Ascoli Piceno Festival
The great international concert season of the Piceno
About APF
Thirty years of great music in Ascoli Piceno
Founded in 1996 on the initiative of cellist Michael Flaksman, the Ascoli Piceno Festival (APF) has become over three decades one of the most important concert institutions in central Italy. Recognized as an entity of primary regional interest, it annually attracts some of the greatest performers on the international scene to the capital of the Piceno, transforming the Emidio Neroni Auditorium into the beating heart of the city's musical life.
The thirtieth anniversary in 2026
The 2026 edition is a symbolic milestone: thirty years of activity, repertoire, and distinguished guests that have made Ascoli Piceno a benchmark for concert production in the Marche region. To celebrate the anniversary, the Ascolipicenofestival Association has enriched the calendar with special events spread throughout the year, from spring to autumn.
Among the celebratory events are the inauguration of the thirtieth anniversary (March 1st, with the Ensemble Devienne featuring bassoon and strings), the APF Day on April 19th with a documentary exhibition, tastings, and videos of historical concerts, and the charity concert on May 24th at the Neroni Auditorium in aid of IOM, the association that assists cancer patients in the area.
A season designed for the city
Since 2024, the Festival has renewed its format by moving the main calendar from September to the autumn period, between October and November, to make the concerts more accessible to citizens and especially students. The season traditionally takes place on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons, with a programme that alternates great masterpieces of the repertoire, first performances, and tributes to the Italian instrumental school.
Ascoli Piceno, city of music
Part of the rich cultural landscape of the Municipality of Ascoli Piceno and the Province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region, the APF engages with other musical realities in the area and contributes to making the historic city centre—with its theatres, churches, and auditoriums—one of the most vibrant cultural hubs in the region. For lovers of classical music, the 2026 thirtieth anniversary represents an unmissable opportunity to discover an international-level series in one of Italy's most beautiful art cities.
APF — edition 2026
2026 Edition — Thirtieth Anniversary
For its thirtieth anniversary, the Ascoli Piceno Festival presents an edition spread throughout the year. After the inauguration on March 1st and the celebratory events in spring, the heart of the festival remains the autumn concert season: eighteen events at the Emidio Neroni Auditorium, on Thursdays at 8:30 PM and Sundays at 6:00 PM, featuring internationally renowned soloists and orchestras.
Programme APF 2026
Thirtieth Anniversary Events — Spring
- March 1st — Thirtieth Anniversary Inauguration, Bottega del Terzo Settore, 6:00 PM: Ensemble Devienne (bassoon and strings). Free admission.
- April 19th — APF Day, Bottega del Terzo Settore (10:00 AM-12:30 PM and 4:00 PM-8:00 PM): documentary exhibition on the thirty years of the Festival, tastings, and videos of historical concerts.
- May 24th — Charity concert, E. Neroni Auditorium, 6:00 PM, in aid of IOM. Featuring music by Loreto Gismondi, Giuliano De Angelis, and Elvina Gurra. Free contribution.
Autumn Concert Season
Eighteen events at the Emidio Neroni Auditorium between October and November 2026 (Thursdays 8:30 PM, Sundays 6:00 PM). Among the announced concerts:
- Antonio Vivaldi's famous Four Seasons with soloist Riccardo Zamuner, accompanied by the Benedetto Marcello Orchestra — opening of the cycle dedicated to Italian instrumental music.
- October 27th — Violin solo recital dedicated to Niccolò Paganini's virtuosity, with Clarissa Bevilaqua.
- World premieres of compositions for cellos and orchestra by Rossella Spinosa and Paolo Fradiani, with soloists Denis Shapovalov (winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition) and Giuliano De Angelis.
The complete detailed programme and further soloists are published on the Festival's official website.
Highlights APF 2026
Prices APF 2026
Practical information — APF
Where
The autumn season concerts are held at the Emidio Neroni Auditorium, in the centre of Ascoli Piceno (63100), in the province of Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region. Some special events take place in other city venues such as the Bottega del Terzo Settore.
How to get there
By car: Ascoli Piceno exit from the A14 (Ascoli-Mare link road) and then the Salaria dual carriageway. By train: Ascoli Piceno station, connected to the Adriatic line. The historic centre is easily reachable on foot from the main car parks.
Tickets
Full price ticket €13, reduced price for members €10, students €5, season pass €100. Some celebratory and charity events are free admission or by donation. Info and reservations: [email protected], tel. +39 347 145 5858.
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Where does it take place — APF
Auditorium Emidio Neroni
Via del Trivio, 63100 Ascoli Piceno