La Notte della Tarantella – Folk Music Happening
A night of tarantellas, tambourine rhythms, and traditional Sicilian songs in Messina
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About La Notte della Tarantella
La Notte della Tarantella in Messina
La Notte della Tarantella is a folk music happening held every summer in Messina, Sicily, transforming one of the city's major green spaces into an arena of traditional island sounds, dances, and songs. The event is organized by the cultural association I Cariddi g.s.c.d., based in Messina, and is dedicated to rediscovering and promoting traditional Sicilian music and its fusion with other musical styles.
A journey through tarantellas and tambourines
The audience is taken on a journey through a night of fast-paced, driving rhythms: tarantellas, tambourine performances, dances, and traditional songs performed with innovative arrangements that balance progressive folk with archaic sounds. On stage, groups and musicians take turns telling the story and soul of their land through music. The various editions have featured prominent Sicilian folk ensembles and frame drum artists, heirs to the ethnomusicological research of Southern Italy.
The roots of the event
Born in 2023 at Villa Dante, the happening has grown with each edition, alternating between Villa Dante and the Giardino Corallo arena, two iconic venues of the Messina summer. The festival is sponsored by F.I.T.P. (Italian Federation of Popular Traditions) and the International Folklore Union (IGF), confirming its deep roots in the traditional folklore scene.
Part of the Messina summer
La Notte della Tarantella is part of the extensive summer program of the Municipality of Messina (the "E-state Messina" festival), which brings music, culture, traditions, and shows to the squares and most evocative spots of the metropolitan city. Admission to the evening is usually free, making the event an accessible occasion for families, folk music enthusiasts, and tourists looking to discover the cultural identity of Sicily.
- Municipality: Messina
- Region: Sicily
- Genre: Folk music and traditional Sicilian culture
- Organization: Associazione I Cariddi g.s.c.d.
- Period: August
La Notte della Tarantella — edition 2026
La Notte della Tarantella, a Sicilian folk music happening organized by the I Cariddi association, is expected to return to Messina in the summer of 2026 as part of the city's summer program. At the moment, the dates and program for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced. The evening, as in previous editions, will feature tarantellas, tambourine performances, dances, and traditional songs with arrangements blending folk and archaic sounds. Information will be updated as soon as it is made public.
Practical information — La Notte della Tarantella
Where it takes place
La Notte della Tarantella is held in Messina, typically at Villa Dante or the Giardino Corallo arena, two open-air spaces easily accessible in the city center.
How to get there
By train: Messina Centrale station is well-connected to Catania, Palermo, and, via ferry, to Calabria. By car: A20 motorway (Messina–Palermo) and A18 (Messina–Catania), take the exits for the city center. By plane: The nearest airports are Catania Fontanarossa and Reggio Calabria.
Admission
Admission is generally free. It is recommended to arrive early to secure a seat in the arena.
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Where does it take place — La Notte della Tarantella
Villa Dante