Garda Jazz Festival
Jazz that weaves together music, landscapes, and the identity of the Trentino Upper Garda
About Garda Jazz Festival
Jazz on the Trentino shores of Lake Garda
The Garda Jazz Festival is one of the most beloved summer music events in the Trentino Garda region, masterfully blending international jazz with the stunning beauty of the lake's surroundings. The festival spans multiple municipalities, including Nago-Torbole, Riva del Garda, Arco, Tenno, and Dro, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region). It is organized by the Smag - Scuola Musicale Alto Garda, with support from the Autonomous Region, the Autonomous Province of Trento, and the participating municipalities.
Nago-Torbole, the setting for the inaugural concert
The municipality of Nago-Torbole, a famous sailing and tourist destination on the upper lake, has hosted iconic festival events for years. The opening concert is traditionally held at the Parco della Colonia Pavese in Torbole sul Garda, a green space by the water that turns into a natural amphitheater at dusk. Events then move through the various villages of the Upper Garda, featuring diverse formats: from grand evening concerts to intimate Jazz Cafés in local bars, hotels, and wineries, as well as educational workshops and activities for families.
A journey through the languages of jazz
Every edition of the Garda Jazz Festival offers a musical journey that traverses different genres, eras, and sensibilities: from swing to jive, funk-fusion to contemporary jazz, and even afrobeat, pop, and ethnic influences. The stage hosts both established names from the Italian and international scenes and rising talents, fostering a continuous dialogue between tradition and innovation. The festival thus combines the educational mission of the Smag music school with high-level artistic programming.
An accessible and widespread festival
- Events spread across parks, castles, wineries, hotels, and squares in the Trentino Upper Garda
- Free and ticketed concerts, with free admission for those under 18 and discounts for under 27s
- Evening Jazz Cafés in local venues and hotels
- Workshops and educational sessions curated by Smag
- Events designed for families
With its unique blend of music, landscape, and local identity, the Garda Jazz Festival has become a staple of the Trentino cultural summer, attracting enthusiasts and tourists from all over Italy and abroad.
Garda Jazz Festival — edition 2026
Garda Jazz Festival 2026: "De Rerum Natura"
The 27th edition of the Garda Jazz Festival takes place from July 27 to August 9, 2026 in the Trentino Upper Garda, across Nago-Torbole, Riva del Garda, Arco, Tenno, and Dro. The chosen theme is "De Rerum Natura", celebrating music as a universal language and a space for encounter, with a journey ranging from jive to Italian swing, funk-fusion to contemporary jazz, and even afrobeat, pop, and authorial reinterpretations of the Pino Daniele repertoire.
Events in Nago-Torbole
The festival opens on Monday, July 27 at 9:00 PM at the Parco della Colonia Pavese in Torbole sul Garda with the Greg & Zooma Zooma Jive Band, a tribute to the musical world of Louis Prima featuring jive, swing, and rock and roll (in case of bad weather, the event moves to the Casa della Comunità in Nago at 9:30 PM). On Friday, August 7, the Jazz Café hosts the Beppe Zorzella Trio at the Hotel Forte Charme in Nago, with a repertoire of international standards and Italian songs.
In the rest of the Upper Garda
Key concerts of the festival include: Vincen García at the Castle of Arco (August 1), the Joey Calderazzo Trio (August 2), and Emma Smith (August 9) at the Palacongressi in Riva del Garda, and the tribute to Pino Daniele by Fabrizio Bosso and Julian Oliver Mazzariello (August 8). The program is completed by Jazz Cafés, educational workshops, and events in local wineries and venues.
Ticketed concerts are free for those under 18, with discounts for under 27s. Full program and advance tickets at gardatrentino.it.
Programme Garda Jazz Festival 2026
Highlights Garda Jazz Festival 2026
Prices Garda Jazz Festival 2026
Practical information — Garda Jazz Festival
Getting there
Nago-Torbole is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Garda. By car: A22 Brenner Motorway, exit Rovereto Sud/Lago di Garda Nord, then SS240 towards Torbole. By train: Rovereto station on the Verona-Brenner line, with bus connections to the Upper Garda. Nearest airports: Verona Villafranca and Bergamo Orio al Serio.
Tickets and information
Many concerts are free; for ticketed events, admission is free for those under 18, with discounts for under 27s. Full program, schedules, and advance tickets are available at gardatrentino.it and at the Smag - Scuola Musicale Alto Garda (Via Federico Guella 6, Riva del Garda, tel. +39 0464 556774).
Tips
For outdoor concerts, it is advisable to arrive early. In case of bad weather, some events are moved to indoor venues (such as the Casa della Comunità in Nago): always check for updates on official channels.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Garda Jazz Festival
Parco della Colonia Pavese