Salento Dance Festival
The grand dance celebration at the Quattro Colonne in Santa Maria al Bagno
About Salento Dance Festival
Dance takes center stage on the Nardò seafront
The Salento Dance Festival is the summer highlight that brings dance to one of the most scenic settings on the Nardò coast: the Quattro Colonne square in Santa Maria al Bagno, a seaside hamlet of Nardò, in the province of Lecce. Here, facing the Ionian Sea under the July sky, the open-air stage hosts an annual evening entirely dedicated to the art of dance, with free admission for everyone.
A project by Team Galeone Calignano
The event is conceived and organized by Team Galeone Calignano, the Nardò-based dance school led by masters Gianfranco Galeone and Biagina Calignano, who have been committed to spreading dance culture in the region for years. The group passionately presents a program that ranges from standard ballroom to Latin American dances, as well as group and social dancing: it is this variety that shapes the show, alternating students, young hopefuls, and expert dancers on stage.
What to expect
The Salento Dance Festival is not just a simple performance, but a celebration of dance in all its forms. The audience, consisting of both enthusiasts and curious onlookers, is guided through an evening designed as an opportunity to discover new talents and admire expert dancers in an evocative and informal setting.
- Performances of competitive dance, couple dances, and group choreography
- A spotlight on new talents from the school and the local area
- Open-air stage overlooking the Quattro Colonne
- Free admission and an evening suitable for families and visitors
In the heart of the Nardò summer
The festival is part of the rich Nardò Estate program, through which the municipality enlivens the summer months with music, cabaret, dance, and charity events. Set in Santa Maria al Bagno, one of the most beloved coastal stretches of Salento, the Salento Dance Festival combines the tourist appeal of Puglia with the cultural and social value of dance, offering residents and tourists an evening of free entertainment just a stone's throw from the sea.
Salento Dance Festival — edition 2026
The return of the Salento Dance Festival
In 2026, the Salento Dance Festival celebrates its 15th edition, confirming itself as one of the most anticipated summer events in Nardò. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026, starting at 8:30 PM, in the Quattro Colonne square of Santa Maria al Bagno.
The evening, with free admission, is organized by Team Galeone Calignano and is part of the Nardò Estate 2026 program. As per tradition, the festival celebrates dance in all its forms, offering the public the opportunity to discover new talents and admire expert dancers in a setting overlooking the Ionian Sea of Salento.
Programme Salento Dance Festival 2026
The 15th edition of the Salento Dance Festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026, starting at 8:30 PM, in the Quattro Colonne square of Santa Maria al Bagno (Nardò).
As in previous editions, the evening will alternate performances of competitive dance, couple dances, and group choreography on the open-air stage, giving space to both students and new local talents as well as expert dancers. The detailed cast of performances will be announced by the organizers of Team Galeone Calignano in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Salento Dance Festival 2026
- Free-entry dance evening at the Quattro Colonne
- Spotlight on new talents and expert local dancers
- Open-air stage overlooking the sea of Santa Maria al Bagno
Prices Salento Dance Festival 2026
Practical information — Salento Dance Festival
Location
Piazza delle Quattro Colonne, Santa Maria al Bagno, a coastal hamlet of Nardò (LE), overlooking the Ionian Sea of Salento.
Getting there
By car: Santa Maria al Bagno is about 6 km from the center of Nardò and about 30 km from Lecce, accessible via the provincial roads of the Nardò coastline. By train: the reference station is Nardò (Ferrovie del Sud Est lines), from where you can continue to the coast by car or local connections.
Admission and times
Free admission. The event takes place in the evening, starting around 8:30 PM.
Information
For updates on dates and the program, it is recommended to check the website of the Municipality of Nardò and the channels of Team Galeone Calignano, the event organizer.
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Where does it take place — Salento Dance Festival
Quattro Colonne, Santa Maria al Bagno
Piazza delle Quattro Colonne, Santa Maria al Bagno, 73048 Nardò