Caltagirone International Jazz Festival
Signature jazz on the monumental Scala di Santa Maria del Monte
About Caltagirone Jazz Festival
Jazz meets the Scala di Caltagirone
The Caltagirone International Jazz Festival is the premier summer jazz event hosted by the Municipality of Caltagirone, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily. Each year, the festival takes over the Scala di Santa Maria del Monte, the famous 142-step staircase entirely covered in polychrome ceramic tiles, which serves as the city's emblem. During the festival, the staircase becomes a breathtaking open-air amphitheater where the audience enjoys music while seated on the stone steps in a truly unique atmosphere.
A high-quality, free-admission festival
Organized by Inside Productions, the festival features a selection of evening concerts with national and international artists, all with free admission. The format prioritizes quality over quantity: a few select evenings featuring major names in the jazz scene, ranging from vocal piano and trumpet to soul and singer-songwriter performances. Concerts typically begin at 9:00 PM, as the heat of the Sicilian day gives way to the evening breeze.
Caltagirone, the City of Ceramics
Caltagirone is one of the most fascinating towns in southeastern Sicily, world-renowned for its tradition of artistic ceramics and listed among the Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (UNESCO World Heritage). The festival celebrates this extraordinary urban setting, blending live music with the discovery of the historic center, Baroque churches, and local craftsmanship. For the organizers, the event perfectly combines artistic excellence, regional appreciation, and cultural promotion.
Recent editions
Over the years, the festival has hosted prestigious musicians: from Cuban pianist and singer-songwriter Jany McPherson to guitarist Eleonora Strino, soul vocalist Joyce Elaine Yuille, and saxophonist Stefano Di Battista. The festival has become one of the most anticipated musical events of the summer in the Caltagirone area and across Eastern Sicily.
- Location: Scala di Santa Maria del Monte, Caltagirone (CT)
- When: Between late June and early July
- Admission: Free
- Time: Evening concerts, 9:00 PM
Caltagirone Jazz Festival — edition 2026
The fifth edition of the Caltagirone International Jazz Festival will be held from June 27 to July 5, 2026, on the monumental Scala di Santa Maria del Monte, transformed for the occasion into a natural open-air amphitheater. Four evening concerts, all with free admission starting at 9:00 PM, will mark the program. The artistic direction is entrusted to Giuseppe Costantino Lentini for Inside Productions; the main partner of the event is Plenitude (Eni Group), in the spirit of combining artistic excellence with sustainability.
Programme Caltagirone Jazz Festival 2026
- June 27 — Kelly Joyce
- June 28 — Walter Ricci
- July 4 — Mario Rosini
- July 5 — Flavio Boltro
All concerts start at 9:00 PM on the Scala di Santa Maria del Monte.
Highlights Caltagirone Jazz Festival 2026
The festival opens on June 27 with Kelly Joyce and closes on July 5 with Flavio Boltro, considered one of the most iconic trumpeters on the Italian jazz scene.
Prices Caltagirone Jazz Festival 2026
Practical information — Caltagirone Jazz Festival
Getting there
Caltagirone can be reached by car via the SS417 Catania-Gela highway. The Caltagirone train station is connected to the regional Sicilian rail network; the nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa, about an hour away. The Scala di Santa Maria del Monte is located in the historic center, which is a restricted traffic zone (ZTL); it is recommended to park outside the center and continue on foot.
Admission and schedule
Admission to the concerts is free. Evenings typically begin at 9:00 PM; arriving early is recommended to secure a spot on the steps of the Scala.
Tips
Bring a cushion or a blanket to sit comfortably on the stone steps. Caltagirone offers numerous accommodations and restaurants in the historic center, perfect for combining the festival with a visit to the City of Ceramics.
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Where does it take place — Caltagirone Jazz Festival
Scala di Santa Maria del Monte
Scala di Santa Maria del Monte, 95041 Caltagirone