Taranto’s event calendar revolves around two poles: the intense religious rituals of Holy Week in spring and the laid-back summer festivals celebrating food, music, and the sea. The city does not have the packed festival schedule of Rome or Florence, but what it offers is authentic and deeply rooted in local tradition. Here are the key events and festivals in Taranto throughout the year, with dates and practical details. For a complete overview, see the Taranto travel guide.
Taranto Events and Festivals: Holy Week (Settimana Santa)
Holy Week in Taranto is one of southern Italy’s most intense religious spectacles, running from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (late March or April depending on the liturgical year; in 2026 Easter falls on April 5). The focal point is the Processione dei Perdoni (Procession of Forgiveness), a ritual dating to at least the 17th century. Starting on Holy Thursday evening, pairs of hooded penitents called “perdune” dressed in white robes with pointed hoods walk barefoot through the Borgo Antico in a slow, swaying gait called “nazzicata.” The procession lasts from roughly 18:00 on Thursday until dawn Friday, continuing Friday night into Saturday. The statue of the Addolorata (Our Lady of Sorrows) and the Dead Christ are carried through the streets accompanied by funeral marches played by local bands. The entire old town fills with spectators. Book accommodation 2 to 3 months ahead if visiting during Holy Week. The procession route runs from the Church of San Domenico through Via Duomo to the cathedral and back. See our Taranto weather by month guide.
Taranto Events and Festivals: Feast of San Cataldo (May 10)
San Cataldo is Taranto’s patron saint, an Irish monk who became the city’s bishop in the 7th century. His feast day on May 10 is the city’s biggest civic celebration. The day starts with a procession carrying the saint’s silver statue from the cathedral through the Borgo Antico and Borgo Nuovo. Rowing races (palio del mare) take place in the Mar Piccolo, with teams from different city neighborhoods competing in traditional wooden boats. In the evening, a street food festival lines the Lungomare with stalls selling cozze alla tarantina, panzerotti, and friselle. Fireworks over the Mar Grande close the celebration around 23:00. The entire event is free to attend. See our best time to visit Taranto guide.
Taranto Events and Festivals: Summer Music and Sagre
Taranto Jazz Festival (July)
The Taranto Jazz Festival runs over several evenings in early to mid-July at outdoor venues around the city, primarily the courtyard of the Castello Aragonese and Piazza Maria Immacolata. The lineup mixes established Italian jazz musicians with occasional international guests. Past performers have included Enrico Rava and Stefano Bollani. Most concerts are free; ticketed headline shows cost 10 to 15 euros. Check the official website (tarantojazzfestival.it) for the exact program, typically announced in May. See our things to do in Taranto guide.
Medimex (September)
Medimex is Puglia’s largest international music festival and trade fair, rotating between Taranto, Bari, and other regional cities. When it lands in Taranto (check medimex.it for the year’s location), it brings 2 to 3 days of concerts, DJ sets, and industry panels. Headline shows are ticketed (25 to 40 euros) while most daytime events are free. The festival has brought acts like Nick Cave, Kraftwerk, and The Chemical Brothers to the city’s waterfront venues. See our Taranto neighborhoods guide guide.
Sagra della Cozza (Mussel Festival) – August
Multiple sagre della cozza pop up in towns around the Gulf of Taranto during August. The largest is typically in Leporano, a coastal town 15 km southeast of Taranto, where stalls serve mussels prepared alla tarantina (baked with breadcrumbs and pecorino), steamed, fried, and in pasta for roughly 5 to 8 euros per plate. Live music and dancing continue until late. These are casual, outdoor community events rather than organized festivals. Dates vary by year, usually announced in local Facebook groups and posters in July. See our where to stay in Taranto guide.
Taranto Events and Festivals: Christmas Season
From early December through Epiphany (January 6), Via di Palma in the Borgo Nuovo hosts Christmas markets with wooden stalls selling artisanal gifts, nativity figurines (presepi), and street food. A large Christmas tree and nativity scene are installed in Piazza Maria Immacolata. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8) marks the official start with a religious procession. New Year’s Eve brings a concert and fireworks at the Rotonda del Lungomare. The Befana (January 6) closes the season with a children’s event and small gifts distributed in the piazza. All Christmas events are free. See our Taranto travel tips and FAQ guide.
Taranto Events and Festivals: Annual Calendar Summary
- March or April: Holy Week processions (dates vary by liturgical calendar)
- May 10: Feast of San Cataldo with procession, boat races, street food, fireworks
- July: Taranto Jazz Festival at Castello Aragonese and city piazzas
- August: Sagra della Cozza (mussel festival) in Leporano and surrounding towns
- September: Medimex music festival (when scheduled in Taranto)
- December: Christmas markets on Via di Palma and Piazza Maria Immacolata
- December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception with procession
- January 6: Epiphany (La Befana) celebrations
