Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you always wanted to know about Monopolele but were afraid to ask.
The place
Where is Monopoli?
In southern Italy, Apulia. Almost in the middle of it 🙂
Is it worth visiting?
Definitely yes! The city in itself is amazing and there are plenty of beautiful places to explore in the surrounding area as well. Start visiting here.
How do I get there?
Getting to Monopoli is quite easy!
The railway station (fifteen minutes walk to the fest venues) is connected to Bari Centrale with a fast and cheap train leaving twice an hour.
You can get to Bari by train, with direct flights from a lot of European cities (and with a connecting flight almost from everywhere in the world).
Getting from the airport to the railway station is fast and easy too (by train, bus or taxi) and of course you can rent a car at the airport, at the railway station or in Monopoli city centre to explore the surroundings.
If you’re driving to Monopoli, you’ll get to Bari by toll-motorway and then it’s a forty-minute drive on a free motorway.
Οι Έλληνες φίλοι μπορούν να ταξιδεύσουν με πλοίο από Ηγουμενίτσα ή Πάτρα
Where are the fest venues?
Glad you ask! We prepared a list on Google Maps with all the venues! Find it here.
The main evening concerts are at Piazza Palmieri. Thematic workshops take place at Chiostro di San Martino. The festival HQ and exhibitor space is at Chiesa di Santa Maria Amalfitana (open Thursday from 14:00, Friday to Sunday 9:00–18:00). Late-night jam sessions are at Caffè Mezzopieno. The Sound Embraces special concerts are at Chiesa di San Pietro. The grand finale is at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.
Can I get more info about getting around and where to stay?
We made a detailed page for getting to Monopoli, choosing accommodation and getting around. Just follow this link.
The instrument
Ukulele? What the heck is a ukulele?
According to Wikipedia: “The ukulele is a member of the lute family of instruments of Portuguese origin and popularized in Hawaii. It generally employs four nylon strings. The tone and volume of the instrument vary with size and construction. Ukuleles commonly come in four sizes: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. The ukulele is commonly associated with music from Hawaii, where its name roughly translates as ‘jumping flea’, perhaps because of the movement of the player’s fingers.”
According to us: the ukulele is a small, affordable (in almost every sense of the word) instrument you will start loving in seconds.
Is it really easy to learn?
You can grab the very basics in a couple of hours! That’s why we offer free beginner lessons for everyone during the fest — and we even lend you the instrument.
(Of course, a lifetime won’t be enough to become a maestro.)
Can I buy or try instruments at the fest?
Yes! Chiesa di Santa Maria Amalfitana hosts an exhibition space with instruments, strings and accessories from some of the best brands around. The vendors are knowledgeable, friendly people — and they all speak ukulele.
The festival
Are the events free?
Yes — completely free and without an entrance ticket. This includes the five evening concerts, the opening concert, the Sound Embraces special events at Chiesa di San Pietro, the street performances, the late-night jam sessions, the beginner ukulele lessons and the grand finale concert on Monday evening.
How long does the festival last?
Five days: from Thursday 28 May to Monday 1 June 2026. The programme starts gently on Thursday afternoon with the HQ opening and beginner workshops, picks up pace from Friday onwards with a full daily schedule of workshops, street performances and evening concerts, and closes on Monday evening with the grand finale concert in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II.
What are the evening concerts?
The main evening concerts take place at Piazza Palmieri from 20:30. Each night features two or three headline acts from the international ukulele scene. The opening concert on Thursday evening and the grand finale on Monday are held in larger venues to accommodate bigger crowds. All concerts are free. Check the full programme for the complete lineup.
What are the “Sound Embraces” events?
Three intimate special concerts take place over the weekend inside the Chiesa di San Pietro — a setting that makes even a solo ukulele sound like a full orchestra. These are shorter, more contemplative performances, quite different in atmosphere from the outdoor evening concerts: perfect for those moments when you want to pause and really listen. All three are free and open to everyone, no ticket or registration required.
What is “Cartolina dall’Italia”?
On Monday 1 June at noon, the area around Caffè Mezzopieno hosts a relaxed aperitivo concert featuring some of the best Italian artists of the ukulele scene — a warm, informal send-off before the grand finale in the evening.
Join in
What are the Street Performances and can I play in one?
The street performances are one of Monopolele’s most beloved features. Each day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) two time slots — morning and afternoon — turn three of Monopoli’s most iconic squares into open-air stages: Largo Garibaldi, Piazza Garibaldi and Largo Castello. Each performer gets a 10-minute set with battery-powered amplification in front of an audience that keeps growing throughout the day.
No audition, no ticket, no stage fright: just you, your instrument and the city. To sign up for a slot, head to the Play at the Fest page.
What are the Late Night Jam Sessions?
Every evening after the main concert, Caffè Mezzopieno becomes the beating heart of Monopolele’s community spirit. Starting around 22:30–23:00, a confirmed jam leader kicks things off and then anyone with an instrument — or just a voice — is welcome to join. No set list, no rehearsal, no minimum level required. These sessions regularly go past 1am and tend to be among the most memorable moments of the festival.
Just show up, bring your ukulele and follow the groove. If you’d like to lead a jam session yourself, see the Lead the Jam page.
How do the beginner lessons work?
The Ukulele 101 sessions are completely free walk-in classes held at Chiesa di Santa Maria Amalfitana. We lend you a ukulele on the spot — no experience, no instrument, no registration needed. Spots are limited, so arrive a few minutes early. Check the programme for the exact times on each day of the festival.
Do I need to register for the workshops?
Yes — the thematic workshops held at the Chiostro di San Martino (Friday to Sunday, morning and afternoon) require advance registration because spots fill up fast. Some workshops have had over a hundred sign-ups in past editions! Check soon the Workshops page for the full schedule and registration link.
The free Ukulele 101 beginner sessions are walk-in only — no registration needed.
Do I need to bring my own ukulele?
For the Ukulele 101 lessons you don’t — we lend you one on the spot. For the jam sessions and street performances you’ll want your own instrument. If you’re travelling light, the exhibitor space at Santa Maria Amalfitana has quality instruments for sale throughout the festival.
Still have a question?
If you have any other queries, feel free to reach out to us. We are here to help!