Lavis Workers' Day Festival (May 1st)
The great Trentino labour festival, featuring live music and a tribute to the Tambosi spinning mill workers
About May 1st in Lavis
The Trentino capital of May 1st
Every year on May 1st, the town of Lavis, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), transforms into the heart of the Workers' Day celebrations for the entire Trentino region. The event takes place in the Urban Park Amphitheatre and is organized by CGIL, CISL, and UIL with the support of the local municipality. This is no standard institutional event; it is a genuine community festival, free and open to all, alternating between speeches, reflections on the world of work, and plenty of live music from morning until night.
A memory from the past
Lavis is the historic home of the Trentino May 1st celebrations because it was here, in 1890, that the workers of the Tambosi spinning mill went on strike for an entire week to demand shorter working hours. It was one of the first documented organized strikes in the Italian Tyrol: the workers picketed the factory gates and responded with songs whenever the siren tried to call them back to work. Celebrating May 1st in Lavis means paying tribute to that chapter of history and the roots of the labour movement in Trentino.
How the day unfolds
The programme opens in the late morning with institutional greetings from the general secretaries of CGIL, CISL, and UIL, followed by a performance by the Coro Bella Ciao. From the early afternoon, the musical heart of the festival begins: the Arena Live stage hosts numerous bands from the Trentino scene, leading up to the grand evening concert featuring national and international guests, often specializing in ska, reggae, rocksteady, and soul.
Music, food, and family spaces
The festival is designed for all ages. Surrounding the amphitheatre are various food and drink areas, accompanied by acoustic duos during meal times, and a large area dedicated to children with workshops, face painting, balloon modelling, and inflatables. It is a perfect opportunity for families to spend a day outdoors in the green park, combining the civic value of the occasion with the pleasure of a great popular celebration.
Why attend
- Free admission and family-friendly environment
- Rich programme of concerts and live music from morning to night
- Historical commemoration of the 1890 spinning mill strike
- Food areas featuring local products and specialities
- Workshops and entertainment for children in the Urban Park
A staple of the Trentino calendar that draws families, young people, and workers from across the province to Lavis every May 1st.
May 1st in Lavis — edition 2026
May 1st 2026 in Lavis: Dignified Work
The theme chosen for the 2026 edition was dignified work, with a focus on young people and women, workplace safety, and the fight against precarious employment. The day opened at 11:00 am with institutional greetings and a performance by the Coro Bella Ciao, in the presence of the Mayor of Lavis and union secretaries.
From 2:00 pm, eight local musical groups took turns on the Arena Live stage, including B-ing Band, Rusty Bucks, Moody, Garage Tequila, The Pervitins, and Numb. The grand finale at 9:15 pm featured The Magnetics, an internationally renowned band for ska, rocksteady, soul, and reggae, with special guest Dr. Ring Ding. New this year: three food areas and a doubled space for children with workshops by the Trampolieri dell'Arcobaleno, face painting, balloons, and inflatables.
Programme May 1st in Lavis 2026
- 11:00 am — Institutional greetings and Coro Bella Ciao
- 2:00 pm - 8:15 pm — Arena Live with eight musical groups (B-ing Band, Rusty Bucks, Moody, Garage Tequila, The Pervitins, Numb...)
- 9:15 pm — Grand finale: The Magnetics with guest Dr. Ring Ding
- Food areas with acoustic duos and children's area with workshops, face painting, and inflatables
Highlights May 1st in Lavis 2026
Prices May 1st in Lavis 2026
Practical information — May 1st in Lavis
Location
Urban Park Amphitheatre of Lavis, Via dei Colli, 38015 Lavis (TN), Trentino-Alto Adige.
How to get there
Lavis is located a few kilometres north of Trento. By car: take the A22 Brenner motorway exit at San Michele all'Adige/Mezzocorona or Trento Nord, then follow the SS12. By train/bus: frequent connections with Trento, which is also served by the Trento-Malè railway.
Admission and hours
Free admission. The event takes place throughout the day on May 1st, from morning until late at night.
Tips
Outdoor event: comfortable clothing is recommended. Food areas and spaces dedicated to children are available.
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Where does it take place — May 1st in Lavis
Anfiteatro del Parco Urbano di Lavis
Via dei Colli, 38015 Lavis