Saint Anne Festival and Panzerotto Food Festival

A neighborhood festival in the heart of Monopoli

The Saint Anne Festival is one of the most anticipated summer events in the Sant'Anna district of Monopoli, a town on the Adriatic coast in the province of Bari, in the heart of Puglia. Organized by the Sant'Anna Parish, the festival bridges the gap between religious observance and popular celebration, transforming the streets around the church for three days into a vibrant path filled with illuminations, stalls, and the aromas of traditional cuisine.

Faith and popular devotion

The spiritual core of the festival is the liturgical feast of Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary and patron saint of mothers and expectant women. During the festival, moments of great participation follow one another: the blessing of children, expectant mothers, and grandparents, the triduum of preparation with evening Holy Masses, and, on the solemn day, the Mass presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Conversano-Monopoli, followed by the procession accompanied by the town band through the streets of the district.

Music, shows, and joy

Alongside the religious dimension, the evenings offer a rich entertainment program designed for all ages: live concerts, tributes to Italian pop music, comedy shows, entertainment for children, and the traditional fireworks display that lights up the sky of Monopoli. The lottery draw is another highly anticipated moment for both the faithful and residents.

The Panzerotto Food Festival

The true gastronomic symbol of the festival is the Panzerotto Food Festival, which runs throughout the evenings. The panzerotto, a half-moon of dough stuffed with tomato and mozzarella and fried in boiling oil, is a cornerstone of Puglian and Barese cuisine: in the stands set up along the streets adjacent to the church, it is prepared and served hot, along with other local traditional specialties. It is the perfect opportunity to savor an authentic dish in an atmosphere of popular celebration.

A community gathering

The Saint Anne Festival and Panzerotto Food Festival is much more than just a food fair: it is a time when the entire district comes together, across different generations, to renew a bond of faith and belonging. For the visitor, it represents a genuine way to discover the popular soul of Monopoli, away from the tourist circuits of the historic center and the port, immersed in the daily life of a Puglian community.