Top 15 evocative and famous musical events in Italy

With the magic of summer, made up of long hot sunny days and unforgettable nights outdoor, Italy turns into an immense stage where to discover all the energy of the most exciting live concerts. From large national and international festivals to the most intimate and evocative shows that enliven magnificent villages, through rock, electronic music, jazz, pop and classical, your trip to Bel Paese will be absolutely memorable by experiencing one of the most electrifying musical events in Italy!

Each region offers every year a rich calendar of concerts to truly satisfy all musical tastes, combining the passion that only music can give with the opportunity to discover beautiful places and landscapes, learn about the best gastronomy of the territory and the most authentic cultural traditions, transforming the holiday in an engaging sensory experience to enjoy like a true local.

We have selected for you the most famous musical events in Italy to dive into the wide panorama of Italian and international music. Sea or mountain, city or village, between guitars, piano, sax and synth, the most beautiful Italian locations await you to the rhythm of music!

Have you already decided the destination for your next trip to Italy? Well, if you are still thinking about it, then perhaps to make the final decision it could be useful to know about the most evocative locations that will be the stage for the best of the music scene.

In this journey made of sounds, melodies and emotions, let's discover together the best musical events in Italy not to be missed this summer (and not only). Song by song and another one, we will visit some of the most fascinating regions and breathtaking locations, just a few steps away from the seashore, near ancient amphitheaters or in the most beautiful and lively town squares. Shall we listen to some music?

The FuturFestival is an event dedicated entirely to electronic music which has been held every year since 2009 in Turin, within the former industrial area of Parco Dora, and has quickly established itself as one of the most important musical events in Italy and Europe, attracting thousands of enthusiasts.

Characterized by an evocative and futuristic setting and a rich and varied music programme, ranging from techno to house and exploring experimental sounds too, the festival stands out for its attention to art and innovation as keys to experience the world, broadening cultural horizons obviously to the rhythm of music.

Schedule 2024: July 5, 6 and 7

The Cinzella Festival is one of the most important and fascinating musical events in Italy which since 2017, exploring some exceptional locations such as the iconic excavation area of Cave di Fantiano in Grottaglie, illuminates the summer nights of Apulia involving an increasingly numerous and passionate audience.

Music is the core of the Cinzella Festival, with the participation of national and international artists from the rock and indie scene in live concert, but every year the event also celebrates cinema, art and culture by perfectly mixing the emotions that each artistic form is capable of generating and conveying. A unique and unforgettable cultural experience under the stars of Apulia, that this year is coming to Brindisi!

Schedule 2024: August 15, 16 and 17

A music event founded in 1983, the Sudtirol Jazz Festival brings internationally renowned artists to perform on several South Tyrolean stages. It is one of the most famous musical summer festivals in Italy and is held in many locations throughout the region, making it possible for the artists to perform on impressive stages surrounded by lakes, mountains and castles.

Schedule 2024: from June 28 to July 7

Cavart-Extrazioni Culturali 'Festival of Arts and Environmental Culture' is one of the fascinating musical events in Italy and especially in North Sardinia, promoted by the Sassari Chamber of Commerce as part of the project 'Salude & Trigu'.

The Municipality of Sennori, in the north-west of the island, with the artistic direction of the Girovagando association, Theatre en vol and Officine Culturali association proposes an event that aims to enhance the value of beautiful and unusual theatrical places.

Cavart presents an experiential journey that gives to the ancient places of historic interest a new role as locations for cultural activities. The event will involve all the village of Sennori in the province of Sassari, where music will be the great protagonist together with arts and tradition. 

Schedule 2024: June 14 and 30, July 7 and 19

Isole che Parlano International Festival usually takes place in September in wonderful Palau and other beautiful places in Gallura such as Arzachena, La Maddalena and Luogosanto. Sardinia, with its deepest cultural roots, in this very occasion confronts contemporary society by marking an ideal bridge with the world.

Since 1996 the festival has become a point of reference in the regional, national and international cultural scene for its acknowledged ability to combine tradition with innovation, a factor which continues to be the backbone of the event, presenting a theme or focus on a specific matter that changes every year. No wonder it is one of the most fascinating summer music festivals in Italy, part of Salude & Trigu.

Schedule 2024: from August 31 to September 8

Ortigia Sound System is a summer electronic music festival aiming to the enhancement of Mediterranean music mixed with more contemporary experiments, accompanied by a series of artistic shows.

The event takes place in Sicily, more specifically near Maniace Castle in Ortigia, which is the oldest part of the city of Syracuse, part of the Unesco Heritage. One of the most famous and electrifying music events in Italy!

Schedule 2024: from August 1 to 4

Indiegeno Fest, organised by Leave Music, takes place at the Greek Theatre of Tindari, and although it has only been active since 2014, it is already considered one of the most famous summer music events in Sicily and in Southern Italy.

In 2020 he took part in the manifesto of the international organization Keychange, placing himself at the forefront of gender equality in the musical environment. In such a suggestive location kissed by the summer sun, not far from Messina, this is the right event for you if you love the sea, fun and music as a symbol of freedom of expression.

Schedule 2024: from August 1 to 4

It has been held in Cortina d’Ampezzo for over 150 years and it is organized by the Cortina d’Ampezzo Musical Body. The festivals of bands, that's Fèŝta de ra Bàndes, it takes place during the last week of August and consists of several musical performances that end with the big bands parade on the last Sunday of the month.

On this occasion you can find out more about the territorial identity with the traditional local signs, typical floats and the clothes handed down from several generations worn by the members of the bands. More than twenty bands and folk groups from both Italy and abroad perform at this very particular festival.

Schedule 2024: last week of August/beginning of September

JazzAlguer is the festival of jazz concerts and arts of the city of Alghero, one of tourist and cultural jewels in North Sardinia.

Places like Lo Quarter and other attractive locations, like Nuraghe Palmanera, will host emotional musical nights with different shows to satisfy all music tastes. The whole shows review is organised by the cultural association Bayou Club-Events. 

JazzAlguer continues along the route traced out in previous years, keeping quality Italian-made jazz as its guiding star.

Schedule 2024: from April 30 to November 25.

It was a former boat-repair-shop, currently the auditorium belongs to the Giorgio Cini Foundation, and since 2016 a season of concerts has been inaugurated every year on the Island of Saint George in Venice: from the windows of the auditorium, with eyes full of wonder and beauty, it is indeed possible to observe in the background Saint Marco Square and the Giudecca Canal.

Schedule 2024: from March 2 to December 7

Romaeuropa Festival is an evocative event of art, performance art, dance, theater, contemporary music and cinema that takes place in the Italian capital since 1986.

The festival, organised by the Association of the Amici di Villa Medici which became the Romaeuropa Foundation in 1990, takes place in 16 locations in the city of Rome giving space to the talent and cultural exchange of national and international artists.

Schedule 2024: from September 4 to November 17

Musica sulle Bocche is an international jazz festival with over twenty years of history that takes place every year in North Sardinia, and in particular in the splendid setting of Castelsardo, promoting high quality music and exceptional live performances with a very high attention to the enhancement of the hinterland, sustainability and natural beauty of the region.

A must of the festival are the beautiful and romantic concerts by the seaside, on fantastic beaches illuminated by the intense colors of summer sunsets, an absolutely unmissable experience with the participation of international artists from the classic jazz scene.

In addition to music, Musica sulle Bocche dedicates a lot of space and time to culture too, with the organization of guided tours to the most important places of interest in the area and exciting photographic exhibitions.

Schedule 2024: from August 5 to 25

The Nameless Festival is one of the most important musical events in Italy dedicated to electronic, trap and hip-hop music which takes place every year in the province of Lecco, precisely between Annone di Brianza and Lake Como, in a beautiful and evocative natural area outdoors.

The festival focuses especially on the full involvement of the audience, concentrating the commitment of the organization on a real experience that goes beyond music, proposing as the core of the program a real horizontal expansion of the musical offer with many new features, new atmospheres and a particular attention to current issues from the point of view of young people, the main target of the festival.

Schedule 2024: June 14, 15 and 16

For more than 25 editions at the main historical places in Ferrara (in Emilia), like Piazza Castello or the internal courtyard of Estense Castle, this festival focuses on a young audience. It hosts music genres such as indie rock, rock and Italian songwriters, contemporary and avant-garde music and international guests from all musical and geographical backgrounds. This whole show connects also with workshops for children and teenagers, as well as meetings and extra events involving the artists.

Schedule 2024: from June 3 to 8, July 8 and 9, October 3

The Bronson Cultural Association promotes the Beaches Brew Festival at the Hana Bi beach resort in Marina di Ravenna, Romagna. This summer festival is free and has been organised annually since 2012, and has already seen the participation of Italian and foreign artists of international renown who perform live concerts a few steps from the seashore. One of the music events in Italy you absolutely can't miss, perhaps exploring the Riviera! 

Schedule 2024: June 4, 5 and 6