside a short distance from the town center.
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Where does it take place — Pupo Fritto Festival
Pineta di Montursi