Bari and its province are gearing up for an unforgettable weekend from May 9 to May 11, 2025, filled with solemn celebrations, cultural events, and shows. The city is alive with the conclusion of the San Nicola celebrations, transforming squares, theaters, and venues into stages for concerts, guided tours, and interactive workshops. This weekend is made even more special by Mother's Day, celebrated with live music, markets, and activities for the whole family, from the sea to the historic center, extending to the hills of Rutigliano and Conversano.
The highlight of the San Nicola celebrations culminates on May 9, 2025, with the 'day of the people of Bari.' At 6 PM, a Solemn Concelebration will take place in the Basilica, presided over by the Archbishop of Bari-Bitonto, Monsignor Giuseppe Satriano, featuring the collection of the Holy Manna. Later, at 10 PM, the festival will conclude with a dazzling pyrotechnic show by the Sicilian company La Rosa.
Additionally, the 'Villaggio del Gusto – CAB edition 2025' event, which combines gastronomy and local beers with culture, music, and events, is scheduled from May 6 to May 11, 2025, in Largo Giannella. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for this gastronomic celebration will occur on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6 PM.
On Sunday, May 11, 2025, Radio Norba's live radio show will stop in Bitonto, where the popular duo Coma_Cose will perform, following their recent radio hit “Cuoricini,” which topped the Earone radio chart and earned a gold record.
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, the Historical Parade of San Nicola will take place in Rutigliano, marking its 15th edition. This event commemorates the beginning of the Patronage of San Nicola over Rutigliano, celebrating the 719th Anniversary (1306 - 2025). The parade will feature 150 figures in medieval costumes, reenacting the donation of the feud of Rutigliano to the Chapter of San Nicola of Bari by Carlo II d'Angiò, which was formalized on May 13, 1306. The parade will commence at 8 PM from Piazza Colamussi in the Old Town.
In Bari, attendees can enjoy astronomical observations and science theater performances at the Bari Planetarium, where actor Gianluigi Belsito will narrate the story of the father of modern scientific thought and the invention of the scientific method, followed by telescope observations of the Moon.
From May 9 to May 10, 2025, the Ca.Co. Festival will animate Bari with extraordinary exhibitions, screenings, workshops, and parties dedicated to illustration, comics, and animation, while also providing a platform for contemporary independent publishing.
On Sunday, May 11, 2025, the Abeliano Theater in Bari will host the cultural association Echo Events' show 'Musical Intelligence' by the Gemelli di Guidonia, a trio exploring the concept of artificial intelligence in music.
Meanwhile, the Demodé Club in Modugno, celebrating its 25th season, will feature a concert by Adika Pongo on Saturday, May 10, 2025. This band, known for its soulful dance disco sound, will take the audience on a nostalgic journey through the rhythms of the 70s and 80s, covering iconic groups like Chic and Earth Wind & Fire.
On the same day at 5:30 PM, there will be a visit to the historic Faro di Bari, built in 1869. Standing at 62 meters tall (66 meters above sea level), it is the third-highest lighthouse in Italy and the 22nd in the world. This event is organized in collaboration with the Mar di Levante association.
In Conversano, the 'Norbantiqua' event continues until Sunday, May 11, 2025, featuring three appointments from May 3 to May 11, 2025, dedicated to ancient music and its relationship with places of art and history, taking place in evocative locations like the Chiesa dei Paolotti and the Pinacoteca “Paolo Finoglio.”
Simultaneously, the Istituto Oncologico Romagnolo (IOR) is preparing for the Mother's Day 2025 event, organizing the sale of solidarity azaleas across Romagna on Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, 2025. This initiative will involve 600 volunteers across nearly 200 locations, showcasing an incredible display of solidarity and support against cancer.
Last year, the Mother's Day event raised approximately 290,000 euros from the sale of over 15,000 azaleas. This year, the IOR aims to replicate that success, emphasizing the importance of volunteer work in the community. Fabrizio Miserocchi, the General Director of IOR, noted, “Never before has 'making a difference' taken on such a concrete meaning. This year, we again encourage healthy competition among municipalities to determine which province or town can show the most solidarity.”
In addition to the in-person sales, the 'azalea sospesa' initiative allows people to donate azaleas to mothers and patients hospitalized in the hospices of Romagna. This gesture aims to provide a surprise gift and a sense of closeness to women facing critical stages of their illness.
For residents in the province of Forlì-Cesena wishing to purchase an azalea for their loved ones, the IOR has set up multiple locations throughout the region. The complete list of locations can be found on their website.
In Milan, various events are also taking place to celebrate Mother's Day on May 10 and 11, 2025. Activities include art exhibitions at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and workshops for creating crowns, alongside the Azalee della Ricerca Airc initiative supporting scientific research against tumors affecting women.
On May 11, 2025, the Lanterna di Genova will host a special afternoon for families, aimed at children and young people from 0 to 12 years old, featuring storytelling and activities in one of the city's most picturesque locations. Admission is free for residents of the Metropolitan City of Genoa on Sundays, making it an accessible event for families to celebrate together.
