Three days of street art, music, and theatre in a medieval village in Lunigiana
The Fosdinovo Street Festival is one of the most vibrant cultural events of the Lunigiana summer. Every July, the medieval village of Fosdinovo, located in the province of Massa-Carrara and overlooking the Apuan plains and the Ligurian Sea, becomes a massive open-air stage. Alleys, small squares, staircases, and courtyards host street artists, musicians, actors, dancers, and creatives in an itinerant event that weaves together historical heritage and contemporary creativity.
The festival offers a multidisciplinary and free program: live concerts of various genres (jazz, pop, Latin, bossa nova, world music), theatre and dance shows, performances, body painting, and art exhibitions scattered throughout the village. The format is designed for strolling: you wander on foot through the alleys of Fosdinovo, stop in front of an improvised stage, discover an exhibition in a workshop, or listen to a concert in a small square. It is a unique way to experience the village in an unusual and festive atmosphere.
The major highlight of recent editions is the involvement of Castello Malaspina, the fortress that dominates the village. With the special "Corte delle Arti" (Court of the Arts) section, the castle's first courtyard and the charming Giardino delle Ortensie host concerts, performances, and exhibitions, enhancing the dialogue between medieval historical heritage and modern art.
Alongside the performances, the festival places great emphasis on food and wine: refreshment points spread throughout the village and the presence of Coldiretti producers allow visitors to taste zero-kilometre products from Lunigiana and Tuscany, ranging from bread and cured meats to local cheeses and wines.
The event is organized by the Università Popolare di Fosdinovo APS in collaboration with the local Pro Loco, under the artistic direction of Enzo Ascione, and is supported by the Tuscany Region, as well as local foundations and chambers of commerce. It was created to revitalize the village and offer residents and visitors an immersive experience of art, music, and culture in the heart of the Tuscan Lunigiana.
The fifth edition of the Fosdinovo Street Festival runs from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, 2026, focusing on the theme of peace. As artistic director Enzo Ascione notes, "art, music, and culture do not stop wars, but they inspire people." For the first time, the festival expands to include an additional opening day and opens the doors of Castello Malaspina.
Among this year's novelties is the "Corte delle Arti" section in the castle's first courtyard and the Giardino delle Ortensie, where music, theatre, and visual arts alternate. Refreshment points are also expanding, with the presence of Coldiretti producers for tastings of zero-kilometre products.
Among the events announced at the castle:
Throughout all three evenings, the village of Fosdinovo will be filled with scattered stages, exhibitions, and installations: concerts, theatre and dance shows, and itinerant performances through the alleys and squares. The full program, updated night by night, will be published on the festival's official Instagram and Facebook channels.
The event takes place in mid-July over three days, generally from late afternoon until late at night.
Access to all events is free. Some guided tours of Castello Malaspina may require a reservation.
Fosdinovo can be reached by car from the Carrara or Sarzana motorway exits (A12/A15) and from the train stations of Massa, Carrara-Avenza, or Sarzana, then continuing towards the hilltop village. It is advisable to arrive early to find parking, given the high attendance during the evenings.
Wear comfortable shoes: the festival is itinerant, moving through the alleys and staircases of the medieval village. Bring something warm for the evening, as temperatures drop in the hills.
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Borgo medievale di Fosdinovo e Castello Malaspina