Montecatini Terme UNESCO Arts Festival

A new celebration for the spa town

The Montecatini Terme UNESCO Arts Festival debuts in 2026 as the flagship cultural event for the Municipality of Montecatini Terme, located in the province of Pistoia, in the heart of Tuscany. The festival was created to mark the fifth anniversary of the town's UNESCO recognition: in 2021, the Montecatini thermal baths were inscribed as part of the transnational Great Spas of Europe World Heritage site. For six nights, from July 1st to 6th, the monumental Piazzale delle Terme Tettuccio will transform into a grand open-air theater, with a seating capacity of approximately two thousand in the evocative Piazzale Giusti.

A dialogue between art, science, and philosophy

The festival is an interdisciplinary showcase that weaves together dance, music, science, and cultural reflection, focusing on themes of water, healing, and future visions, in perfect harmony with the town's thermal identity. Each evening offers a different language, ranging from the great classical tradition to singer-songwriter performances, and from scientific talks to rock concerts.

Day-by-day program

• July 1st (9:30 PM) – The La Scala Theatre Ballet School opens the festival with a program of classical and contemporary choreography, from the Paquita Suite to Mauro Bigonzetti's Rossini Cards.
• July 2nd – At 7:45 PM, a special Radio3Scienza Live dedicated to the theme of water; at 9:00 PM, the show "La cura" (The Cure) with journalist Concita De Gregorio and singer-songwriter Erica Mou.
• July 3rd (9:30 PM) – The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino presents Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, in an evening of grand choral and orchestral music.
• July 4th (9:30 PM) – Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) in concert with their "Doppia Traccia" show (ticketed event, advance booking on TicketOne).
• July 5th (9:30 PM) – A talk on the human adventure and major historical shifts, featuring historian Franco Cardini and other guests.
• July 6th (9:30 PM) – Tony Hadley, the iconic voice of Spandau Ballet, closes the festival with "An Englishman in Italy" (ticketed event, advance booking on TicketOne).

Admission and bookings

Performances on July 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th are free of charge, with mandatory reservations through the Teatro Verdi in Montecatini. The concerts on July 4th (PFM) and July 6th (Tony Hadley) require tickets, available for advance purchase on TicketOne. The event is promoted by the Municipal Administration and produced by the Teatro Verdi of Montecatini Terme.

Montecatini, capital of Tuscan thermal culture

Set amidst the Art Nouveau and neoclassical architecture of the Tettuccio establishment, one of the symbols of European spa culture, the festival highlights the architectural and landscape heritage of Montecatini Terme. The event joins the celebrations held across Europe by the Great Spas, confirming Tuscany as a land of culture, wellness, and great musical tradition.