Every year, on St. Stephen’s Day, Piazza Umberto I becomes something difficult to explain to anyone who has never been there. Olive oil sizzles in the pots, the warm aroma of fried dough drifts through the alleyways of the historic center, and around the fire gather families, elderly people, children, and visitors who arrived by chance, or by choice.

The Pettole Festival of Castelluccio Valmaggiore is one of those events that needs no elaborate staging: the pettole, the square, and the people are enough. Held every December 26 for more than thirty years, it has become one of the most eagerly awaited events among the Christmas festivals and traditions of the Dauno Apennines.

Pettole: Fried Leavened Dough, Simplicity That Becomes Identity

Puglian pettole are soft fritters made from leavened dough, shaped by hand and dropped into boiling olive oil until they puff into small golden clouds. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet this traditional recipe, passed down from kitchen to kitchen, from grandmothers to grandchildren, tells centuries of rural culinary culture on its own.

Within the food and wine heritage of the Alta Valle del Celone, pettole hold a special place. They are the food of Christmas, prepared in homes during the weeks of Advent, filling the holidays with their aroma and bringing generations together around the table. In Castelluccio, this culinary heritage has moved beyond private kitchens to become a community event, a gathering for everyone to share.

A Medieval Village in the Dauno Apennines

Castelluccio Valmaggiore is a small village in the Alta Valle del Celone, perched on a ridge of the Monti Dauni (Dauni Mountains) at around 700 meters above sea level. Its historic center has preserved its original medieval layout, with narrow alleyways, stone houses, and a circular tower of Byzantine origin that has dominated the landscape for centuries.

It is one of those places where time has not stopped, it has simply slowed down. Castelluccio is a member of the Borghi Autentici d’Italia association and perfectly embodies the spirit of slow tourism that more and more travelers seek, especially in the inland areas of the Province of Foggia: open landscapes, silence, and authentic flavors.

On December 26, however, the silence gives way to the aroma of hot olive oil and the voices of celebration.

What to Do on December 26 in the Villages of Inland Puglia

If you are wondering what to do on December 26 in a village of inland Puglia, the Pettole Festival is a clear answer: a scheduled event in the town square, with set times, distinctive aromas, and real people.

The festival takes place in the heart of Piazza Umberto I, in the village’s historic center. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is welcoming and familiar. Visitors often take the opportunity to explore the village streets, admire the views over the Monti Dauni, or stop to chat with the locals.

For those planning a Christmas weekend in the inland countryside, Castelluccio fits naturally into a food and wine itinerary through the Alta Valle del Celone. Nearby are Celle di San Vito, one of Italy’s Franco-Provençal villages, and Faeto, with its history and unique language. Three distinct communities, just a few kilometers apart, that together offer an unexpected portrait of the southern Apennines.

Discover Castelluccio Valmaggiore and the Alta Valle del Celone

The Pettole Festival is just one of the many reasons to discover this corner of inland Puglia.

Continue exploring the website to discover places to visit, itineraries through the Monti Dauni, other local traditions, events, and the flavors of the Alta Valle del Celone. There is more here than you might expect.