Serenade Festival

The Serenade Festival in Montefino

The Serenade Festival is one of the most iconic folk events in the Teramo area. Every summer, it brings the historic center of Montefino to life—a small town perched in the Abruzzo hinterland, nestled among the hills that slope down toward the Fino Valley in the province of Teramo. Established in the early 2000s, the festival is promoted by the Mons Siccus Cultural Association, chaired by Lisa Falone, with the patronage of the Municipality of Montefino.

The tradition of the love serenade

The heart of the festival is the Abruzzese love serenade, an ancient song once sung beneath the window of a beloved. The event was created specifically to revive and promote this intangible heritage: numerous folk groups and singers from all over Abruzzo gather in the village to compete in a singing contest to perform the most moving love song. The groups parade through the village alleys before reaching the stage set up in Largo Corte, where a qualified jury evaluates the performances and announces the winning group.

Music, art, and food

Beyond the competition, the Serenade Festival offers a rich, multidisciplinary program. Musical performances are complemented by exhibition spaces like the "Piazza d'arte" in Largo Corte, exhibitions dedicated to accordions by master luthiers, literary meetings, participatory art workshops, and initiatives focused on traditional crafts. There is no shortage of food and wine, with the typical flavors of Abruzzese cuisine served along the village streets.

A stronghold of Abruzzese folk culture

Over the years, the festival has hosted some of the best performers of regional folk music, from local folk groups to accordion champions, involving anthropologists and ethnomusicologists in discussion sessions. At a time when many oral traditions risk being lost, the Montefino festival stands as a true guardian of Abruzzese identity, blending memory, research, and community celebration.

Why visit

• The charming setting of the historic village of Montefino, in the province of Teramo
• The love serenade competition, a unique tradition of Abruzzese folklore
• Concerts, art exhibitions, literary meetings, and participatory workshops
• The flavors of Abruzzese cuisine along the village streets