Sognando l'Ariston - Sanremo Giovani Auditions

A springboard to the Ariston stage

Sognando l'Ariston is a touring music competition organized by the Monza-based Event Contest, which scouts for new authors, artists, voices, and faces of Italian pop music every year to help them prepare for the Sanremo Giovani selection process. The auditions travel through various cities and shopping centers across Northern Italy. In 2026, the tour stopped in Vicolungo, a small town in the province of Novara, Piedmont, at the renowned Vicolungo The Style Outlets.

Who can participate

The competition is open to young talent aged 16 to 26, who may perform as soloists or in groups. All genres of pop music are welcome: from pop and rock to singer-songwriter styles, with the option to perform either an original song or a cover. Registration is free and takes place via the official portal eventcontest.it, where the full competition rules are also available.

The Vicolungo stage

The selection event at Vicolungo The Style Outlets transformed the shopping plazas into an open-air stage for the afternoon. This marked the first time Sognando l'Ariston auditions were held at this outlet in the Novara plains, chosen for its high foot traffic. Visitors were able to watch the performances for free and support the contestants, while the young artists gained the experience of performing before a real audience.

An event for everyone

Beyond the competitive aspect, the day was designed as entertainment for everyone, integrated into the outlet's busy calendar of events. Between browsing the shops, visitors enjoyed live music, giving families and curious shoppers a taste of the emerging talent aspiring to conquer one of the most beloved stages in Italian music.

Towards Sanremo Giovani

Stages like the one in Vicolungo are the first steps on a path that aims high: those who stand out in these selections can move on to the subsequent phases of the competition, with the ultimate goal of applying for Sanremo Giovani. For Vicolungo and the entire province of Novara, it is an opportunity for visibility and a showcase for the emerging Piedmontese and national music scene.