Salicomix
The Salento pop culture festival featuring comics, cosplay, and video games
About Salicomix
The nerd festival of Salento
Launched in 2023, Salicomix has quickly become the go-to event for pop culture enthusiasts in Salento. Every year, the historic center of Salice Salentino—a small town in the province of Lecce best known for its wines—is transformed into a massive venue dedicated to comics, manga, cosplay, video games, fantasy, and collectibles. Along Via Umberto I and the town squares, visitors can explore illustrator booths, gaming zones, themed exhibitions, and stages hosting special guests.
A free event for all ages
One of the festival's greatest strengths is that it is completely free and integrated into the urban fabric. Rather than being confined to a trade fair pavilion, it is an open-air festival that engages families, teenagers, cosplayers, and curious passersby alike. The formula combines entertainment with education, with a special focus on involving local schools and universities, from the University of Salento to the Academy of Fine Arts.
What to expect at Salicomix
- Cosplay: parades, prize competitions, themed gatherings, and photo sets;
- Comics and illustration: booths featuring artists, authors, and publishing houses, with book signings and presentations;
- Gaming: card and video game tournaments, retrogaming, and board games;
- Exhibitions: displays of models, dioramas, and building bricks open to collectors;
- Voice acting: workshops and meet-and-greets with the Italian voices of famous cinema and animation characters;
- Guests: comic artists, screenwriters, voice actors, and national content creators.
A festival rooted in the territory
Organized by the Salic'è association with the support of the Municipality of Salice Salentino and local cultural entities, Salicomix is a prime example of how pop culture can engage with the heritage of the Apulian region. The exhibitions and displays, often created in collaboration with museums and universities, bridge the gap between the nerd imagination and historical, literary, and mythological themes, offering visitors from Salento and across Puglia a unique and entertaining experience.
Salicomix — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Salicomix, the fourth of the event, brings the center of Salice Salentino to life on July 11-12. The chosen theme is "Great Battles", a concept that connects classical epics to contemporary pop culture, providing a backdrop for exhibitions, meetings, and activities for fans of all ages. Admission remains free.
Programme Salicomix 2026
The theme: "Great Battles"
The 2026 edition revolves around the theme of Great Battles, ranging from the poems of Homer and Virgil to modern comic, film, and video game sagas.
Exhibitions and displays
- Exhibition "Great Battles between Homer and Virgil", featuring 3D-printed models created by university students in collaboration with the University of Salento;
- Building brick exhibition "Worlds in scale between cinema and animation", open to collectors;
- Exhibition paths dedicated to comics and illustration.
Guests
- Davide Garbolino and Claudio Moneta — voice actors;
- Alessandro Perina and Francesco Artibani — comic authors and screenwriters;
- Victorlaszlo88 — content creator.
Activities and experiences
- 2026 Cosplay Competition and themed parades;
- Immersive experience "The Hat's Verdict" with a fantasy theme;
- Workshops on comics, screenwriting, and Italian dubbing;
- Workshops and meet & greets with guests;
- Presentation of the comic "On the road to Ancient Rome";
- Community gatherings (including One Piece with One Puglia), tournaments, and a gaming area.
Detailed schedules for individual activities will be published on the official website and social media channels in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Salicomix 2026
Prices Salicomix 2026
Practical information — Salicomix
Getting there
Salice Salentino is located in northern Salento, in the province of Lecce. By car, it can be reached via the SS 7 ter road between Lecce and Novoli; the nearest train stations are in Novoli and Lecce, which are connected by local buses. The reference airport is Brindisi.
Admission
Admission to the event is free. Some workshops or specific activities may require prior booking.
Tips
The event takes place largely outdoors along Via Umberto I and in the central squares: we recommend wearing comfortable clothing and suitable footwear for walking. For updates on schedules and the program, please check the official website and the festival's social media channels.
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Where does it take place — Salicomix
Centro storico - Via Umberto I
Via Umberto I, 73015 Salice Salentino