Puro Cioccolato Festival

A chocolate-filled weekend in Giovinazzo

The Puro Cioccolato Festival is a food and wine event that brings the very best of Italian and international artisan chocolate to the historic center of Giovinazzo, an elegant town on the Adriatic coast in the province of Bari, every January. The heart of the event is the scenic Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, which for three days fills with fragrant stalls, chocolate artists, and enthusiasts of all ages.

Master chocolatiers from around the world

The festival brings together around ten stalls featuring master artisan chocolatiers from not only Italy, but also Germany, Brazil, Latin American countries, France, and Spain. Visitors can taste and purchase pralines, bars, filled chocolates, and the essential hot chocolate in its many variations, alongside original creations with curious names like the "Juliet's Kiss," "Romeo's Kiss," "Grandma's cherries," and banana-based specialties.

Chocolate and popular tradition

The strength of the Puro Cioccolato Festival lies in its connection to the local festive calendar: the event takes place in conjunction with the Feast of Saint Anthony Abbot and its characteristic bonfires, the ancient fires lit in honor of the patron saint of animals and fire. Between tastings, the public can also savor traditional Giovinazzo dishes linked to the feast, such as caprjéte (fava beans cooked in terracotta pots) and pegnatìdde, in a perfect marriage of artisan sweetness and Apulian folklore.

An event for families and food lovers

Strolling through the stalls, breathing in the scent of cocoa, participating in tastings, and discovering the techniques of master chocolatiers: the festival is designed for both adults and children, with dedicated areas like the selfie spot set up in the square. The event is enriched by cultural initiatives in the old town, such as the theatrical performance "Dite Inferno," inspired by the Divine Comedy, which brings the evenings of the festival to life.

Organization

The festival is organized by the A.I.R.S. - Italian Street Restaurateurs Association as part of the International Street Food circuit, in collaboration with Confartigianato Imprese Bari-BAT-Brindisi and under the patronage of the Municipality of Giovinazzo. It is now a highly anticipated event that combines the promotion of confectionery craftsmanship, the enhancement of the historic center, and traditional Apulian folklore.