At Christmas, Puglia puts on its most intimate face. Narrow streets glow with lights, nativity scenes appear in churches and courtyards, and the air smells of fried pettole and roasting chestnuts. From the cities to small hill towns, the region’s Christmas markets mix tradition, craftsmanship and seasonal food. Dates, locations and programmes change from year to year, so check the comune’s website or social pages before you set out.
Bari Christmas market
Bari, the regional capital, has one of Puglia’s best-known markets, often set in the handsome Piazza del Ferrarese on the edge of the old town. Expect handmade crafts, local food and traditional decorations, with music and lights and families out in force for the evening passeggiata.
Lecce Christmas market
In Baroque Lecce, the festive heart is Piazza Sant’Oronzo. The city is famous for its fiera dei pupi, the traditional fair of handmade nativity figures, many of them in the local papier-mâché (cartapesta). Stalls of crafts and food complete the scene, set against the illuminated façades of the old town.
Alberobello Christmas market
Alberobello, famous for its conical trulli, is at its most enchanting in December, when lights and decorations turn the lanes of trulli into a scene from a storybook. Local artisans and food stalls add to the atmosphere.
Polignano a Mare Christmas village
The clifftop town of Polignano a Mare has made a name for its Christmas village, with streets decked in lights above the sea, and stalls of local crafts and food, often with live music.
Ostuni Christmas market
Ostuni, the “White City”, holds its market in Piazza Libertà, with handmade crafts, seasonal sweets and decorations. The whitewashed old town, lit up for the season, makes a beautiful backdrop.
Trani Christmas market
Trani’s market has been held near its Romanesque cathedral and along the harbour, with stalls of handmade gifts, decorations and local food. It has a family-friendly feel, with activities for children.
Monopoli Christmas market
In Monopoli, the market fills Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, the town’s main square, with crafts, food stalls and decorations. Afterwards, wander into the lit-up lanes of the old town by the harbour.
Locorotondo Christmas market
Locorotondo, the circular hill town known for its white wine, fills its streets with stalls of local crafts, food and drink. With the lights strung through its lanes, it is one of the prettiest places in the Valle d’Itria at Christmas.
Cisternino Christmas market
Cisternino, a small whitewashed town in the Valle d’Itria, holds an intimate market of local crafts, traditional food and decorations. The lights in the historic centre make it lovely for an evening stroll, perhaps followed by grilled meat at one of its famous butcher-restaurants.
Putignano Christmas market
Putignano is best known for its Carnival, one of the oldest in Europe, but its Christmas market also draws visitors, with stalls of crafts, nativity figures and seasonal food in the old town.
Martina Franca Christmas market
Baroque Martina Franca sets its market in Piazza XX Settembre, with local crafts, gourmet food and decorations. Afterwards, walk up into the old town to see the lights on the palazzi and churches.
Grottaglie Christmas market
Grottaglie, home to one of Italy’s great ceramic traditions, is the place to find handmade Christmas ceramics and nativity figures from the workshops of its Quartiere delle Ceramiche, along with other crafts and local food. It is ideal for unusual gifts.
Noci Christmas market
Noci has a cosy market in its historic centre, with stalls of decorations, crafts and local food. It is a good way to see a small Puglian town at Christmas.
Fasano Christmas market
Fasano, near the Adriatic coast, holds a smaller market in its historic centre, with local crafts and seasonal treats: a quieter alternative to the bigger towns.
Castellana Grotte Christmas market
Castellana Grotte, famous for its caves, has its own market of crafts and food, and the town usually puts on a good show of lights. In some years special Christmas events have been held in the caves themselves.
Bitonto Christmas market
Bitonto, an olive oil town with a fine Romanesque cathedral, holds its market in the old town, with crafts, olive oil products and decorations. The lit-up streets make for a peaceful, traditional evening.
Oria Christmas market
The hilltop town of Oria, crowned by its castle, has a market that often plays on its medieval past, with artisans and themed decorations. The castle and old town make a striking backdrop.
Ruvo di Puglia Christmas market
Ruvo di Puglia, known for its Romanesque cathedral, holds a traditional market in the centre, with crafts, local food and, in some years, a living nativity scene. Historic architecture and festive spirit make it a warm, welcoming visit.
San Severo Christmas market
In northern Puglia, San Severo has a market of crafts, food and decorations. The town is known for its wine, so look out for local bottles among the stalls.
Over to you
Each of Puglia’s Christmas markets has its own character, from the lively squares of Bari and Lecce to the lanes of Cisternino and Oria. Come for the lights, stay for the pettole and the nativity scenes, and take home a gift made by hand.
