Music Festival
The great national music festival in the heart of L'Aquila
About Music Festival
The Music Festival in L'Aquila
The Music Festival is the annual event that fills cities and towns across Italy with music on the day of the summer solstice. Born as a widespread European celebration, it honors music in all its forms with free concerts in public spaces, from grand squares to small villages. In L'Aquila, in the heart of the Province of L'Aquila and the Abruzzo region, the festival takes on a special significance: the historic center, restored to life after years of reconstruction, becomes a sprawling stage across squares, churches, museums, and courtyards.
A singing city
The L'Aquila program weaves together diverse genres and audiences: from youth wind orchestras to chamber ensembles, and from the jazz formations of the 'Alfredo Casella' Conservatory to evening concerts by renowned artists. Piazza Duomo is the hub of the performances, but the music also reaches iconic locations such as MAXXI L'Aquila, the National Museum of Abruzzo (MUNDA) at the Spanish Fort, and the Palazzetto dei Nobili. The 'Singing City' initiative enlivens the mornings in the historic center with performances spread throughout alleys and squares.
A national event rooted in the territory
- Free concerts open to everyone on the summer solstice
- A lineup combining jazz, classical, choral, singer-songwriter, and youth ensembles
- Involvement of the 'Alfredo Casella' Conservatory, Abruzzo musical institutions, and local associations
- Showcasing L'Aquila's cultural landmarks as natural stages
L'Aquila Italian Capital of Culture
L'Aquila's role as the 2026 Italian Capital of Culture has strengthened the bond between the Music Festival and the city, which was chosen as the symbolic venue for the national edition. The event engages with the rich monumental heritage of the Abruzzo capital and its cultural vocation, offering residents and visitors two days of widespread, free, and high-quality music in the heart of the Apennines.
Music Festival — edition 2026
Music Festival 2026 in L'Aquila
The 32nd edition of the Music Festival made L'Aquila, the 2026 Italian Capital of Culture, one of its main stages, with the theme 'The Voice of Places' dedicated to the bond between music, territorial identity, and heritage. Two days, June 20 and 21, filled the historic center of the Abruzzo capital with music.
The event opened on Friday, June 20 in Piazza Duomo with a concert by Eugenio in Via Di Gioia, dedicated to the new generations, followed by performances by Sammartino (9:00 PM) and NEWAIR DJ (11:00 PM). On Sunday, June 21, the day of the solstice, the 'Singing City' initiative enlivened the center from the morning: the Jazz Orchestra of the 'A. Casella' Conservatory (10:00 AM) and the ANBIMA Regional Youth Wind Orchestra (11:30 AM) in Piazza Duomo, the Chamber Musicians of the Abruzzo Symphonic Institution at the Palazzetto dei Nobili, 'Arpe in Stile' at MAXXI L'Aquila, and the Pessoa Quartet at the National Museum of Abruzzo.
The edition's testimonial, jazz musician Stefano Di Battista, closed the event on June 21 with a special concert created with the 'Alfredo Casella' Conservatory, broadcast live on RaiPlay from 9:30 PM.
Programme Music Festival 2026
Friday, June 20
- Eugenio in Via Di Gioia — Piazza Duomo
- Sammartino — Piazza Duomo, 9:00 PM
- NEWAIR DJ — Piazza Duomo, 11:00 PM
Sunday, June 21 — 'The Singing City'
- Jazz Orchestra of the 'A. Casella' Conservatory — Piazza Duomo, 10:00 AM
- ANBIMA Regional Youth Wind Orchestra — Piazza Duomo, 11:30 AM
- Chamber Musicians of the Abruzzo Symphonic Institution — Palazzetto dei Nobili, 6:00 PM
- 'Arpe in Stile' — MAXXI L'Aquila, 6:00 PM
- Pessoa Quartet — National Museum of Abruzzo, Spanish Fort, 7:30 PM
- Stefano Di Battista with the 'Alfredo Casella' Conservatory — 9:30 PM, live on RaiPlay
Highlights Music Festival 2026
- Closing concert by Stefano Di Battista, the edition's testimonial, broadcast live on RaiPlay
- L'Aquila as the symbolic venue for the 2026 Italian Capital of Culture
- 'The Voice of Places' theme with concerts spread across squares and museums
- Free admission to all events
Prices Music Festival 2026
Practical information — Music Festival
How to get there
L'Aquila can be reached by car via the A24 Rome-Teramo motorway (L'Aquila Ovest or Est exit). By train, L'Aquila station is connected to the Terni-Sulmona line; numerous buses connect the capital with Rome, Pescara, and the main cities of Abruzzo. The concerts take place in the historic center, which is easily explored on foot.
Admission
All Music Festival concerts are free of charge, subject to availability.
Tips
The historic center is largely pedestrianized: it is advisable to leave your car in the perimeter parking lots. For evening shows in Piazza Duomo, we recommend arriving early.
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Where does it take place — Music Festival
Piazza Duomo e centro storico
Piazza Duomo, 67100 L'Aquila