BolsenArte Festival
Music under the stars on Lake Bolsena, in the heart of the Tuscia Viterbese region
About BolsenArte
A festival spread across Lake Bolsena
The BolsenArte Festival is the premier musical event in Bolsena, a town in the province of Viterbo overlooking the volcanic lake of the same name—the largest in the Lazio region and one of the most expansive in Europe. Promoted by the Bolsena Municipal Department of Culture and curated by artistic director Francesco Traversi, the festival has established itself over the past two decades as one of the most significant cultural fixtures in the Tuscia Viterbese area.
The hallmark of the event is the constant dialogue between music and the territory: the village's historic squares, the lakeside promenade, the courtyard of the Rocca Monaldeschi della Cervara, and the majestic Basilica of Santa Cristina are transformed into open-air stages, where performance, architecture, and landscape merge into a unique artistic experience.
The 2026 20th Anniversary
The 2026 edition celebrates the festival's 20th anniversary with a lineup of eleven free concerts scheduled from July 25th to August 12th. The program explores diverse genres with great freedom: from opera to jazz, from symphonic rock to contemporary music, and even cinematic soundtracks performed live by major orchestras.
- Opera and Symphonic: from the opening semi-staged opera to grand symphonic orchestras.
- Jazz: piano recitals and quartets dedicated to the great African-American tradition.
- Symphonic Rock and Progressive: tributes to rock masters reimagined through an orchestral lens.
- Sacred Music: candlelight organ concerts and choral ensembles within the Basilica of Santa Cristina.
Music and the Territory
The festival is more than just a series of concerts; it is a project that has successfully turned Lake Bolsena into a meeting point for music, landscape, and community. Some events venture beyond the town limits to reach nearby villages like Civita di Bagnoregio, the famous "dying city," as part of a broader effort to spread culture throughout the Tuscia region.
A Dual Season: Summer and Winter
Alongside the historic summer edition, BolsenArte has expanded its offerings in recent years with the BolsenArte Winter Music Festival, a season that runs from November to February in the village's indoor venues, such as the Piccolo Teatro Cavour and the Teatro San Francesco. The winter series also maintains the free-admission format, offering concerts, theater, and themed performances, confirming the festival's commitment to providing cultural programming year-round.
An Experience of Music and Landscape
Attending a BolsenArte Festival concert means experiencing the charm of Bolsena on summer evenings: the medieval historic center, the lake waters reflecting the sunset, and live music resonating through the squares. It is a free event open to everyone, perfect for those visiting the Tuscia region who wish to combine heritage discovery, local gastronomy, and great music.
BolsenArte — edition 2026
The 20th Anniversary of the BolsenArte Festival
To celebrate twenty years, the twentieth summer edition offers eleven free concerts from July 25 to August 12, 2026, distributed among the village's historic squares, the lakeside promenade, the courtyard of the Rocca Monaldeschi, and the Basilica of Santa Cristina. The artistic direction is entrusted to maestro Francesco Traversi, with the support of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Orvieto and the collaboration of Pro Loco Bolsena and Europa Musica.
The program spans opera, jazz, symphonic rock, sacred music, and cinematic soundtracks, confirming the festival's multidisciplinary vocation and its connection to the lake landscape.
Programme BolsenArte 2026
2026 Program
- July 25 - Piazza dell'Orologio: Opening with Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'amore" in a semi-staged version (Prima d'Opera).
- July 27 - Piazza San Rocco: Contemporary jazz with the ButNot4Trane quartet.
- July 29 - Piazza della Rocca: KHOROS, double saxophone quartet (music by Vivaldi, Richter, Piazzolla).
- July 31 - Lakeside: Jazz piano recital with Danilo Rea.
- August 2 - Rocca Monaldeschi Courtyard: "Organ under the stars", a candlelight organ concert with the organist of the Orvieto Cathedral.
- August 5 - Piazza Dante Alighieri: Symphonic-rock tribute to Frank Zappa with I Virtuosi dal Pianeta Talento.
- August 6 - Civita di Bagnoregio: Special territorial outreach event.
- August 7 - Basilica of Santa Cristina: Symphonic concert by the Macao Youth Symphony Orchestra.
- August 8 - Piazza dell'Orologio: Progressive rock and electronics with I'm Blue Myself.
- August 9 - Lakeside: "Pink Floyd Symphony", a show with orchestra and video projections.
- August 12 - Piazza Santa Cristina: Grand finale with the Orchestra Sinfonica delle Cento Città dedicated to cinematic soundtracks.
Highlights BolsenArte 2026
- Festival 20th anniversary: eleven free concerts in nineteen days.
- Jazz piano recital by Danilo Rea on the lakeside.
- Candlelight organ concert in the Rocca Monaldeschi courtyard.
- "Pink Floyd Symphony" with orchestra and video projections on the lake.
- Grand finale with the Orchestra Sinfonica delle Cento Città featuring film soundtracks.
Prices BolsenArte 2026
Practical information — BolsenArte
Getting There
Bolsena is located on the Via Cassia (SS2), between Viterbo and Orvieto. By car: take the Orvieto exit on the A1 Autostrada del Sole, then follow the SS71 and SS2 for approximately 20 km. By train: the nearest station is Orvieto (on the Rome-Florence line), which is connected to Bolsena by local bus services. The nearest airports are Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino.
Tickets
All festival concerts are free of charge until capacity is reached. It is recommended to arrive early, especially for events held in the Basilica of Santa Cristina and the courtyard of the Rocca Monaldeschi.
Useful Tips
Evening concerts are held outdoors; summer nights by the lake can be cool, so a light jacket is recommended. Bolsena offers numerous accommodations, farm stays, and restaurants where you can enjoy lake fish, a local specialty. Do not miss a visit to the Basilica of Santa Cristina, linked to the famous Eucharistic Miracle of 1263.
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Where does it take place — BolsenArte
Piazze storiche, Lungolago e Basilica di Santa Cristina