Summer in Castellina in Chianti
The summer festival in the heart of the Chianti village, from May to September
About Summer in Castellina
A widespread summer in the heart of the Sienese Chianti
Summer in Castellina in Chianti is the major summer festival organized by the Municipality of Castellina in Chianti, in the province of Siena, Tuscany. From May 16th to September 19th, the medieval village transforms into an open-air stage with over sixty events spread across four months: music, culture, food and wine, performances, sports, and activities designed for children and families. It is not just a single festival, but a widespread calendar that involves the squares, churches, parks, and streets of the historic center of one of the most famous villages on the Chianti Classico wine route.
The squares and venues of the festival
The heart of the events is Piazza del Comune, where concerts, open-air dinners, dance evenings, and DJ sets under the stars are concentrated. Many events take place at Parco delle Casce, the Archaeological Museum of the Sienese Chianti, the Church of the SS. Salvatore, and along the evocative Via delle Volte and Via delle Mura, the famous medieval walkway that runs beneath the ancient village walls.
Music, culture, and food and wine
The program alternates between very different genres and audiences. On the musical front, it ranges from concerts by the local Philharmonic and Schola Cantorum to the Siena Jazz Orchestra, from organ concerts in the Church of the SS. Salvatore to DJ sets and ballroom dancing in the square, up to the events of the Chianti Festival, the festival that unites Castellina, Gaiole, and Castelnuovo Berardenga with major national names. There is also no shortage of choral singing reviews, photography exhibitions, and cultural meetings.
- Apemise at Parco delle Casce: the convivial Thursday evenings in July.
- Il Sabato nel Villaggio: the short-chain market along Via delle Volte.
- Music at the Museum: concerts and Tuscan folk at the Archaeological Museum of the Chianti.
- Calici di Stelle and Calici d'Italia: wine tastings and street food in August.
- The Watermelon Fair and the Rificolona Festival at the end of summer.
Tradition, wine, and territory
Food and wine are a cornerstone of the festival: dinners in the square, aperitifs, tastings with producers, and evenings dedicated to Chianti wine tell the story of a territory where wine culture is a shared heritage. Between trekking and family walks through the vineyards, strolls under the stars, and running races, the Castellina summer is also an invitation to discover the hilly landscape of the Sienese Chianti, among rows of vines, olive groves, and villages.
A summer for everyone
Designed for residents and visitors, the festival puts the community at the center: intergenerational meetings, games in the square for the little ones, solidarity moments like the "Apparecchiata," and civil and religious celebrations. It is the way Castellina in Chianti, a small but great Tuscan village, welcomes summer tourism without losing its village soul.
Summer in Castellina — edition 2026
The 2026 edition offers a rich calendar that spans the entire summer, from the Winemakers' Festival in May to the Chianti Cup and the Rificolona Festival in September. Four months of music, culture, food and wine, and sports in the historic center of Castellina in Chianti.
Programme Summer in Castellina 2026
May
- Sat, May 16 — Via delle Volte/Piazza della Chiesa: "Il Sabato nel Villaggio" (9:00 AM - 7:00 PM), children's readings at the Library (10:30 AM), "Winemakers' Festival – Dinner Party" with tastings and street food (6:00 PM - 9:30 PM), DJ set (10:00 PM).
- Sun, May 17 — Via delle Volte: tasting with producers (4:00 PM - 8:30 PM).
- Fri, May 22 — Library: photography exhibition inauguration.
- Sun, May 31 — Family walk (9:30 AM) and 24th International Choral Singing Review at the Church of the SS. Salvatore (5:30 PM).
June
- Mon, June 1 — Piazza del Comune: concert by the rock band Avalanche (9:30 PM).
- Sat, June 13 – Sun, June 14 — "Music and...", Philharmonic band gathering.
- Sat, June 20 — "Il Sabato nel Villaggio" and Dinner at the Casce at Parco delle Casce (7:30 PM).
- Sat, June 27 — Piazza del Comune: concert by the Siena Jazz Orchestra (9:00 PM).
- Sun, June 28 — Trekking (9:00 AM) and awards ceremony for the Vanna Bianciardi National Competition.
July
- Apemise at Parco delle Casce every Thursday: July 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 (7:30 PM).
- Sat, July 4 — "Sun Rise", 80s DJ set (10:00 PM).
- Sun, July 5 — Organ, flute, and soprano concert (6:00 PM) and ballroom dancing with Max Fabbri (10:00 PM).
- Sat, July 11 — Dinner in the square (8:00 PM) and DJ set with Alberto Ciabattini (10:30 PM).
- Mon, July 20 — "Sonata per Tubi", classical music with unconventional instruments (Chianti Festival, 9:00 PM).
- Sun, July 26 — Rino Gaetano Tribute Band in Piazza del Comune (Chianti Festival, 9:00 PM).
- Music at the Museum at the Archaeological Museum of the Chianti: July 15, 24, and 29.
August
- Fri, Aug 7 — "Ciccia e Vino" at Parco delle Casce (7:30 PM) and Carpe Diem concert (9:00 PM).
- Sun, Aug 9 – Mon, Aug 10 — "Calici d'Italia" and "Calici di Stelle": wine tastings and street food; Philharmonic concert (August 10).
- Sun, Aug 23 — "L'Apparecchiata", community charity dinner (7:30 PM).
- Mon, Aug 24 — Via delle Mura: Watermelon Fair Market.
September
- Mon, Sept 7 — Rificolona Festival, lantern parade (9:15 PM).
- Sun, Sept 13 — Running race through the vineyards.
- Sept 18-20 — 43rd Chianti Cup.
- Sat, Sept 19 — Last "Il Sabato nel Villaggio" of the season.
Highlights Summer in Castellina 2026
Prices Summer in Castellina 2026
Practical information — Summer in Castellina
Where
Events take place in the historic center of Castellina in Chianti (SI): Piazza del Comune, Parco delle Casce, Via delle Volte, Church of the SS. Salvatore, and the Archaeological Museum of the Sienese Chianti.
How to get there
By car: Castellina in Chianti can be reached from the Florence-Siena highway (Tavarnelle or San Donato exit) along the SR222 "Chiantigiana." The nearest train station is in Castellina Scalo and Siena, then continue by bus or car.
Information
Municipality of Castellina in Chianti, Viale Rimembranza 14 — tel. +39 0577 742311. Full program and updates on the Municipality's website. Most events have free admission.
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Where does it take place — Summer in Castellina
Centro storico di Castellina in Chianti
Piazza del Comune, 53011 Castellina in Chianti