Turi Ferrovia Cherry Festival
Three days of flavor, music, and art in the heart of Puglia's cherry country
About Ferrovia Cherry Festival
The festival of Puglia's sweetest cherry
Every year at the start of summer, the town of Turi, a small village in the province of Bari, Puglia, transforms into the capital of cherries. The Ferrovia Cherry Festival is one of the region's most anticipated food and wine events: a celebration that combines local agricultural tradition, excellent cuisine, and a rich program of music, art, and entertainment. Organized by the cultural association In Piazza with the support of the Municipality of Turi, the Puglia Region, and the Ministry of Agriculture, the festival attracts around one hundred thousand visitors annually and hosts over thirty exhibitors.
The Ferrovia Cherry, an award-winning queen
The absolute star is the Ferrovia cherry, a variety with a characteristic ruby-red color, heart shape, and incredibly sweet flavor. Grown in the countryside of Turi, it is considered one of the jewels of Apulian agriculture and has been awarded multiple times as the best cherry in Italy. During the festival, about two hundred quintals are distributed, which can be enjoyed fresh or reimagined in both sweet and savory dishes.
A program of gastronomy and entertainment
The festival brings the historic center to life with food stalls, tasting trails, and numerous side events. Highlights include:
- MasterCherry: the culinary competition that challenges professional chefs, enthusiasts, and young talents to reinvent the Ferrovia cherry in the kitchen;
- Cherry On Air: the stage dedicated to music, interviews, and entertainment curated by Radio Puglia;
- Cherry & Drink: DJ sets and a drink area in the Villa Comunale, designed for younger crowds;
- Photography and art exhibitions scattered throughout the village, such as the Rosso Ferrovia painting competition and displays dedicated to the stories and faces of the town;
- Street performances and roving musical acts throughout the squares.
Live music in the squares
Evenings are marked by concerts, primarily in Piazza Moro, while Piazza Silvio Orlandi hosts the inauguration and stalls. Each edition brings tribute bands, musical shows, and tributes to the greats of Italian music to the stage, creating a festive atmosphere that engages residents and visitors late into the night.
A village to discover
The festival is also the perfect opportunity to explore Turi and its agricultural history: during the three days, guided tours of the historic center are organized, recounting the identity of a town deeply tied to cherry cultivation. Admission to all events is free, making the festival an ideal destination for a family trip to discover the most authentic side of Puglia.
Ferrovia Cherry Festival — edition 2026
The 34th edition
The 2026 edition of the Ferrovia Cherry Festival was held in Turi from June 5 to 7, with an inauguration on Friday evening in Piazza Silvio Orlandi in the presence of journalist and TV host Barbara Politi. The event confirmed its format combining gastronomy, music, and culture, with about one hundred thousand visitors expected and over thirty exhibitors.
Concerts and shows
The evenings took place mainly in Piazza Moro with concerts at 9:00 PM: on Friday, a tribute to 883 and Max Pezzali with LaRadioa1000Max, on Saturday, Valentino Aquilano's tribute to Lucio Dalla, and on Sunday, the Celebration Discobanda. There was no shortage of the Cherry On Air stage curated by Radio Puglia, the MasterCherry culinary competition, the Cherry & Drink area in the Villa Comunale, photography exhibitions, and the Rosso Ferrovia painting competition.
Experiences and tours
During the three days, guided tours of the historic center and tasting trails dedicated to the Ferrovia cherry were offered, with about two hundred quintals of fruit distributed. Admission to all events was free.
Programme Ferrovia Cherry Festival 2026
Friday, June 5
- Approx. 7:00 PM – Inauguration in Piazza Silvio Orlandi with Barbara Politi
- 9:00 PM (Piazza Moro) – Tribute to 883 and Max Pezzali with LaRadioa1000Max
Saturday, June 6
- 9:30 AM – Guided tours of the historic center
- 9:00 PM (Piazza Moro) – Valentino Aquilano, tribute to Lucio Dalla
Sunday, June 7
- 9:30 AM – Guided tours of the historic center
- 9:00 PM (Piazza Moro) – Celebration Discobanda
Throughout the festival
- Food stalls and Ferrovia cherry tastings
- MasterCherry, culinary competition
- Cherry On Air, music and entertainment stage by Radio Puglia
- Cherry & Drink, DJ sets and drink area at the Villa Comunale
- Photography exhibitions and Rosso Ferrovia painting competition
Highlights Ferrovia Cherry Festival 2026
- 34th edition of the festival dedicated to the Ferrovia cherry
- Evening concerts in Piazza Moro with tribute bands and Italian music homages
- MasterCherry culinary competition
- Approx. 200 quintals of cherries and over 30 exhibitors
- Free admission to all events
Prices Ferrovia Cherry Festival 2026
Practical information — Ferrovia Cherry Festival
Getting there
Turi is located in the hinterland of the province of Bari. By car, it can be reached via the SS100 Bari-Taranto road, taking the exit toward Casamassima/Turi. By train, use the Ferrovie del Sud Est network to Turi station, which is connected to Bari. The nearest airport is Bari-Palese Karol Wojtyla, approximately 40 km away.
Admission and hours
Admission to all festival events is free. Activities are concentrated in the historic center, with the inauguration on the first evening and concerts in the square starting at 9:00 PM. Guided tours of the historic center take place in the morning.
Tips
We recommend arriving early to find parking and taking advantage of the stalls to buy fresh cherries. For accommodation, in addition to options in Turi, local agritourisms and nearby towns like Putignano and Casamassima are convenient choices.
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Where does it take place — Ferrovia Cherry Festival
Centro storico di Turi
Piazza Silvio Orlandi, 70010 Turi