Emilia Romagna Festival
Great international music in the historic places of Imola and Emilia-Romagna
About ERF
A widespread festival with its heart in Imola
The Emilia Romagna Festival, also known by the acronym ERF, is one of Italy's major summer music festivals. Born in Imola, in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, the festival is primarily based in the city but extends as a network of concerts to numerous locations in Emilia-Romagna, transforming villages, abbeys, castles, cloisters, and historic gardens into stages for great music every summer.
Artistically directed by flutist Massimo Mercelli, ERF attracts over 600 artists from around the world each year, featured in dozens of events ranging from classical and baroque music to jazz, tango, Celtic music, film scores, and contemporary music. The common thread, also reiterated in the 2026 edition, is the theme "Classical is contemporary": a constant dialogue between the great repertoire of the past and today's musical languages.
Imola's musical venues
In Imola, concerts take place in some of the city's most fascinating spaces: the Historic Garden of the Bishop's Palace, the Cloister of the San Domenico Museum, the Church of the Carmine, and the Ebe Stignani Theater, the city's historic venue. The choice of locations with strong architectural and historical value is an integral part of the festival's identity: music merges with the region's heritage, offering the audience an experience that is both acoustic and visual.
A broad cultural project
Supported by the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Municipality of Imola, and numerous local organizations, ERF is much more than a concert series: it is a cultural project that enhances the entire Imola district and the region, fostering dialogue between great international performers and young talents. Alongside established names, the festival consistently dedicates attention to emerging musicians, with specific series designed to give space to new generations of performers.
Who is it for
- Fans of classical, baroque, and contemporary music
- Those who love jazz, tango, and world music in exceptional settings
- Tourists and visitors who want to discover Imola and Emilia-Romagna through culture
- Families and the curious: many concerts are free admission subject to availability
ERF — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Emilia Romagna Festival celebrates the festival's 26th anniversary with a program that, under the artistic direction of Massimo Mercelli, brings together 56 concerts and over 600 artists from around the world, from July 1 to September 12, 2026, preceded by a preview on June 29. The edition's theme, "Classical is contemporary", runs through the entire program, creating a dialogue between great masterpieces and new compositions.
In Imola, concerts are held in highly charming venues such as the Historic Garden of the Bishop's Palace, the Cloister of the San Domenico Museum, the Church of the Carmine, and the Ebe Stignani Theater, while the entire festival extends to many locations in the region.
Programme ERF 2026
Preview — Monday, June 29, Historic Garden of the Bishop's Palace (Imola)
- Opening concert by harpist and composer Agatha Bocedi (born 2000), winner of major international competitions for the instrument. Opening of the mini-series dedicated to young talents.
Sunday, July 13 — Church of the Carmine (Imola)
- Polish soprano Angelika Rzewuska with Giorgio Matteoli and Mateusz Rzewuski. Concert dedicated to the memory of Don Ignazio Spadoni.
Friday, July 17 — Cloister of the San Domenico Museum (Imola)
- Riccardo Zamuner and the Quintet of I Virtuosi della Cappella di San Severo perform Vivaldi's "Four Seasons", in dialogue with an exhibition dedicated to Wolfango.
Sunday, July 26 — Park of the Montecatone Institute (Imola)
- "Trame Sonore", a concert dedicated to film scores.
Monday, July 27 — Historic Garden of the Bishop's Palace (Imola)
- Irene Marzadori, cello.
Friday, July 31 — Cloister of the San Domenico Museum (Imola)
- Katarina String Quartet.
Friday, August 28 — Historic Garden of the Bishop's Palace (Imola)
- Marco Gerolin, accordion.
Saturday, September 12 — Ebe Stignani Theater (Imola), closing concert
- "Bach Dance Concert – Indoor", a new production featuring the music of Johann Sebastian Bach performed on piano by Ramin Bahrami and choreographic research by the Zappalà Dance Company (choreography by Roberto Zappalà).
The complete program for the edition includes 56 concerts spread across multiple provinces of Emilia-Romagna; in addition to the Imola dates listed here, numerous events will take place in abbeys, castles, cloisters, and gardens throughout the region. For times and details of each individual concert, please refer to the official website.
Highlights ERF 2026
Prices ERF 2026
Practical information — ERF
Where
Imola (Metropolitan City of Bologna), with concerts spread across numerous locations in Emilia-Romagna. The main venues in Imola are the Ebe Stignani Theater, the Cloister of the San Domenico Museum, the Church of the Carmine, and the Historic Garden of the Bishop's Palace.
How to get there
Imola is easily accessible by train (Imola station, on the Bologna–Rimini line) and by car via the A14 motorway (Imola exit). It is about 35 km from Bologna.
Tickets
Many concerts are free admission subject to availability; some events require a ticket or reservation. For the updated program, venues, times, and access procedures, consult the festival's official website.
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Where does it take place — ERF
Teatro Ebe Stignani, Chiostro del Museo di San Domenico, Chiesa del Carmine, Giardino Storico di Palazzo Vescovile