May Day Concert
The major free concert for Labor Day at Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano
About Concertone
The Concertone, a secular ritual of Rome
Since 1990, the May Day Concert has been the musical highlight marking Labor Day in the capital. Born from the initiative of the three major trade unions CGIL, CISL, and UIL, it takes place every year in the city of Rome, Lazio, in front of the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano: one of the city's largest and most symbolic urban spaces, capable of hosting crowds that in peak years have exceeded hundreds of thousands of attendees. It is considered the largest free live music event in Europe and remains, to this day, a collective ritual that blends civic engagement with entertainment.
A musical marathon of over ten hours
The format has remained essentially the same: it begins in the early afternoon and continues until late at night, without interruption. The first part is dedicated to emerging artists and lesser-known projects, while the evening segment—broadcast live on television—is reserved for the most popular names on the Italian scene. The audience arrives early, camps out in front of the stage, and experiences a wide variety of genres throughout the day: singer-songwriter, pop, rock, rap, indie, electronic, and folk music.
Since 2015, production and organization have been entrusted to iCompany, with the artistic direction of Massimo Bonelli, who has given the event a sharper focus on new musical generations.
1MNEXT, the gateway for young artists
One of the most distinctive elements of the contemporary Concertone is 1MNEXT, the contest reserved for emerging Italian artists. Each year, a selection of finalists takes the stage at San Giovanni, and one of them is crowned the overall winner. For many musicians, this has been the first major stage of their career, performing before a packed square and the Rai cameras.
Music and labor issues
The Concertone is more than just a show. Each edition is built around a theme proposed by the unions, which is highlighted from the stage between performances: workplace safety, job insecurity, rights, wages, and more recently, the impact of artificial intelligence on employment. Speeches alternate with songs, and it is not uncommon for artists to take a stand on social and current issues. This dual nature—a popular festival and a civic assembly—is what distinguishes the Roman event from any other major Italian musical gathering.
How to experience the day
- Free admission and no ticket required: access the square through security checkpoints with metal detectors.
- Early arrival: those who want to be close to the stage generally arrive in the morning.
- Rai broadcast: the event is broadcast in its entirety on Rai 3, Rai Radio2, and via streaming on RaiPlay for those who prefer to watch from home.
- Central location: the square is located in the Monti/San Giovanni district, a short walk from the Lateran Basilica and the Aurelian Walls.
Why it's worth attending
For those visiting Rome in early May, the Concertone is a rare opportunity: a massive urban festival, completely free of charge, set in a unique monumental backdrop. The atmosphere is that of a great popular celebration, with families, students, and fans sharing the same square for an entire day. It is also an excellent vantage point to observe the state of Italian music, as it brings established artists side-by-side with names appearing before a large audience for the first time.
Concertone — edition 2026
Concertone 2026: a day with over fifty artists
On May 1st, 2026, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano hosted one of the richest editions in recent years. The event kicked off in the early afternoon with a long section dedicated to new talent and the 1MNEXT finalists, before moving into full swing with the live television broadcast on Rai 3 starting in the afternoon and continuing non-stop until late at night.
A wide variety of genres took the stage: from the rap of Geolier and Rocco Hunt to the pop-rock of Pinguini Tattici Nucleari, from the singer-songwriter styles of Niccolò Fabi and Ermal Meta to the voices of Emma, Madame, Levante, and Francesca Michielin, all the way to the classic rock of Litfiba and the presence of Riccardo Cocciante. There was also space for folk music with the Orchestra Popolare La Notte della Taranta.
The theme of the edition
The central theme chosen by CGIL, CISL, and UIL was dignified work: collective bargaining, new protections, and new rights for an Italy changing in the era of artificial intelligence. A theme repeatedly referenced from the stage between performances by the artists themselves and union representatives.
Hosts and 1MNEXT
The hosting duties were entrusted to the trio of Arisa, BigMama, and Pierpaolo Spollon. During the day, Bambina was proclaimed the overall winner of the 1MNEXT 2026 contest among the three finalists competing.
Programme Concertone 2026
On the stage of Piazza San Giovanni - May 1st, 2026
Square opens in the early afternoon, live on Rai 3 from 3:15 PM, and continuous programming until approximately 12:15 AM.
Hosts
Arisa, BigMama, and Pierpaolo Spollon.
Announced artists who performed
- Paolo Belli, Rob, Santamarea, Francamente, Casadilego, Primogenito
- Birthh, Nico Arezzo, Sissi, Roshelle, Dutch Nazari, Silvia Salemi
- Okgiorgio, Senza Cri, Lea Gavino, Emma Nolde, Ministri, Angelica Bove
- Eddie Brock, Bambole di Pezza, Chiello, Maria Antonietta and Colombre
- Dolcenera, Mobrici, Delia, Niccolò Fabi, La Nina, Ermal Meta
- Sayf, Fulminacci, Riccardo Cocciante, Serena Brancale with Levante and Delia
- Levante, Litfiba, Ditonellapiaga, Emma, Pinguini Tattici Nucleari
- Madame, Geolier, Dardust with Davide Rossi, Irama, Francesca Michielin
- Frah Quintale, Rocco Hunt, Arisa, BigMama
- Orchestra Popolare La Notte della Taranta
1MNEXT 2026
Performance by the finalists of the contest for emerging artists; overall winner proclaimed from the stage: Bambina.
Highlights Concertone 2026
- Over fifty artists in more than nine hours of continuous live broadcast on Rai 3 and Rai Radio2.
- The return of Litfiba and the appearance of Riccardo Cocciante alongside the new generations.
- The finale with the Orchestra Popolare La Notte della Taranta.
- The crowning of Bambina, winner of 1MNEXT 2026.
- The theme of dignified work in the age of artificial intelligence, highlighted from the stage throughout the day.
Prices Concertone 2026
Practical information — Concertone
How to get there
Metro line A, San Giovanni stop, just a few meters from the square. Alternatively, take tram line 3 or numerous urban bus lines. On the day of the concert, traffic changes and road closures are expected in the area: we strongly recommend using public transport and avoiding cars.
Admission and rules
Free and open admission, no reservation required. Access is through controlled gates; glass bottles, cans, pointed umbrellas, and sharp objects are not allowed. We recommend bringing water, a hat, and sunscreen for the middle of the day.
Where to stay
The San Giovanni district and the Esquilino/Termini area offer numerous accommodations well-connected to the square. Given the influx during the May 1st long weekend, it is advisable to book well in advance.
From home
Full live broadcast on Rai 3 and Rai Radio2, streaming on RaiPlay.
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Where does it take place — Concertone
Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano
Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 00185 Roma