Porretta Soul Festival
Europe's most prestigious soul festival, in the Bolognese Apennines
About Porretta Soul
The Porretta Soul Festival
The Porretta Soul Festival is an unmissable event for lovers of African-American music. Born in 1988 thanks to the passion of Graziano Uliani, who is still the artistic director today, it takes place every summer in Porretta Terme, a fraction of the Municipality of Alto Reno Terme, in the Province of Bologna, in the heart of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. In almost forty years of history, it has become the most prestigious soul and rhythm & blues festival in Europe, capable of bringing the most authentic voices of the Memphis Sound and the Stax tradition to a small spa town in Emilia-Romagna.
A tribute to Memphis music
The connection with Memphis is the heart of the festival: the park hosting the concerts is dedicated to Rufus Thomas, a Stax Records legend who performed in Porretta several times, and the town has transformed over the years into a small soul shrine, with Otis Redding Avenue, the Solomon Burke Bridge, a museum dedicated to soul music, and fifteen murals depicting the genre's greats. Every year, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Band, led by producer Kurt "KC" Clayton, accompanies a lineup of international artists on stage.
Four evenings and music in the square
The program unfolds over four evenings at the Rufus Thomas Park, while during the day the town comes alive with free concerts at the Rufus Thomas Café Stage in Piazza della Libertà, street band performances, and the street food village. A formula that combines big names from the American soul and blues scene with a familiar and welcoming atmosphere, typical of the villages in the Bolognese Apennines.
Why it's worth the trip
- The longest-running and most beloved soul festival in Europe, active since 1988.
- A cast of African-American voices and musicians coming directly from Memphis and the United States.
- Free concerts in the square, street food, and the unique atmosphere of an Apennine spa town.
- A true musical pilgrimage for soul, blues, and rhythm & blues fans from all over Europe.
Porretta Soul — edition 2026
The 38th edition of the Porretta Soul Festival takes place from July 23rd to 26th, 2026, at Rufus Thomas Park in Porretta Terme, with four evenings dedicated to the best of American soul and rhythm & blues music. On stage, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Band, twelve musicians led by producer Kurt "KC" Clayton, accompanies the great guests. During the day, the Rufus Thomas Café Stage in Piazza della Libertà offers free concerts, while the town comes alive with street bands and street food.
Programme Porretta Soul 2026
Thursday, July 23rd
- 8:00 PM — The Özdemirs
- 9:00 PM — Mitch Woods & Bononia Sound Machine
- 10:15 PM — Sandy Carroll
- 11:00 PM — Curtis Salgado & Soul Shot Band
Friday, July 24th
- 8:00 PM — Tad Robinson Band
- 9:30 PM — Eric Gales with the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Band, The Jewels, Stefanie Bolton, and Bigg Robb
Saturday, July 25th
- 8:00 PM — Thornetta Davis & ZBlues Band
- 9:30 PM — Lenny Williams with the Memphis Music Hall of Fame Band, The Jewels, and Karen Wolfe
Sunday, July 26th (Final Evening)
- 8:00 PM — John Ellison & The Carpenter Ants
- 9:30 PM — Memphis Music Hall of Fame Band Revue with all the stars of the week: The Jewels, Eric Gales, Lenny Williams, Stefanie Bolton, Bigg Robb, Karen Wolfe, and Sandy Carroll
During the day, free concerts at the Rufus Thomas Café Stage in Piazza della Libertà. House Band: Memphis Music Hall of Fame Band directed by Kurt "KC" Clayton. Artistic direction by Graziano Uliani. Program subject to change; check the official website for updated times.
Highlights Porretta Soul 2026
Prices Porretta Soul 2026
Practical information — Porretta Soul
How to get there
Alto Reno Terme (Porretta Terme) can be reached by train on the Bologna-Pistoia line (Porretta Terme station) or by car via the SS64 Porrettana. The journey from Bologna takes about an hour.
Tickets
Day ticket €40, season ticket for four evenings €120, season ticket for three evenings €100. Free entry for children under 13 and a 50% discount for teenagers aged 14 to 18. Daytime concerts at the Rufus Thomas Café Stage in Piazza della Libertà are free.
Tips
It is advisable to book accommodation in advance: Porretta Terme is a small spa town, and availability during the festival is limited. Tourist information is available at the IAT office of the Municipality of Alto Reno Terme.
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Where does it take place — Porretta Soul
Parco Rufus Thomas
Parco Rufus Thomas, Via Roma, 40046 Alto Reno Terme