August festivals draw crowds as heat reshapes Italy's summer calendar

August is the busiest month in Italy's festival calendar, and Puglia is no exception. From the world-famous horse races of the North to the food fairs and outdoor cinemas of the South, the month is packed with events, according to The Local Italy's guide to the best August festivals. In Puglia, the summer calendar is anchored by the pizzica, the traditional Salento dance that fills town squares with music and movement well into the night.

But this year's fourth heatwave, which has placed all 27 major cities under the highest heat alert, is forcing organisers to rethink how these events are held. The Local's guide notes that many festivals are moving to the evening hours, when temperatures drop, a pattern that foreign coverage of the heatwave has recommended for tourists and locals alike.

The tension is real: festivals are the lifeblood of Puglia's tourism economy, drawing visitors from across Europe and beyond. But the heat, which has edged close to 40C in some areas, poses a health risk to performers, vendors and audiences. The region's coastal towns, where sea breezes offer some relief, are better placed than inland villages, but the strain is visible everywhere.