Estate Fiesolana
Music, theatre, dance, and cinema under the stars at the Roman Theatre of Fiesole
About Estate Fiesolana
Tuscany's longest-running festival
As dusk falls over the hills separating Fiesole from Florence, the Roman Theatre—an amphitheatre carved in the 1st century BC with a capacity of nearly 3,000—becomes the beating heart of Estate Fiesolana. Founded in 1948, it is the oldest multidisciplinary festival in Tuscany and one of the region's most beloved summer events: the 2025 edition welcomed over 28,770 spectators across 61 evenings.
A programme that weaves all the arts together
The identity of Estate Fiesolana lies in its versatility. From June to September, the stage hosts pop, singer-songwriter, and jazz concerts, theatrical and dance performances, high-profile cultural encounters, and a refined open-air cinema series. It is not a thematic festival, but a diverse programme designed to accompany the entire summer season in the Municipality of Fiesole, within the Metropolitan City of Florence.
- Music: Italian singer-songwriters, jazz, and world music in a theatre with unique acoustics
- Theatre and Drama: Classical tragedy, civic storytelling, and author talks
- Dance: Italian and international companies
- Cinema under the stars: The August film series curated by the Fondazione Stensen
The Roman Theatre, an unparalleled setting
The strength of Estate Fiesolana also lies in its venue. The ancient tiers, the stage overlooking the Tuscan landscape, and the starry sky create an atmosphere few places in the world can offer. Attending a concert or performance in this amphitheatre means experiencing contemporary art immersed in over two thousand years of history, just minutes from Florence.
Festival traditions
Two key events mark every edition: the Premio Fiesole ai Maestri del Cinema, a historic award presented to great international filmmakers, and the open-air cinema series in August, which turns the Roman Theatre into a giant screen under the stars. The season traditionally opens with the Festa della Musica by the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, a free, community-focused event that kicks off the summer.
Organised since 2017 by PRG S.r.l. and the Associazione Music Pool in partnership with the Fiesole municipal administration, Estate Fiesolana is now a landmark for the Florentine public and visitors to Tuscany seeking high-quality culture on warm summer nights.
Estate Fiesolana — edition 2026
The 79th edition of Estate Fiesolana takes place from June 8th to September 12th, 2026, at the Roman Theatre of Fiesole, with the official inauguration on June 21st. The programme weaves together singer-songwriter and pop music, jazz and world music, drama, classical tragedy, dance, and encounters with cultural figures, alongside the traditional open-air cinema series curated by the Fondazione Stensen. Highlights of the year include the Premio Fiesole ai Maestri del Cinema and the customary cinema under the stars in the heart of summer.
Programme Estate Fiesolana 2026
Inauguration and school days
- June 8 — Preview with the student choral project CoroInsieme
- June 9-10 — Kairos, school theatre festival (5th edition)
- June 21 — Festa della Musica by the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole (official inauguration, free admission with reservation)
Author talks and drama
- June 16 — Corrado Augias
- June 19 — Francesca Mannocchi with Rodrigo D'Erasmo
- June 23 — The Persians by Aeschylus
- July 20 — Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus
- July 22 — The Labours of Hercules by Alessandro Riccio
- July 13 — Massimo Gramellini
- July 16 — Daniela Lucangeli
Music, jazz, and world music
- June 26 — Cristiano De André
- June 30 — Fatoumata Diawara
- July 3 — Raphael Gualazzi
- July 8 — Irene Grandi
- July 14 — Yellowjackets
- July 26 — Joan Thiele
- July 29 — Xavier Rudd
Dance
- June 17 — Motus Company
- July 7 — Lyric Dance Company
- August 3 — Balletto di Milano
Premio Fiesole ai Maestri del Cinema
July 12 — Award ceremony for the Premio Fiesole ai Maestri del Cinema, dedicated to a great international filmmaker.
Cinema under the stars
From August 7th to 23rd, the Roman Theatre transforms into a large open-air screen with the series curated by the Fondazione Stensen, dedicated to great Italian cinema hits.
September finale
- September 6 — Osvaldo Poli
- September 8 — Ensemble Symphony Orchestra conducted by Giacomo Loprieno, tribute to Ennio Morricone
- September 9 — Massimo Recalcati
- September 11 — Voglio vederti danzare, tribute to Franco Battiato
The full calendar is updated on the official website and through pre-sale circuits.
Highlights Estate Fiesolana 2026
Prices Estate Fiesolana 2026
Practical information — Estate Fiesolana
Getting there
The Roman Theatre is located at Largo Fernando Farulli 1, in the historic centre of Fiesole. From Florence, it can be reached in about 25 minutes via the ATAF line 7 bus, which departs from the Santa Maria Novella station and arrives at Piazza Mirenda, just a short walk from the entrance. By car, follow the SP54 from Florence; parking in the centre of Fiesole is limited, so arriving early is recommended.
Opening hours
Most performances begin at 9:15 PM, with the theatre opening at 8:00 PM.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the theatre box office, through the Boxoffice Toscana circuit, and online via TicketOne. Discounts are available for UNICOOP members, Fiesole residents, students under 25, and people with disabilities.
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Where does it take place — Estate Fiesolana
Teatro Romano di Fiesole
Largo Fernando Farulli 1, 50014 Fiesole