A Park of Music and Other Stories
The summer festival of music, theatre, and dance at the Medici Park of Pratolino, a UNESCO World Heritage site
About A Park of Music
A festival in the heart of the Medici park
Every summer, the Medici Park of Pratolino, in the municipality of Vaglia (Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany), transforms into a grand open-air stage. "A Park of Music and Other Stories" is the festival that, now in its fifth edition in 2026, brings every summer weekend to life with music, theatre, dance, performances, and readings. The event is promoted by the Metropolitan City of Florence and the Municipality of Vaglia, coordinated by Music Pool, and integrates with the Musart festival program.
A unique setting: the Pratolino Park, a UNESCO site
The Pratolino park is one of the most famous Medici gardens, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site along with the Medici Villas and Gardens of Tuscany. The stage is set in a panoramic position in front of the monumental Colossus of the Apennines by Giambologna, the symbol of the complex and one of the most extraordinary sculptures of European Mannerism. Attending a concert at sunset, with the Colossus as a backdrop, is an experience that blends art, nature, and history—what makes this festival stand out from any city program.
A rich and multidisciplinary lineup
The 2026 edition continues to grow: 35 events, 19 cultural organizations involved, and over 300 artists. The program ranges from classical music to jazz, gospel to singer-songwriter performances, folk music to independent productions, as well as narrative theatre and contemporary dance. Past editions have featured the Orchestra della Toscana, the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina, the Fiesole School of Music, the Florence Dance Festival, and Pupi di Stac, alongside nationally and internationally renowned names.
- Classical and chamber music concerts
- Jazz and gospel evenings
- Contemporary dance performances
- Narrative and puppet theatre
- Readings, talks, and performances
More than just shows: experiencing the park
Throughout the event, the Pro Loco of Vaglia organizes free guided tours to discover the beauty of the park. After the shows, you can stop by the Locanda del Parco for an aperitif or dinner, with a special promotion for festival attendees (Mugello tortelli and a glass of wine for 12 euros). It is the perfect way to turn your evening into a true Mugello experience, just a few kilometers from the center of Florence.
An event for everyone
Thanks to free admission and a program designed for diverse audiences, "A Park of Music and Other Stories" has become one of the most beloved events of the Florentine summer. Families, music enthusiasts, nature lovers, and tourists alike find high-quality cultural offerings in an incomparable setting.
A Park of Music — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of "A Park of Music and Other Stories" marks five years of the festival at the Medici Park of Pratolino. From June 2 to September 27, every weekend, the UNESCO-listed park hosts concerts, theatre and dance performances, and readings, with a stage set before Giambologna’s Colossus of the Apennines.
The 2026 program features 35 events created by 19 local cultural organizations from Florence and Tuscany, involving over 300 artists. Alongside great classical and chamber music, there is space for jazz, gospel, singer-songwriter music, folk, contemporary dance, and narrative theatre. The festival integrates with the Musart festival program.
Programme A Park of Music 2026
June 2 – Inauguration, Republic Day (free admission)
- 10:30 AM — Performance by the Filarmonica Giuseppe Verdi di Signa
- 11:30 AM — Aldo Cazzullo, "From Dante and Francesco to June 2: the birth of a nation"
- 3:30 PM — "The only right thing: Women, Resistance, Resistances" with Letizia Fuochi, Frank Cusumano, and La Nottola di Minerva
- 5:00 PM — Dario Cecchini with "Soul Check" (Valentina Bartoli, Matteo Cecchini, Marco Galiero)
Other announced events
- June 13 — Orchestra della Toscana
- July 18 — Black & Blue, gospel evening with Mauro Grossi
The 2026 lineup also includes names such as Peppe Servillo, Javier Girotto, and Ed Harcourt, alongside organizations like the Fiesole School of Music, the Florence Dance Festival, the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina, and Pupi di Stac. Shows start at 6:30 PM (6:00 PM from late August). The full program is published on unparcodimusica.it.
Highlights A Park of Music 2026
Prices A Park of Music 2026
Practical information — A Park of Music
Location
Medici Park of Pratolino, Via Fiorentina 276, Pratolino, Municipality of Vaglia (FI), Tuscany.
How to get there
By car: from the Firenze Nord exit of the A1 motorway, follow signs for Bologna along the SS65 della Futa (approx. 12 km from Florence). By bus: suburban lines from Florence towards Mugello with a stop in Pratolino.
Hours
Shows start at 6:30 PM (6:00 PM from late August), on weekends from June to September.
Admission and reservations
Free admission to all shows. Information and reservations: [email protected]. Full program at unparcodimusica.it. For the Locanda del Parco: 333 5438336.
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Where does it take place — A Park of Music
Parco Mediceo di Pratolino
Via Fiorentina 276, Pratolino, 50036 Vaglia