Sicilian in Jazz - International Jazz Day Syracuse
The jazz festival of South-East Sicily, featuring the Teatro Massimo and the Jazz & Wine Experience in the Val di Noto
About Sicilian in Jazz
Jazz in the heart of Baroque Sicily
Sicilian in Jazz is one of the most established jazz festivals in South-East Sicily. It was born and has grown in Syracuse and the surrounding Val di Noto province, thanks to the N.O.E. - Network Of Experience Association and the artistic direction of Giuseppe Mandalari, who has curated the program for over a decade, interpreting jazz as a language of dialogue, research, and inclusion.
The April 30th opening: International Jazz Day
The symbolic highlight of the festival is the inaugural concert on April 30th, held for International Jazz Day, promoted by UNESCO worldwide. The setting is the prestigious Teatro Massimo in Syracuse, in the heart of the island of Ortigia, which sells out every year. It is an event that unites the best of Sicilian jazz with national guests, celebrating the universal value of this music.
Jazz & Wine Experience: summer in the Val di Noto
Following the spring opening, the festival transforms in summer into the itinerant Jazz & Wine Experience. From June to September, a series of events winds through the wineries, historic farmhouses, and agritourism estates of the Syracuse and Val di Noto territory. Each evening pairs tastings of local wines and typical products with a concert immersed in nature, showcasing the most renowned wineries in the Noto and South-East Sicilian area.
A festival of culture, territory, and taste
Sicilian in Jazz is much more than a concert season: it is a project that links music to the landscape and gastronomic heritage of South-Eastern Sicily. The Baroque architecture of Noto, recognized by UNESCO, and the oenological identity of the territory provide the backdrop for unique evenings, where the audience enjoys a complete experience made of sounds, flavors, and Mediterranean atmospheres.
- Where: Teatro Massimo in Syracuse and wineries/farmhouses of the Val di Noto
- When: Opening on April 30th (International Jazz Day), then June-September for the Jazz & Wine Experience
- Who: N.O.E. - Network Of Experience Association, artistic direction by Giuseppe Mandalari
- What: Jazz concerts, food and wine tastings, itinerant events in the territory
Sicilian in Jazz — edition 2026
Sicilian in Jazz 2026 - 12th edition
The twelfth edition of Sicilian in Jazz kicked off on April 30, 2026, at the Teatro Massimo in Syracuse for International Jazz Day, with the "Ladies in Jazz" concert, an entirely female project designed to highlight the role of women in jazz.
Ladies in Jazz: the opening night
The stage featured the voices of Anita Vitale, Roberta Sava, Chiara Minaldi, and Giovanna Gemma, accompanied by Elisabetta Serio on piano, Ingrid Schyborger on double bass, Laura Klain on drums, and Rita Collura on sax. The repertoire wove together standards and reinterpretations such as "Maiden Voyage", "Dat Dere", "Inchworm", and "Blackbird", up to the tribute to Pino Daniele with "Sicily" and the grand finale of "Hit the Road Jack". The sold-out evening was met with long applause.
The summer of Jazz & Wine Experience
After the opening, the festival continues from June to September with the Jazz & Wine Experience, a series of itinerant evenings in the wineries, farmhouses, and agritourism estates of the Val di Noto, where the tasting of wines and typical products blends with concerts immersed in nature.
Programme Sicilian in Jazz 2026
Highlights Sicilian in Jazz 2026
Prices Sicilian in Jazz 2026
Practical information — Sicilian in Jazz
Getting there
The inaugural concert is held at the Teatro Massimo in Syracuse, on the island of Ortigia. By car, you can reach Syracuse via the A18/RA15 motorway; by train, the Syracuse station is well-connected to Catania and the rest of Eastern Sicily. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa, about an hour away.
Summer venues
The Jazz & Wine Experience events take place in wineries, historic farmhouses, and agritourism estates in the Val di Noto: we recommend traveling by car and booking in advance, as many evenings combine tastings and concerts with limited capacity.
Tickets and information
For information and reservations, you can contact the organization at [email protected] or [email protected]. The inaugural event at the Teatro Massimo often sells out: booking in advance is highly recommended.
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 — Sicilian in Jazz
Teatro Massimo di Siracusa