Sorrisi nel Borgo
A comedy theatre festival held in the courtyard of Castello Caracciolo
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Sorrisi nel Borgo
Comedy theatre in the heart of Sammichele di Bari
Sorrisi nel Borgo is a comedy theatre festival that brings entertainment every summer to the open-air courtyard of Castello Caracciolo, located in the historic centre of Sammichele di Bari, in the province of Bari and the heart of Puglia. As part of the vibrant Sammichele Summer programme, the event transforms the castle—which also houses the "Dino Bianco" Museum of Peasant Civilization—into an open-air stage where the audience gathers, evening after evening, to applaud and laugh together.
A competition of laughter
The heart of the festival is the theatre company competition: over several evenings between late June and July, the competing groups perform brilliant comedies and comedic shows, vying for the favour of both the audience and a jury. The journey concludes with a Grand Awards Gala, a final evening where accolades are presented to the most appreciated shows, actors, and companies of the edition.
One of Italy's most beautiful villages
Sammichele di Bari is part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy network and is famous throughout the region for its zampina, the typical coiled sausage that is the star of the historic Zampina Festival. Attending an evening at Sorrisi nel Borgo means experiencing not just theatre, but also the atmosphere of an intimate and welcoming historic centre, among alleys, squares, and the imposing castle that dominates the town.
A staple of the Puglian summer
The festival, established just a few years ago, has quickly become a fixed appointment of the Sammichele summer, showcasing local theatrical talent and offering residents and visitors evenings of live performance. The atmosphere is that of a familiar and engaging Puglian village festival: an audience of all ages, an entrance in the heart of the village, and comedy as the common thread.
- Where: Courtyard of Castello Caracciolo, historic centre of Sammichele di Bari
- When: Evenings between late June and July, with a final Grand Awards Gala
- Genre: Brilliant comedy, comedy theatre, live performance
- Context: Sammichele Summer, Metropolitan City of Bari, Puglia
Sorrisi nel Borgo — edition 2026
Sorrisi nel Borgo returns as part of the 2026 Sammichele Summer in Sammichele di Bari. The dates for the 2026 edition and the full programme (evenings, competing theatre companies, final Grand Gala) have not yet been officially announced. For updates, please refer to the channels of the Municipality of Sammichele di Bari.
Practical information — Sorrisi nel Borgo
How to get there
Sammichele di Bari is located in the hinterland of the Metropolitan City of Bari. By car, it can be reached via the SS100 Bari-Taranto road, taking the exit for Sammichele; by train, via the Ferrovie del Sud Est, with connections from the Bari Centrale station. The performances take place in the courtyard of Castello Caracciolo, in the historic centre.
Tips
The evenings are held outdoors at night: it is recommended to arrive a little early to secure a seat. For dates, updated programmes, and entry details, it is best to consult the official channels of the Municipality of Sammichele di Bari and the Sammichele Summer pages.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Sorrisi nel Borgo
Castello Caracciolo
Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 70010 Sammichele di Bari