Pistoia Blues Festival
The premier blues and rock festival in Piazza del Duomo, held in the heart of Tuscany since 1980
About Pistoia Blues
A legendary festival in the heart of Pistoia
The Pistoia Blues Festival is one of the most significant and enduring music events on the Italian scene. Established in 1980, the festival has brought some of the greatest artists in global blues, rock, and songwriting to the evocative setting of Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia's historic center. Over its forty-year history, the Pistoia stage has hosted legends such as B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Carlos Santana, and many others, earning its place among Europe's historic music festivals.
The 2026 Edition: The 45th Anniversary
From July 2nd to 10th, 2026, Pistoia celebrates the forty-fifth edition of the festival with a lineup that reflects the event's dual nature: international blues and rock on one hand, and the best of Italian songwriting in the "Storytellers" section on the other. The event takes place in the stunning scenery of Piazza del Duomo, in front of the Cathedral of San Zeno and the ancient Baptistery, blending live music with rich artistic heritage.
The Lineup
The 2026 program features a mix of international music icons and major Italian names:
- July 2 — Marco Masini (Storytellers section), with Maurizio Pirovano opening
- July 3 — Il Volo
- July 4 — Fantastic Negrito and Eric Steckel
- July 5 — Jet with Walter Trout
- July 6 — Enrico Brignano in his comedy show
- July 7 — Claudio Baglioni Storytellers (sold out)
- July 8 — The Darkness with Messa
- July 10 — Jethro Tull, returning to the festival after their 1999, 2003, and 2008 appearances
The "Storytellers" Section and Emerging Talent
Alongside the major headliners, the festival dedicates significant space to Italian songwriting through the Storytellers section and supports young musicians via the Obiettivo Blues'in competition, which opens the main evenings with selected emerging bands. A commitment to new generations has always been a hallmark of the Pistoia festival.
Pistoia and the Festival
The festival is an integral part of the cultural identity of Pistoia, an art city in the heart of Tuscany. In 2026, the event is part of a particularly vibrant year for the city, filled with cultural initiatives. Piazza del Duomo, one of Italy's most beautiful medieval squares, provides a unique backdrop that makes Pistoia Blues an unmissable appointment for live music fans from across Italy and Europe.
Pistoia Blues — edition 2026
2026 Program
The forty-fifth edition offers a week of concerts in Piazza del Duomo:
- July 2 — Marco Masini (Storytellers), opening by Maurizio Pirovano
- July 3 — Il Volo
- July 4 — Fantastic Negrito and Eric Steckel
- July 5 — Jet with Walter Trout
- July 6 — Enrico Brignano
- July 7 — Claudio Baglioni Storytellers (sold out)
- July 8 — The Darkness with Messa
- July 10 — Jethro Tull
The main evenings are opened by the winning bands of the Obiettivo Blues'in competition.
Programme Pistoia Blues 2026
Highlights Pistoia Blues 2026
Prices Pistoia Blues 2026
Practical information — Pistoia Blues
Getting There
By train: Pistoia station is on the Florence-Lucca-Viareggio line, just a few minutes' walk from Piazza del Duomo. By car: Take the Pistoia exit from the A11 Firenze-Mare motorway, then use the parking lots near the historic center (the square is in a restricted traffic zone).
Tickets
Tickets are available via Ticketone, Ticketmaster, and Vivaticket, as well as authorized retailers. Early booking is recommended: some evenings, such as the Claudio Baglioni show, are already sold out.
Tips
Pistoia offers numerous accommodation options in the center and surrounding areas. We recommend booking well in advance for the festival dates and combining your evening concert with a visit to the medieval historic center.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Pistoia Blues
Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo, 51100 Pistoia