Festival Contro
The festival of socially conscious music in the heart of the Asti Langhe
About Festival Contro
A historic festival in the Asti hills
Festival Contro is one of the longest-running and most beloved musical events in Piedmont. It takes place every year in late August in Castagnole delle Lanze, a small town in the Province of Asti nestled between the hills of Roero and Monferrato, in the heart of the Langhe. Born as a "festival of socially conscious song," it has expanded over the years to become a popular hub for music, comedy, culture, and culinary traditions, attracting audiences from all over Piedmont and beyond.
Socially conscious music and great guests
The heart of the festival is the stage in Piazza San Bartolomeo, which has hosted top-tier Italian artists over the years, ranging from singer-songwriters to pop, folk, and entertainment acts. The program alternates between concerts, comedy shows, themed nights (such as the famous Occitan Night or 90s revivals), and DJ sets, with a constant focus on the social and civil themes that give the festival its name.
The bond with Nomadi
The signature event is the final concert by Nomadi, who have been returning to Castagnole delle Lanze for over forty years. Their summer appearance has become a fixed gathering for Italian fan clubs, turning the Asti town into a place of memory linked to unforgettable figures like Augusto Daolio and Dante Pergreffi. The Nomadi concert traditionally closes the week of festivities with great public participation.
Popular festival and Hazelnut Fair
Festival Contro intertwines with local traditions: during the same period, Castagnole delle Lanze celebrates the Hazelnut Fair, the premier product of the Langhe, and the evenings are accompanied by food stalls, street food, and local specialties. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Piedmontese food and wine, between a concert and a glass of Barbera.
Why it's worth it
- Concerts often with free admission in the square
- Unique mix of big names and emerging artists
- Authentic village atmosphere in the Asti hills
- Typical Langhe gastronomy and the Hazelnut Fair
- The ritual of the final Nomadi concert
Festival Contro — edition 2026
For 2026, Festival Contro will once again bring life to Castagnole delle Lanze (Province of Asti) with a week of music, comedy, and the culinary traditions of the Langhe. The edition will conclude as tradition dictates with the Nomadi concert, already confirmed on the group's official calendar.
The detailed day-by-day program, including all artists and themed evenings, will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event via the festival's official channels.
Programme Festival Contro 2026
The complete program for the 2026 edition will be officially announced by the organizers in the weeks preceding the event.
Confirmed event
- Saturday, August 29, 2026 — Nomadi concert in Piazza San Bartolomeo (from 6:30 PM), traditional grand finale and fan club gathering.
As every year, the festival will feature concerts, comedy shows, themed nights, and food stalls during the last week of August. The names of other guests will be announced on the official Festival Contro social media channels.
Highlights Festival Contro 2026
Prices Festival Contro 2026
Practical information — Festival Contro
How to get there
Castagnole delle Lanze is located in the Province of Asti, along the Asti-Alba railway line (station in town). By car, take the A33 Asti-Cuneo motorway exit or the A21, continuing on provincial roads towards the Langhe.
Tickets
Many evenings of Festival Contro offer free admission in Piazza San Bartolomeo; for the main concerts (such as Nomadi), tickets are usually available online at ticketone.it and at the on-site box office. Please check the official channels for each event.
Where and when
The main event is held in Piazza San Bartolomeo, in the center of Castagnole delle Lanze, during the last week of August.
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Where does it take place — Festival Contro
Piazza San Bartolomeo
Piazza San Bartolomeo, 14054 Castagnole delle Lanze