Nautilus Festival

A festival of new languages in Civitavecchia

The Nautilus Festival is the cultural event that enlivens the Giardino della Cittadella della Musica in Civitavecchia every summer, a port city in the province of Rome overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Born from the idea of exploring the languages with which new generations describe the present, the festival weaves together talks, literature, poetry, music, and a constant reflection on the world of social media and digital popularization. Each edition addresses a different theme while maintaining a single goal: creating opportunities for connection between young people and the protagonists of contemporary culture.

The second 2026 edition

Following its debut the previous year, the Nautilus Festival returns in 2026 for its second edition, scheduled from July 18th to August 29th. The heart of the event remains the Giardino della Cittadella della Musica, an open-air space that becomes a summer gathering point for younger audiences. All events are free of charge.

The program

• Singer-songwriter evening — an event dedicated to original music, opening the festival.
• July 18th — Edoardo Prati: the student and creator who has introduced thousands of young people to the classics guides the audience through a journey of philosophy, literature, history, and music, in a talk moderated by Patrizio Ruviglioni.
• Strega Poetry Prize — an evening linked to the prestigious award dedicated to contemporary poetry.
• July 23rd — Raffaele Giuliani: the creator brings a discussion on politics, institutions, and civic participation to the Cittadella, in dialogue with Patrizio Ruviglioni.
• August 29th — College Night: the event specifically designed for younger audiences, which closes the festival.

Popularization and pop culture

The festival centers on figures who have successfully made major cultural themes relevant through new media: from classical literature told in a direct and accessible language to reflections on civic participation and the role of social media in shaping new generations. This is the hallmark of Nautilus: bringing young people closer to culture without sacrificing depth, but using tones and tools familiar to them.

The Cittadella della Musica

The Cittadella della Musica in Civitavecchia, located on Via Gabriele D'Annunzio, has become one of the city's homes for the arts: throughout the year it hosts concerts, shows, and festivals, and in summer its garden transforms into an open-air stage. The Nautilus Festival is organized by Skelter Srl with the support of Stazione Musica and Wolli, in a program that completes the summer cultural offering of the Municipality of Civitavecchia, in Lazio.

Why attend

For those visiting the Lazio coast north of Rome, the Nautilus Festival is the perfect opportunity to combine a summer evening by the sea with a meeting featuring some of the most followed faces of Italian popularization. Free, open-air, and with a pop sensibility, it is a festival that speaks primarily to young people, but is sure to intrigue anyone interested in how cultural languages are changing today.