Ondavilla – Sea Breeze
The nautical festival at the Marina of Francavilla al Mare
About Ondavilla
Ondavilla, the nautical festival of Francavilla al Mare
Every start of summer, the Marina of Francavilla becomes the beating heart of Abruzzo's seaside life with Ondavilla – Sea Breeze, the nautical festival promoted by the Circolo Nautico Francavilla in collaboration with Marina di Francavilla, the Municipality of Francavilla al Mare, and numerous local sports and cultural associations. For three days, the docks and harbor gardens in the town of Francavilla al Mare, in the province of Chieti, transform into a large open-air village where sports, culture, environment, entertainment, and gastronomy intertwine along the Abruzzo coast.
The sea as a protagonist
The main theme of the event is direct contact with the sea. From morning to evening, it is possible to try sailing, kayaking, SUP, canoeing, and swimming for free, with instructors and volunteers guiding adults and children on their first outings. Alongside the sports trials, the harbor hosts nautical exhibitors and major federations, offering a chance to discover boats, equipment, and the latest trends in the sailing and recreational boating world.
Plenty of space is dedicated to families: play areas, inflatables, puppet shows, educational workshops, and first-aid demonstrations by the Italian Red Cross and Life Guards make Ondavilla a festival truly designed for all ages.
An event with an environmental soul
Ondavilla is not just about sports and fun: sustainability is an integral part of the project. The Pulifondali and Pulispiagge (Seabed and Beach Cleanup) initiative, with the participation of hundreds of children from Francavilla schools, involves divers and volunteers in recovering waste from the seabed and beaches, accompanied by marine biology workshops, meetings about sea turtles, and ecological awareness moments. The sea thus becomes an educational opportunity for new generations.
Harbor evenings
At sunset, the harbor lights up with music and shows: from late afternoon until night, there is a succession of live concerts, DJ sets, dance schools, and comedy shows, with the street food festival enlivening the harbor gardens with local specialties and typical Abruzzo dishes. Ondavilla – Sea Breeze is now one of the key events that kick off the summer in Francavilla al Mare, an ideal starting point for discovering the Trabocchi Coast and the Teatino coastline.
Ondavilla — edition 2026
The second edition of Ondavilla – Sea Breeze animated the Marina of Francavilla from June 5 to 7, 2026, confirming the formula that combines sea sports, environment, culture, and entertainment. Promoted by the Circolo Nautico Francavilla with the Municipality of Francavilla al Mare and local associations, the event saw strong participation from families and schools.
Sustainability was the common thread of the edition, with the opening Pulifondali and Pulispiagge initiative and marine biology workshops, alongside free water trials and a rich program of evening shows.
Programme Ondavilla 2026
Continuous activities (every day)
- 10:00 – 20:00 — Free sailing, kayaking, SUP, canoeing, and swimming trials for all ages
- 09:00 – 12:30 and 15:00 – 17:30 — Free sailing, kayaking, and SUP trials with instructors
- 10:00 – 22:00 — Nautical exhibitors, sports federations, and sport climbing
- 10:00 – 24:00 — Catering and street food with local specialties
- 18:00 — Street Art workshop
- Play areas, inflatables, and first-aid demonstrations with the Italian Red Cross and Life Guards
Friday, June 5
- 09:00 — Pulifondali and Pulispiagge: underwater waste recovery with about 300 children from Francavilla schools, sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment, Coast Guard, and RAI
- Yoga, educational workshops, and puppet shows (17:30), marine biology snippets
Saturday, June 6
- Open water swimming, meeting with sea turtles, Dragon Boat, and children's workshops
- 21:00 — Comedy show with Alberto Farina (Zelig and Colorado)
Sunday, June 7
- Gozzoviglia, rowing competition
- Cigarette butt collection, book presentation, and closing parade
Evening music and shows (19:00 – 24:00)
- Malajente (Latin music)
- New Tones (rock & roll)
- Swing Bullets (dance school)
- Desperados Blues Band
- DJ set and Gruv Band
Highlights Ondavilla 2026
Prices Ondavilla 2026
Practical information — Ondavilla
Location
Porto Turistico Marina di Francavilla, Via Pola 1, 66023 Francavilla al Mare (CH), Abruzzo.
How to get there
Francavilla al Mare is located on the Adriatic coast, just a few kilometers from Pescara and Chieti. By car, it can be reached via the A14 motorway, taking the Pescara Sud – Francavilla al Mare exit. The Francavilla al Mare train station is on the Bologna–Bari Adriatic line.
Admission
Access to the event is free. Many activities, including sailing, kayaking, SUP, and canoeing trials, are free and open to all ages.
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Where does it take place — Ondavilla
Porto Turistico Marina di Francavilla
Via Pola 1, 66023 Francavilla al Mare