Mostri Sacri Festival

A tribute to the legends of Italian music

The Mostri Sacri Festival is one of the most original cultural events in the Livorno scene. Founded in 2021 and growing with every edition, the event celebrates the great authors and performers of Italian song—the true mostri sacri (sacred monsters/legends) of our musical tradition—through a program that combines live concerts, cinema, visual art, and literature. The festival takes place in Livorno, a seaside city in Tuscany, and is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Livorno.

The 2026 edition: the first musical competition

The sixth edition, scheduled from March 7 to 28, 2026, introduces an important novelty: the festival's first musical competition, dedicated to the theme "The journey in Italian song." The competition final, featuring ten finalists tasked with reinterpreting tracks from the Italian repertoire, will be held on March 14 at the Nuovo Teatro delle Commedie. The jury brings together local singer-songwriters, photographers, and producers.

The program continues on March 16 at the Cinema 4 Mori with the screening of the documentary "Paolo Conte, via con me" by Giorgio Verdelli, and culminates on Sunday, March 22, at The Cage Theatre with the grand finale: a live evening in the intimate "Indiretta Show" format, created by musician Francesco Pellegrini, featuring guest singer-songwriter Dente and performances by the competition winners and young artists like Violet and Lara Gallo. Accompanying the events is the "Mostri Sacri Market" with themed craft and merchandise stalls curated by the Mangiadischi collective.

The Exhibition of the Monsters

From March 7 to 28, the Spazio Coworking on Via Ginori 29 will host the "Mostra dei Mostri" (Exhibition of the Monsters), a display of works inspired by the great figures of Italian music. The exhibition runs throughout the festival and concludes on March 28 with a finissage set to the rhythm of Italo disco.

A city-wide festival

A distinctive feature of the Mostri Sacri Festival is its nature as a diffused event: historic theaters, cinemas, independent spaces, and Livorno's cultural landmarks become the stage for the festival. This choice allows for the enhancement of the cultural heritage of Livorno and its province, offering the public an experience that traverses the city. The atmosphere is that of an intimate musical salon, where listening and meeting the artists take priority.

Why attend

• A niche yet carefully curated festival dedicated to Italian singer-songwriting
• Events spread across evocative locations in Livorno, from theaters to cinemas and independent spaces
• An original mix of live music, cinema, art, and literature
• Prominent guests from the Italian singer-songwriter scene
• Accessible tickets and an intimate, family-like atmosphere