Musica in Festa

A musical celebration in the Verdicchio hills

Perched on a hill about 440 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Castelli di Jesi, the small village of Staffolo (province of Ancona, Marche) is best known for its Verdicchio. But on the last weekend of July, it becomes the capital of musical bands thanks to Musica in Festa, a festival that has enlivened alleys, small squares, and cellars in the historic center for over thirty years.

Origins and band tradition

The event stems from Staffolo's vibrant musical tradition, carried on by the Banda Musicale Città di Staffolo, a band reborn in 1978 and known for the very young age of its members. Since the 1980s, the band has participated in numerous international festivals in Europe — Denmark, Austria, France, Switzerland, Sweden — forging ties with musical groups from across the continent. From these exchanges, the idea for a festival that would bring bands and groups from various Italian regions and from European and non-European countries to Staffolo was born: Musica in Festa.

Three days of concerts and parades

The program unfolds over three days, from Friday to Sunday. Guest bands perform in concerts in the town squares and hold musical parades that traverse the streets of the historic center, transforming the entire village into an open-air stage. There are also study and in-depth sessions dedicated to instruments and band repertoire, designed for musicians and enthusiasts.

Atmosphere and food and wine

Alongside the music, Musica in Festa is also an opportunity to discover local flavors: food stalls offer traditional Marche dishes accompanied by the famous Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, the star product of the hills surrounding Staffolo. The combination of music, conviviality, and wine culture makes the event one of the most heartfelt of the summer in the Ancona hinterland.

A free event open to all

All events of the festival are free admission. Promoted by the Banda Musicale Città di Staffolo with the support of the Municipality of Staffolo, Musica in Festa involves musicians, citizens, and visitors in a grand celebration dedicated to music, culture, and community, fostering an exchange between different musical traditions.