Palermo Classica – International Festival

Palermo Classica, the musical summer of the Sicilian capital

Palermo Classica – International Festival is one of the most important classical music events in Southern Italy. Founded in 2011 and organized by the Palermo Classica Academy, the festival brings the Municipality of Palermo, capital of the Sicily region, to life for nearly two months every summer with a program that weaves together great classics and unconventional performances, following the motto that has accompanied the festival for years: "Not your usual Classical music".

A widespread festival across the city's most beautiful venues

The heart of the festival is the Steri Monumental Complex (Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri) in Piazza Marina, where most of the symphonic and chamber concerts take place. In recent years, the program has expanded to the Palermo Botanical Garden, one of the most evocative venues, and in some editions to iconic Sicilian landmarks such as the Ancient Theatre of Taormina and the Archaeological Park of Selinunte. Listening to music at sunset among the ancient plants of the Botanical Garden or under the vaults of the Steri is one of the most beloved cultural experiences of the Palermitan summer.

A rich and diverse program

Each edition features over forty concerts with more than sixty artists from all over the world. The program alternates:

• symphonic concerts and great works of the romantic repertoire (Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák);
• chamber music and piano recitals;
• forays into Argentine tango, jazz, and more popular repertoires (from Gershwin transcriptions to rock reinterpretations);
• spaces dedicated to young talent and international debuts.

Between tradition and experimentation

What sets Palermo Classica apart is its desire to make classical music accessible and surprising: alongside the cornerstones of the repertoire, there are original programs, novel pairings of authors from different eras, and formats designed for a wide audience. The summer festival is complemented throughout the year by a winter season at the Steri, a sign of the continuity of a cultural project now deeply rooted in the life of the Sicilian capital.

An event for citizens and visitors

With its affordable ticket prices and subscription options, Palermo Classica appeals to both music lovers and tourists who are discovering Sicily and its capital during the summer. Attending a festival concert means combining great music with the beauty of Palermo's historical and natural heritage.