Locomotive Jazz Festival
Salento jazz from sunset to dawn, across historic villages, archaeological sites, and the beaches of San Cataldo
About Locomotive Jazz Festival
Jazz that tells the story of Salento
The Locomotive Jazz Festival is one of Puglia's most iconic musical events. Founded in 2006 and artistically directed by Salento-born saxophonist Raffaele Casarano, every summer it transforms the province of Lecce into a vast, open-air stage where jazz engages with the landscape, history, and traditions of Salento. Rather than being confined to a single venue, the festival is an itinerary that touches villages, public gardens, parks, and archaeological sites, eventually reaching the sea for its most celebrated moment.
Tramonti Locomotive: free concerts in the heart of the villages
The backbone of the festival is the Tramonti Locomotive (Locomotive Sunsets) section: a series of free concerts that begin at sunset in stunning locations, often preceded by guided tours that highlight the historical and natural heritage of the host towns. This formula combines music with slow tourism, inviting the public to discover lesser-known corners of the Salento territory, from the historic centers of Grecìa Salentina to archaeological sites like Roca Vecchia and Apigliano.
The Alba Locomotive on the beach
The emotional heart of the festival is the Alba Locomotive, a dawn concert that attracts thousands of people every year to the beach of Marina di San Cataldo, a coastal district of Lecce. In the quiet of a summer night, the audience gathers on the sand to await the first light of day, welcomed by the notes of Casarano's saxophone and his guests: a collective ritual that has become a symbol of the Puglian summer.
Between jazz and Italian songwriting
The hallmark of the Locomotive festival is cross-pollination: alongside major names in Italian and international jazz, the festival hosts voices from the world of singer-songwriters and pop, featuring original productions created specifically for the event. This openness makes it an event that speaks as much to dedicated jazz enthusiasts as it does to a broad, diverse audience.
A festival with a heart for charity
The Locomotive Jazz Festival pairs its music with a strong social commitment, through charitable partnerships and support for local and humanitarian causes. The festival is organized with the involvement of the Municipality of Lecce and the University of Salento, confirming its deep connection to the Puglian community and the entire Salento region.
Locomotive Jazz Festival — edition 2026
Locomotive Jazz Festival 2026 - 21st Edition
The twenty-first edition of the Locomotive Jazz Festival, directed by saxophonist Raffaele Casarano, unfolds from July 18 to August 4, 2026, across the villages and archaeological sites of Salento, in the province of Lecce.
Tramonti Locomotive - the seven free concerts
All sunset concerts are free to attend and begin at 7:00 PM, preceded by guided tours:
- July 18 - Soleto, Santa Venerdia Park: Beppe Delre "Sing Cole Porter and the Crooners"
- July 20 - Leverano, New Market Area: Marina Rei Trio
- July 22 - Aradeo, Municipal Villa: Joe Barbieri solo
- July 27 - Melendugno, Roca Vecchia archaeological site: Stefano Fresi and Giovanni Guidi "La Musica e il Silenzio"
- July 28 - Martano, Apigliano archaeological site: Bungaro
- July 29 - Castrignano dei Greci, Pozzelle Park: Daniele Sepe Quintet
- August 4 - Carpignano Salentino, Piazza Duca d'Aosta: Paolo Buonvino Trio
Alba Locomotive - the night of July 30-31
The festival's signature event returns to the beach of Marina di San Cataldo, Lecce, featuring Federico Zampaglione of Tiromancino, who joins Raffaele Casarano in an original production. They will be accompanied by some of the most important musicians of the Italian jazz scene: Giovanni Guidi on piano, Andrea Rossetti on synth, Gianluca Aceto on bass, Alessandro Monteduro on percussion, and Maurizio Dei Lazzaretti on drums. For the second consecutive year, the Alba Locomotive collaborates with Doctors Without Borders.
Programme Locomotive Jazz Festival 2026
Tramonti Locomotive (free entry, 7:00 PM)
- July 18 - Soleto, Santa Venerdia Park: Beppe Delre "Sing Cole Porter and the Crooners"
- July 20 - Leverano, New Market Area: Marina Rei Trio
- July 22 - Aradeo, Municipal Villa: Joe Barbieri solo
- July 27 - Melendugno, Roca Vecchia: Stefano Fresi and Giovanni Guidi
- July 28 - Martano, Apigliano archaeological site: Bungaro
- July 29 - Castrignano dei Greci, Pozzelle Park: Daniele Sepe Quintet
- August 4 - Carpignano Salentino, Piazza Duca d'Aosta: Paolo Buonvino Trio
Alba Locomotive (paid ticket)
Night of July 30-31 - Marina di San Cataldo (Lecce): Federico Zampaglione with Raffaele Casarano, Giovanni Guidi, Andrea Rossetti, Gianluca Aceto, Alessandro Monteduro, Maurizio Dei Lazzaretti.
Highlights Locomotive Jazz Festival 2026
Prices Locomotive Jazz Festival 2026
Practical information — Locomotive Jazz Festival
Getting there
The concerts take place in various municipalities within the province of Lecce, in Salento. Lecce is accessible by train (Lecce railway station) and by car via the Brindisi-Lecce expressway. The Alba Locomotive is held in Marina di San Cataldo, a coastal area of Lecce, reachable by car from the city.
Tickets
The Tramonti Locomotive concerts are free to attend. The Alba Locomotive requires a ticket, which can be purchased in advance via Ticketmaster. It is recommended to check the official festival website for times and availability.
Tips
For the dawn concert on the beach, we recommend comfortable clothing, a blanket or towel, and a flashlight. For the sunset concerts, it is useful to book guided tours when they are scheduled.
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Where does it take place — Locomotive Jazz Festival
Marina di San Cataldo e vari borghi del Salento