The best summer festivals in Italy in 2023
With warm weather around the corner, summer 2023 is looking fun. If you’re traveling through Italy and are looking to spruce up your holiday with some good music, look no further: we got you covered with a great selection of Italy’s best summer festivals!
Ravello Festival
CLASSICALAnnunziata Historic Building, Amalfi Coast
From July to September
Get ready for one of the most magical festivals there is. Held in the gorgeous Ravello, one of the gems on the Amalfi coast (not to mention the highest up) the festival is like you’ve never seen one before. With concerts happening in summer months, visiting both the town and the concert hall is quite spectacular. Gaze out at the amalfi coast from any of the amazing terraces in Ravello, and then head on to your show.
Mi Ami
INDIE / POPCircolo Magnolia, Milan
26 – 28 May
Back for its 16th edition, Mi Ami, Important Music in Milan, is a renown festival that has been rocking out since 1997. Dedicated to discovering new talents and giving up and coming artists the chance to get up on stage, Mi Ami has become a favorite among italian festivals. Only showcasing italian artists, the festival is a go-to event if you’re looking to have fun and explore the italian indie scene! This edition’s artists include Dargen D’Amico, Coma Cose, Fulminacci, Verdena and more.
Nameless Music Festival
EDM – Electronic Dance MusicAnnone di Brianza, Lecco
2 – 4 June
If you haven’t had the chance to experience an EDM event, let alone three whole days of it, Nameless Festival is definitely a good place to start. Full of energy and beat, EDM is a genre that will have you dancing the whole time. Nameless is a long awaited festival by both locals, and the international crowd. Easily reachable from Milan, the festival is also a great excuse to visit Lecco and its surrounding cities. With names like Benny Benassi, Gordo, and Kayzo, you won’t want to miss out.
Milano Summer Festival
ROCK / POP / ELECTRONICIppodromo Snai di San Siro, Milan
29 May – 8 September
Concerts in Milan usually mean big names and even bigger stages and this summer is no different. At the Milano Summer Festival 2023 make sure to grab tickets for Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard on June 20th and Iron Maiden on July 15th!
Festival di Caracalla
CLASSICAL / POP / JAZZCaracalla’s Baths, Rome
30 May – 10 August
One of the most magical places, the Caracalla Summer Festival is quite spectacular. Hosted by the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, the festival celebrates music, dance, and mostly classical genre-based entertainment. Whether you choose to watch the opera La Traviata or Rigoletto, the Strictly Gershwin musical ballet or the worldwide famous ballet dancer Roberto Bolle & Friends, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 or some big names of Italian Music such as Zucchero, Andrea Bocelli, Negramaro, just sit back and enjoy the show.
Pistoia Blues
BLUES / ROCKPiazza Duomo, Pistoia
5 – 12 July
The beloved Pistoia Blues festival is known for its unique energy and lively shows. Held in one of the most central squares of Pistoia, dancing and singing here is a one of a kind experience. With artists like Xavier Rudd on July 5th, Steve Hackett on July 7th, and Damien Rice on July 12th, both you and the city will be buzzing from happiness.
Idays Coca Cola
INDIE / ROCKIppodromo Snai San Siro e La Maura, Milan
12 June – 15 July
Rock your summer away at the IDays festival in Milan! A compilation of bands that make this event a must. Don’t miss out on Florence + The Machine on June 22th, Paolo Nutini with Interpol on June 24th, Travis Scott on June 30th, Red Hot Chili Peppers on July 2nd and Arctic Monkeys on July 15th.
Roma Summer Festival
ROCK / POPCavea of Auditorium Parco Della Musica, Rome
6 June – 4 August
Starting June 6th and following through till August 4th, the Roma Summer Fest is held at the Auditorium Parco della Musica’s Cavea. A venue Romans are familiar with, if you’re visiting the Eternal City this summer, definitely consider stopping by for some good music. Some suggestions? The Lumineers on June 26th, Interpol on June 28th, Bob Dylan on July 9th, and Sting on July 14th.
Rock in Roma
ROCK / POP / RAPIppodromo delle Capannelle, Rome
8 June – 22 September
One of the most anticipated lineups when it comes to summer festivals in Italy, Rock in Roma is hard to beat. Spacing out from international stars to national sensations, the lineup is always full of surprises. This year, the festival is treating its concert goers to as a swell time, thanks to names like: Bresh on June 20th, Coez on July 9th, Maluma on July 12th, and Arctic Monkeys on July 16th.
Firenze Rock Festival
ROCKIppodromo del Visarno, Florence
17 – 18 June
Florence holds incomparable treasures, one of which is its beloved rock festival: Firenze Rocks. Finally back on track, this year’s line-up is loud. With The Who and Tom Morello playing on June 17th and Maroon 5 and D4vd on June 18th, how can you choose only one? Rock on!
Arena Opera Festival
CLASSICALArena di Verona, Verona
16 June – 9 September
Held in one of the most prestigious Italian concert halls, the Arena di Verona is quite the spectacle in and of itself. Imagine how much better it gets with a show! This year’s summer lineup for the arena is full of great events you don’t want to miss. With a list of famous operas coming to Verona, here are some of the most anticipated ones: Aida (16 June- 8 September), Carmen (23 June – 6 September), Nabucco (15 July – 17 August) and Madama Butterfly (12 August – 7 September). With many more performing, check the complete lineup to find the opera that suits you best!
Lucca Summer Festival
ROCK / POPPiazza Napoleone & Mura Storiche, Lucca
29 June – 28 July
A festival that always leaves audiences astonished at its line-up, the Lucca Summer Festival is a great add-on to your Tuscan getaway. This year the surprises include: Bob Dylan on July 6th, Sigur Ròs on July 12th, Placebo on July 13th, Blur on July 22nd, The Chemical Brothers on July 23th, and Robbie Williams on July 28th. With plenty of other big names on Lucca’s roster, you’re definitely going to want to stop over for a night or two.
Kappa FuturFestival
ELECTRONIC / TECHNOParco Dora, Turin
30 June – 2 July
If you are looking to party for 12 hours straight, the Kappa Futur Festival is where you want to be. Back again for its 10th edition, the festival keeps on getting better each year. Specializing in electronic and techno music, the festival is a great excuse to dance the day AND night away.
On the 30th, expect to dance to Tale of Us, Black Coffee, and The Martinez Brothers – just to name a few. On the 1st, put on your dancing shoes again and head on over for shows by Carl Craig, Fatboy Slim, Peggy Gou, and Ricardo Vilalobos – again just to name a few. On the last day wait for Carl Cox, Chris Liebing, and Jamie Jones.
Umbria Jazz Festival
JAZZHistoric centre and Santa Giuliana Arena, Perugia
7 – 16 July
Started in 1973, the Umbria Jazz Festival celebrates this year the 50th edition and has become a worldwide favorite among jazz musicians and fans. Hosting concerts with italian and foreign musicians, the festival is a lively event that each summer sees many choose Perugia as their holiday destination. Although the word “jazz” in its title may have you think that is the main music genre, the festival also welcomes other types of music. This year’s headliners include: Bob Dylan on July 7th, Mika on July 10th, Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals on July 13th, and Paolo Conte on July 15th.
Ortigia Sound System
ELECTRONICOrtigia island, Siracusa
26 – 30 July
An ever-growing crowd gathers in the small island in Sicily by the name of Ortigia. An electric and contemporary music scene, the fact that “sound system” is part of the title is no surprise. Don’t miss out on a weekend filled with different stages and events.
Polifonic Festival
DISCO / ELECTRONIC / HOUSE / TECHNOParco Esposizioni Novegro & Triennale, Milan
9 – 11 June
Valle d’Itria, Puglia
27 – 30 July
If you haven’t visited southern Italy, or better yet Puglia, this is your time to go. With crystal clear beaches, exquisite local cuisine, and fantastic architecture, Puglia is a true gem. What’s more, the Polifonic Festival takes full advantage of the natural beauty, and hosts its festival on a terrace overlooking the sea. With a special focus on underground electronic music, the festival is the perfect getaway for anybody that enjoys good music and breathtaking sights. Headliners include: Nu Genea, Kerri Chandler and Marcel Dettmann. For the past few years, the festival has also stopped in Milan with a three-day festival in June hosted at the Triennale and the Parco Esposizioni Novegro.
Ypsigrock
ROCKCastle of Castelbuono, Sicily
10 – 13 August
Counting 26 editions this year, Ypsigrock is back for another round. With a picturesque setting, this festival is a well-rounded show. With stages set up around the town, and camping grounds nearby, Ypsigrock is a great chance to visit both the beautiful Sicily and enjoy a rock show. This year’s lineup presents: Slowdive, Verdena, Just Mustard, and Siksa.
Decibel Open Air
ELECTRONIC / HOUSEParco delle Cascine, Florence
08 – 10 September
Two days of open air dancing in Florence! A weekend that can close off your summer in the best of ways. This year’s lineup features: Moderat, Paul Kalkbrenner, and Salmo, just to name a few!
