Zampina, Bocconcino and Fine Wine Festival
Three days of open-air grilling in the Apulian capital of zampina
About Zampina Festival
The signature festival of Sammichele di Bari
In the town of Sammichele di Bari, located in the province of Bari and the heart of the Murge region in Puglia, the Zampina, Bocconcino and Fine Wine Festival is the annual event that brings the summer to a spectacular close. Established in 1967, it is one of the most enduring and well-known food and wine events in the region. For three days, the historic center transforms into a massive open-air barbecue, with the aroma of charcoal grilling enveloping the village as thousands of visitors arrive from across Puglia and beyond.
Zampina, the star of the show
The undisputed protagonist is the zampina, the signature sausage of Sammichele. It is a spiral-shaped sausage made from finely ground beef and lamb, grated cheese, tomato, salt, pepper, and basil, all encased in natural casing. In 2026, the Zampina of Sammichele di Bari achieved the prestigious EU PGI status, a historic milestone that cements the deep bond between this product and its territory. Alongside the zampina, the festival celebrates the bocconcino (mozzarella bite) and excellent local wine, creating a culinary journey that brings together the town's butchers, producers, and restaurateurs.
More than just food
The festival is about more than just food stalls: every evening, Piazza Vittorio Veneto hosts major free concerts featuring well-known names from the Italian music scene. Meanwhile, the center comes alive with artisan markets, street performances, entertainment, and guided tours to discover the village, which is officially recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. It is an event that weaves together rural tradition, conviviality, and entertainment, perfectly capturing the identity of Sammichele di Bari for every visitor.
When it takes place
The Zampina Festival is traditionally held on the last weekend of September and lasts for three days. It is a free-entry event, perfect for a late-summer getaway to experience the authentic flavors of Puglia.
Zampina Festival — edition 2026
The 60th edition of the Zampina Festival marks a special milestone: it falls in the same year that the Zampina of Sammichele di Bari obtained PGI recognition from the European Union. From September 25 to 27, 2026, the center of Sammichele will light up with charcoal grills, food stalls, artisan markets, and shows, while Piazza Vittorio Veneto hosts the free concerts of the Sammichele Music Festival.
Programme Zampina Festival 2026
Friday, September 25
- Opening of the 60th Festival: lighting of the grills along the streets of the center, stalls featuring zampina, bocconcino, and local wine, markets, and entertainment.
Saturday, September 26 — Piazza Vittorio Veneto
- All-day tastings in the historic center.
- In the evening, a free concert of the Sammichele Music Festival featuring Samurai Jay.
Sunday, September 27 — Piazza Vittorio Veneto
- Final day of the festival with food stalls and shows.
- In the evening, the grand finale with a free concert by Michele Zarrillo.
All concerts in Piazza Vittorio Veneto are free entry. The 2026 Sammichele Music Festival also includes summer dates in the same square (Penny Ford of Snap! on July 25 and Baby K on August 8), leading up to the grand finale of the festival in late September.
Highlights Zampina Festival 2026
Prices Zampina Festival 2026
Practical information — Zampina Festival
Location
Historic center of Sammichele di Bari (BA), Puglia. Concerts are held in Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
How to get there
Sammichele di Bari can be reached by car via the SS100 Bari-Taranto road, taking the exit for Casamassima/Sammichele. By train, it is served by the Ferrovie del Sud Est line from Bari. During the festival, the town center is pedestrianized; we recommend parking in the designated areas outside the town.
Admission
Access to the festival areas and concerts in Piazza Vittorio Veneto is free. Food and wine tastings are paid for at individual stalls.
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Where does it take place — Zampina Festival
Centro storico e Piazza Vittorio Veneto
Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 70010 Sammichele di Bari