If you are a lover of music, delicious cuisine and ancient cities, Italy is the right destination for you. Every year, from north to south, there are concerts, music festivals and plenty of other events to spice up your summer holiday. The programme is fully packed and all events take place outdoors, for example in ancient amphitheatres, on beaches overlooking the sea or in squares.
In Rome, the very heart of Italy, the Caracalla festival takes place every year during the summer fun, from 30 May to 10 August. You can look forward to fifty great nights of rich programming taking place under the stars - opera, theatre, ballet, jazz or pop music. It all takes place in the Caracalla Baths, which were once built in 216 by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The spa was used not only for relaxation but also as a place of social life. Today it is used exclusively for cultural purposes, such as the Caracalla Festival. Ticket prices can be checked here.
We move to the island of Sicily, where the Valle dei Tempi or Valley of the Temples, the largest archaeological park in the world, hosts the annual Festivalle. This is a jazz music festival that lasts for four days from August 3 to 6. the Valley of the Temples is located just outside the beautiful city of Agrigento. The city is famous all over the world for its impressive Doric temples and its rich history. It's an incredible experience to witness something like this while being intoxicated by jazz music. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here https://www.festivalle.it/. Near Etna, in the town of Milo, the opera festival takes place again from 22 to 25 August. On the slopes of Etna, among the volcanic landscape and sunrises on the vineyards, visitors will be able to enjoy the magical atmosphere of concerts under the tall trees - https://www.operafestival.net/.
Music lovers will also find something to enjoy on the island of Sardinia.In the mountainous region of Gallura, famous for the most beautiful beaches on the island, the small village of Berchidda is hosting Time in Jazz from 8 to 16 August. For ten days, Italian and international artists perform in various venues from the main square, Piazza di Legno, in theatres, churches and also on the streets. The festival is not only focused on musical performances, but also on dance, cinema and visual arts. Entrance to most of the events is free, except for a few concerts -https://timeinjazz.it/artisti/. One of the other famous festivals on the island of Sardinia is the Red Valley Festival, which takes place every year on the days of the Ferragosto holidays from 14 to 17 August at the Olbia Arena. It is one of the biggest crossover festivals in Italy with a very rich line-up of artists and an even richer program. Tickets can be purchased online - https://redvalleyfestival.com/.
The festival of Italian songs is known as the Festival of San Remo. It is the most famous and also the oldest festival in Italy, premiering in 1977. It all takes place in the Ariston Theatre. The Festival of San Remo is a singing competition whose participants are performers of popular music who perform their unreleased songs. The competition serves as a stepping stone into the world of music for up-and-coming artists who have a chance to become pop stars. The winner is decided not only by the jury but also by popular vote. Witness the emerging stars and come and support your favourites, the festival takes place this year from 6 to 10 February - https://sanremo2024.it/ticket/.
If you're looking to immerse yourself in the local culture, sip good wine and taste great Italian food, music festivals are the place for you. It offers an authentic and engaging experience complemented by the great atmosphere and beauty of Italy.
