Etnica – Mugello Global Groove
World music under the Mugello sky, in Vicchio
About Etnica
Etnica, the Mugello world music festival
Etnica is one of Tuscany's most enduring and iconic musical events. Born and raised in Vicchio, in the heart of the Mugello area near Florence, it celebrates its 28th edition in 2026 under the name Mugello Global Groove. Promoted by the Jazz Club of Vicchio in collaboration with Music Pool and supported by local municipalities, the festival has been bringing world-class music to the squares, courtyards, and alleys of this territory—the birthplace of Giotto—for nearly three decades.
The philosophy behind Etnica is simple yet powerful: using music as a bridge between distant cultures. For four days, Vicchio becomes a crossroads of sounds from Africa, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and Latin America, fostering a continuous dialogue between major international stars and emerging talents.
Piazza Giotto, the heart of the festival
The nerve center of the event is Piazza Giotto, in the historic center of Vicchio, where headline artists perform every evening on the main stage. Surrounding the square, other venues expand the experience: the Corte Santoni Guidi, dedicated to photography exhibitions, conferences, meetings, and workshops, and Vicolo de' Medici, which hosts more intimate concerts and acoustic moments. The festival is not just live music, but a multidisciplinary program featuring exhibitions, theater, performances, DJ sets, an ethnic market, and street food from around the world.
A festival spread across the Mugello
While Vicchio remains its headquarters and beating heart, the 2026 edition reaffirms Etnica's vocation as a widespread festival spanning the entire Mugello district. In addition to the main days in Piazza Giotto, the program includes a preview in Borgo San Lorenzo, a stop in Barberino di Mugello, and the closing party in San Godenzo, involving the entire territory of the Metropolitan City of Florence, in Tuscany.
Why it's worth it
Etnica proves that a small town in the Tuscan Apennines can host one of Italy's most interesting world music events. The winning formula combines top-tier concerts—often free or very affordably priced—with the authentic beauty of the Mugello: rolling hills, charming villages, excellent cuisine, and warm local hospitality. For those seeking a different kind of summer, far from the most predictable tourist destinations, the Vicchio event is one of the most genuine and engaging cultural experiences in Tuscany.
Etnica — edition 2026
Etnica 2026, the 28th edition in Vicchio
The 2026 edition of Etnica – Mugello Global Groove brings four evenings of international-level world music to Vicchio, from June 18th to 21st in Piazza Giotto. Organized by the Jazz Club of Vicchio with Music Pool, the festival blends big names with new discoveries, accompanying the concerts with exhibitions, an ethnic market, global street food, DJ sets, theater, and meetings in the widespread venues of Corte Santoni Guidi and Vicolo de' Medici.
The event kicks off with a preview on June 11th in Borgo San Lorenzo and continues, after the Vicchio dates, with connected stops in Barberino di Mugello (June 20th) and the final party in San Godenzo (June 27th), confirming its nature as a widespread festival in the Mugello region.
Programme Etnica 2026
Preview — Thursday, June 11, Borgo San Lorenzo
- Concert by Baro Drom Orkestar (Balkan and Mediterranean world music) at the Foro Boario.
Thursday, June 18 — Vicchio, Piazza Giotto
- Opening night with Roy Paci & Aretuska, brass band and Mediterranean dancefloor.
Friday, June 19 — Vicchio, Piazza Giotto
- Great afrobeat with Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, son and heir of Fela Kuti.
Saturday, June 20 — Vicchio, Piazza Giotto
- Shantel & Bucovina Club Soundsystem, blending balkan pop, global bass, and electronica.
- Connected stop in Barberino di Mugello with Amorklab.
Sunday, June 21 — Vicchio, Piazza Giotto
- Grand finale with Nomadi, the historic Italian rock band.
Closing Party — Saturday, June 27, San Godenzo
- Widespread closing event with SuRealistas.
Widespread venues in Vicchio
- Corte Santoni Guidi: photography exhibitions, conferences, meetings, and workshops (including a rap lab).
- Vicolo de' Medici: intimate concerts and acoustic moments.
- Throughout the festival: ethnic market, global street food, and DJ sets.
Highlights Etnica 2026
Prices Etnica 2026
Practical information — Etnica
When and where
From June 18th to 21st, 2026, in Vicchio (Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany), with the main hub in Piazza Giotto and additional venues at Corte Santoni Guidi and Vicolo de' Medici. Preview on June 11th in Borgo San Lorenzo, with connected stops in Barberino di Mugello (June 20th) and San Godenzo (June 27th).
Tickets
Many activities (exhibitions, market, street food, meetings) are free to attend. For the main concerts, a 4-day pass is available for €20; advance tickets can be purchased at eventimusicpool.it and boxol.it, as well as at the Vicchio Pro Loco office.
Getting there
By car: take the Barberino di Mugello exit on the A1 motorway, then follow the SP551 towards Vicchio. By train: the Vicchio station is served by the Faentina line connecting Florence to Faenza; the town center is within walking distance from the station.
Contact
[email protected] — Jazz Club of Vicchio +39 345 3098116 — Pro Loco Vicchio +39 324 9070857.
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Where does it take place — Etnica
Piazza Giotto
Piazza Giotto, 50039 Vicchio