Putignano Carnival 2027 runs from Saturday 26 December 2026 to Saturday 13 February 2027. Four float parades are announced, including Martedì Grasso (Shrove Tuesday) on Tuesday 9 February 2027. These dates come from the official announcement of the 633rd edition, published by the Fondazione Carnevale di Putignano.
Checked on against the official sources cited (Fondazione Carnevale di Putignano, 2027 calendar).
Putignano’s carnival lasts seven weeks, and its 2027 calendar is already out. It opens on 26 December 2026 with the Festa delle Propaggini, moves through the satirical Thursdays and street rituals, and builds to the cartapesta float parades in February. This guide gives the official dates, the trip from Bari and where to stay in the historic centre, with the source for each piece of information. The dates follow the announcement of the 633rd edition, read on the Fondazione’s website on 2 November 2026.
1. Putignano, a carnival of floats and satire
Putignano, a town in the province of Bari
Putignano has about 27,000 residents, going by the 2010 ISTAT census (an older figure, cited by Wikipedia). The carnival, run by the Fondazione Carnevale di Putignano, is one of the best-known winter events in Puglia. Three things define it: the cartapesta floats, the Propaggini (improvised satirical verse in dialect), and the Giovedì, themed Thursdays staged in the streets and cellars. Official information is on the Fondazione’s website.
Highlights
- Cartapesta floats over 12 m tall, according to the official 2027 page.
- Improvised satirical verse in dialect, from 26 December.
- Parades in the morning and the evening, on the dates announced.
Think of this as a festival to walk through, not a guided visit. If you’re extending a stay in Puglia, pick a day for Alberobello that isn’t a parade day: according to a 2026 guide, central Putignano is closed to traffic on those days.
2. The 2027 calendar, day by day
The calendar below follows the Fondazione’s official announcement of the 633rd edition, under the theme “Smascherata! Liberate le maschere” (“Unmasked! Free the masks”). Every date comes from that announcement.
| Date | Day | Highlight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 December 2026 | Saturday | Festa delle Propaggini, opening | not published |
| 17 January 2027 | Sunday | Sant’Antonio Abate | not published |
| 21 January 2027 | Thursday | Giovedì dei Pazzi | not published |
| 28 January 2027 | Thursday | Giovedì delle Donne sposate | not published |
| 31 January 2027 | Sunday | First float parade (morning) | not published |
| 2 February 2027 | Tuesday | Festa dell’Orso | not published |
| 4 February 2027 | Thursday | Giovedì dei Cornuti | not published |
| 7 February 2027 | Sunday | Second float parade (morning) | not published |
| 8 February 2027 | Monday | Estrema Unzione del Carnevale | not published |
| 9 February 2027 | Tuesday | Martedì Grasso: Funerale del Carnevale, float parade (evening) | not published |
| 13 February 2027 | Saturday | Last float parade announced (evening) | not published |
Source: Fondazione Carnevale di Putignano, “Carnevale di Putignano 2027: ecco le date della 633a edizione”, checked on 2 November 2026.
Three dates deserve attention. 26 December opens the season with no float parade, just the Propaggini. For UK readers, that day is Boxing Day, and the substitute bank holiday falls on Monday 28 December 2026, which makes the opening weekend a long one. Martedì Grasso, or Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day in the UK), falls on Tuesday 9 February 2027, the day the carnival is symbolically “buried”. The last float parade announced is on Saturday 13 February evening, four days later. One tourist listing gives 17 February as the end of the carnival: that date is a Wednesday and matches no 2027 event, as section 9 explains.
3. The Festa delle Propaggini and the Giovedì
From 26 December, then three satirical Thursdays
The Festa delle Propaggini opens the carnival on Saturday 26 December 2026. It consists of satirical compositions in dialect, recited by improvising poets who take aim at the powerful. According to Nostrofiglio, the presentation of the Propagginanti was announced for 17 January 2026, at 8 pm, in Piazza Plebiscito.
The Giovedì follow the same idea, as themed Thursdays. The Giovedì dei Pazzi falls on Thursday 21 January 2027, the Giovedì delle Donne sposate on Thursday 28 January, and the Giovedì dei Cornuti on Thursday 4 February. They are staged in the streets and cellars of the historic centre, according to the 2026 programme in the national press.
The origin of the rite is richer than the dates. One legend says a procession carried the relics of Saint Stephen from the abbey of Monopoli to Putignano, while another version traces the festival to the wine growers who worked by layering (propaggine). The legend is presented as such by the sources, and local tradition offers several versions. The earliest written testimony identified on the Propaggini dates from 1832, according to a summary of a University of Bari article (see section 9).
What to remember
- 26 December marks the opening, with no float parade.
- The three Giovedì fall on 21 and 28 January, then on 4 February 2027.
- Sant’Antonio Abate, on 17 January 2027, opens the period of blessing rites.
4. The float parades and cartapesta
Floats over 12 metres, built in cartapesta
The floats are made of cartapesta, the papier-mâché worked by maestri cartapestai in their workshops. They move along an outer ring route around the historic centre, as the national press described in 2026. The official 2027 page describes them as taller than 12 metres. A third-party guide gives a range of 10 to 15 metres: that figure is less reliable and is not used here.
The first parade of 2026, on 1 February, drew 20,000 people according to the mayor, Michele Vinella, as cited by the agency AGI on 8 February 2026. Attendance figures for other years are covered separately in section 9, because not all of them are verified. In 2026, the float “Ultima Corrida” was signed by maestro Paolo Mastrangelo, according to the same press.
The table below puts the 2026 parades beside the dates announced for 2027. Use it to spot the days, not to guess the times: the 2026 times don’t apply to 2027.
| Parade | 2026 edition | 2027 edition (announced) | 2027 time |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Sunday 1 February 2026, 3 pm | Sunday 31 January 2027, morning | not published |
| Second | Saturday 7 February 2026, 7 pm | Sunday 7 February 2027, morning | not published |
| Third | Sunday 15 February 2026, 11 am | Tuesday 9 February 2027, evening (Martedì Grasso) | not published |
| Fourth | Tuesday 17 February 2026, 7 pm (Gran Finale) | Saturday 13 February 2027, evening | not published |
Sources: Sky TG24, 2026 programme, 31 January 2026; official 2027 calendar of the Fondazione Carnevale di Putignano, checked on 2 November 2026.
5. The end-of-carnival rites and the Farinella
After the Thursdays, the carnival enters its final week with more symbolic rites. The Festa dell’Orso falls on Tuesday 2 February 2027, a rite tied to the oldest tradition, according to the 2026 press. The Giovedì dei Cornuti, on Thursday 4 February, comes before the Estrema Unzione del Carnevale on Monday 8 February, the closing rite of carnival week. The next day, Tuesday 9 February, brings the Funerale del Carnevale and the Campana dei Maccheroni, then the evening float parade.
The official mask of the carnival is the Farinella. Its name comes from a traditional preparation of roasted, salted chickpeas and barley, which farm labourers ate during their working day. The Italia.it page presents it as the emblem of the carnival.
The 2026 programme also included veglioncini, children’s parties at the Teatro Comunale, and a Pranzo di Comunità, a communal lunch on 8 February. None of this is confirmed for 2027 at the time of writing.
6. Getting to Putignano from Bari and Brindisi
Bari, with its airport, is the most convenient gateway. No direct link between the airport and Putignano was found in the sources consulted. The journey goes through Bari’s central station, where the Tempesta shuttle arrives, and then by FSE train. The FSE station in Putignano is on the Bari–Putignano line, which passes through Casamassima. Train and bus timetables have not been checked against the operator’s official site: confirm them before you travel.
| Route | Mode | Stated duration | Stated cost | Status at 2 November 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bari airport to Bari central station | Tempesta shuttle | about 30 min | €4 to €5 | to reconfirm |
| Bari central station to Putignano | FSE train | 1 h 05 to 1 h 36 | €3 to €9 | timetables not checked |
| Bari, Largo Sorrentino, to Putignano | FSE bus | about 50 min | €2 to €9 | frequency and timetables not checked |
| Brindisi airport to Brindisi city | urban bus | every 30 min | about €3 | no direct link to Putignano found |
Sources: Tempesta Autoservizi PDF (1 October 2025), Omio, Rome2rio, checked on 2 November 2026. Costs and durations are those of aggregators, not of the operators.
From Brindisi, the airport is about 6 km north of the city. No direct link to Putignano was found from Brindisi airport; the urban bus serves the city every 30 minutes for about €3. The trip to Putignano has not been verified: go via Bari or check with the operator. Bari remains the most convenient entry point.
By car, the historic centre is closed to traffic on parade days, according to the 2026 guide. Park-and-ride car parks were signposted for 2026 (viale Cristoforo Colombo, Mercato Boario). Reconfirm them for 2027, along with the traffic orders.
7. Tickets, bookings and budget
No 2027 fares are published at the time of writing. What is known relates to 2026: tickets were sold for some of the main days, online or at the Infopoint on Via Matteotti 6. Teatro Comunale shows require an online booking, which is free but mandatory.
For your budget, the figures available are these. Accommodation: aggregator listings range from €38 to €120 a night, outside carnival week and undated. Transport from Bari: €2 to €9 depending on the aggregator (train €3 to €9, bus €2 to €9). In 2026, tickets were sold for some main days; whether the other days are free is not documented. Until the Fondazione publishes its terms, no amount should be treated as confirmed.
8. Where to stay: the historic centre
The historic centre has plenty of B&Bs within walking distance of the parades. Demand is high during carnival week. The table lists three addresses found online and an aggregator range, whose prices are not dated.
| Accommodation | Location | Indicative price | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| B&By in viaggio | historic centre, via Porta Barsento 41 | not dated | rated 9.6/10 from 6 reviews |
| B&B Santo Stefano | centre | not dated | Wi-Fi, free bikes |
| B&B Arco Michele | old town, closed courtyard under the arch | not dated | townhouse |
| Aggregator range | Putignano | €38 to €120 a night | not dated, outside carnival |
Sources: Topbnb and Bed-and-Breakfast.it, checked on 2 November 2026. Prices are not dated: confirm them with the host.
A traveller on Trip.com recommends a room on the main street of the old centre, to watch the parade from the balcony.
9. What other guides don’t tell you
Most guides point to the official site without repeating the 2027 dates. Here are five points to check.
- The last float parade is on Saturday 13 February 2027, not on Martedì Grasso. The Italia.it listing gives a general window, and a third-party guide leaves out 13 February. The official page announces four parades, the last on the evening of 13 February (Fondazione Carnevale di Putignano) (checked on 2 November 2026).
- The end of the carnival on 17 February 2027 is an error. 17 February 2027 is a Wednesday. Martedì Grasso 2027 falls on Tuesday 9 February, because Easter is on 28 March 2027. 17 February corresponds to Martedì Grasso 2026. The Italia.it listing (checked on 2 November 2026) repeats this window without checking it.
- The 1394 date is a tradition the town claims, not an archive date. Wikipedia and several guides present 1394 as the first edition. The earliest written testimony identified on the Propaggini is, according to a summary of a University of Bari article, the Statistica by Vitangelo Morea (1832). The PDF of the article could not be read (access refused), so this point still needs confirming (University of Bari) (checked on 2 November 2026).
- No official attendance total is published. Press totals circulate without any report from the Fondazione. The only documented figure is around 20,000 people at the first parade of 2024, according to Sky TG24 (checked on 2 November 2026).
- Hours and 2027 prices are not published anywhere. The Fondazione says times and venues will be given in the full programme, due out in the coming weeks. The 2026 times (3 pm, 7 pm, 11 am) do not apply to 2027. No guide consulted gives a 2027 time or price, so this article doesn’t offer one (official source) (checked on 2 November 2026).
Practical information before you go
The historic centre is closed to traffic on parade days, according to the 2026 guide. Park outside and walk into the centre.
Italy uses the euro. Carry some cash for small purchases and street stalls.
The FSE Bari–Putignano timetables have not been checked: look up FSE’s published timetable before you leave. A service of one train an hour, two at peak times, was announced by FS in 2021; current timetables have not been verified.
Frequently asked questions
When is Putignano Carnival 2027?
The 2027 carnival starts on Saturday 26 December 2026 with the Festa delle Propaggini and ends with the float parades of 13 February 2027, the last parade announced by the Fondazione. Martedì Grasso, which marks the end of the ritual, falls on Tuesday 9 February 2027. The other dates are in the calendar in section 2, with the official source.
What are the float parade dates in 2027?
Four parades are announced: Sunday 31 January and Sunday 7 February in the morning, then Tuesday 9 February in the evening (Martedì Grasso) and Saturday 13 February in the evening. Times are not published yet. The 2026 times (3 pm, 7 pm, 11 am) do not apply to 2027.
Do you have to pay to watch the parades?
In 2026, tickets were sold for some of the main days, online or at the Infopoint on Via Matteotti 6. Teatro Comunale shows require a free but mandatory online booking. No 2027 fares are published yet: the terms will come with the full programme.
How do I get to Putignano from Bari airport?
The Tempesta shuttle links the airport to Bari central station in about 30 minutes, for €4 to €5 according to the sources. From there, take the FSE train to Putignano, which takes between 1 h 05 and 1 h 36 according to aggregators. No direct link between the airport and Putignano was found: check timetables before you leave.
Where should I stay in Putignano during the carnival?
The historic centre has B&Bs within walking distance of the parades, for example B&By in viaggio, via Porta Barsento 41. Online prices range from €38 to €120 a night, but they are undated and may not reflect carnival week. Book early, as demand is high during the parades.
Is Putignano Carnival the oldest in Europe?
That is a claim made by the organisers and guides, based on a first edition dated 1394 by tradition. The earliest written testimony identified on the Propaggini dates from 1832, according to a summary of a University of Bari article.
What is the 2027 theme?
The 2027 theme is “Smascherata! Liberate le maschere”, meaning “Unmasked! Free the masks”. It was presented at a public meeting in Putignano on Friday 7 August 2026 by Andrea Colamedici, the Fondazione’s philosophical and cultural director.
What is the Farinella?
The Farinella is the official mask of the carnival. It takes its name from a traditional preparation of roasted, salted chickpeas and barley, which farm workers ate during their working day, according to the Italia.it page checked on 2 November 2026.
Sources
- Fondazione Carnevale di Putignano, “Carnevale di Putignano 2027: ecco le date della 633a edizione” : official 2027 calendar, theme, float parades.
- Fondazione Carnevale di Putignano, official website : programme, ticketing, practical information.
- Italia.it, “Evento Carnevale di Putignano” listing : general window of the carnival and description of the Farinella.
- Sky TG24, 2026 programme (31 January 2026) : 2026 dates and times for reference.
- Sky TG24, first parade of 2024 (5 February 2024) : attendance at the first parade.
- AGI, 8 February 2026 : attendance at the first parade of 2026 according to the mayor, and a 2024 figure cited by the press.
- University of Bari, article “Nuovo Meridionalismo” : 1832 testimony on the Propaggini (summary only, PDF not read).
- Wikipedia EN, Putignano : ISTAT 2010 population and the 1394 tradition.
- Omio and Rome2rio : indicative routes and costs from Bari.
- Topbnb and Bed-and-Breakfast.it : accommodation and undated price range.
Sources checked on 2 November 2026.
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