SammarcoFest – Festival of Music and Folk Traditions

A festival that tells the story of San Marco in Lamis

The SammarcoFest – Festival of Music and Folk Traditions was created to give the community of San Marco in Lamis, a town in the Gargano area of the Foggia Province, a full day dedicated to live music and folk culture. The town center, with Via Grande Torino serving as the main stage, transforms into a continuous path of concerts, meetings, and entertainment designed for families, young people, and tradition enthusiasts.

The event blends different genres and languages: from singer-songwriter music to percussion bands, and from the folk songs of the Gargano to DJ sets that carry on through the night. It is more than just a musical event; it is a way to rediscover the language, stories, and crafts of the local community.

Music, roots, and memory

One of the hallmarks of SammarcoFest is its focus on folk traditions: debates in dialect, the promotion of the local vernacular, and the presence of groups that bring the music of village festivals back to the stage. The most recent edition was dedicated to the memory of Teo Ciavarella, a nationally renowned musician of local origin who passed away in Bologna—a figure beloved by the community and a symbol of the bond between the town and great Italian music.

Alongside the concerts, there are book presentations on the history and legends of the Gargano, photo exhibitions, a play area for children, and even sports activities and involvement from local associations, ranging from the Vespa Club to various volunteer groups.

A festival for the whole community

SammarcoFest is built from the ground up, thanks to the collaboration of numerous local associations—including Aps Auser, the San Marco in Lamis Vespa Club, and local cultural groups—with the patronage of the Municipality of San Marco in Lamis and the Puglia Region. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is typical of Gargano festivals: people in the streets, music everywhere, and a shared desire to celebrate together until late at night.

If you are looking for an authentic Gargano experience far from the main tourist circuits, SammarcoFest is the perfect opportunity to experience San Marco in Lamis, its music, and its folk traditions in a single day of celebration.