Summer in Noto – NotOn
The Noto summer featuring major concerts, cinema, culture, and performances at the foot of the Baroque Cathedral
About NotOn
NotOn, the summer of Noto
NotOn is the comprehensive program through which the Municipality of Noto (Province of Syracuse, Sicily) organizes the city's entire summer schedule. From the second half of July until October, the calendar offers concerts, film festivals, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, sporting events, and moments tied to folk traditions, involving not only the historic center but also the Lido di Noto and the districts of the Noto territory.
Major concerts in Piazza Municipio
The most popular heart of NotOn is the series of musical evenings hosted in Piazza Municipio, at the foot of the monumental Cathedral of San Nicolò staircase. The setting of the Sicilian late-Baroque, a UNESCO World Heritage site, transforms every concert into a unique scenic experience, where the illuminated facade of the cathedral serves as a natural backdrop for the stage. Over the years, national and international artists have performed here, drawing large crowds of both residents and tourists.
A multidisciplinary program
Alongside the concerts, NotOn hosts a rich and varied program. Recurring events include the historic classical music festival NotoMusica, the Noto International Film Festival dedicated to cinema, the Codex Festival, and numerous art exhibitions set up in the city's monumental spaces. These are joined by high-profile events such as the Frecce Tricolori air shows at the Lido di Noto and concerts by brass bands, which enliven the beginning of the summer.
Noto, capital of the Baroque
Rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake, Noto is considered the capital of the Sicilian late-Baroque, and since 2002, its historic center has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Churches, palaces, and staircases in golden stone provide a natural backdrop for NotOn, making the summer season an opportunity to experience the city during one of its most vibrant and participatory phases.
- Where: Noto (SR), Piazza Municipio, Cathedral staircase, Lido di Noto, and surrounding districts
- When: From July to October, with main concerts in August
- Organization: Municipality of Noto – Tourism, Heritage, and Cultural Policies Department
- Admission: Many events are free; main concerts require a ticket
NotOn — edition 2026
NotOn 2026: great music in Piazza Municipio
The summer of 2026 in Noto lights up with a concert program hosted in the evocative setting of Piazza Municipio, at the foot of the Cathedral of San Nicolò staircase. Three headline events have been announced by the municipal administration:
- Raf – Sunday, August 10, 2026, at 9:00 PM, with the Infinito – Summer 2026 tour, retracing over forty years of his career.
- Mario Biondi – Sunday, August 16, 2026, as part of the celebratory tour for the 20th anniversary of the track This Is What You Are.
- K-Pop Dream – Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 8:45 PM, an International Tribute Show dedicated to the K-Pop phenomenon, held for the first time in Noto.
The rest of the program
NotOn 2026 is not limited to concerts: the Noto summer begins in late June with concerts by the Italian Air Force band and the Noto Air Show featuring the Frecce Tricolori at the Lido di Noto, while the Noto International Film Festival is scheduled from August 3rd to 9th. Tickets for the main concerts are on sale through official pre-sale channels. Mayor Corrado Figura has announced that the calendar may be enriched with further events in the following weeks.
Programme NotOn 2026
- June 25, 8:30 PM – Italian Air Force Band Concert, Piazza Municipio
- June 27, 6:30 PM – Italian Air Force Band Concert, Piazzale Belvedere – Lido di Noto
- June 28 – Noto Air Show with the Frecce Tricolori (only Sicilian stop), Lido di Noto
- August 3-9 – Noto International Film Festival (NIFF), Baroque Museum Complex
- August 10, 9:00 PM – Raf, 'Infinito – Summer 2026' tour, Cathedral staircase
- August 16 – Mario Biondi, 20th anniversary tour 'This Is What You Are'
- August 23, 8:45 PM – K-Pop Dream International Tribute Show, Cathedral staircase
Highlights NotOn 2026
- Raf in concert at the foot of the Cathedral (August 10)
- Mario Biondi for the 20th anniversary of 'This Is What You Are' (August 16)
- K-Pop Dream International Tribute Show, first edition in Noto (August 23)
- Noto Air Show with the Frecce Tricolori at the Lido di Noto
Prices NotOn 2026
Practical information — NotOn
How to get there
By car: Catania-Syracuse motorway, then SS115 towards Noto. By train: Noto station on the Syracuse-Ragusa-Gela line. Nearest airport: Catania-Fontanarossa (about 90 minutes).
Tickets
Many events in the NotOn program have free admission. The main concerts in Piazza Municipio are ticketed, with tickets available through official pre-sale systems. It is recommended to check dates and availability on the Municipality of Noto's channels.
Tips
The historic center is pedestrianized: it is best to park in the outer areas. During high season (August), it is advisable to book accommodation in advance.
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 — NotOn
Piazza Municipio (Scalinata della Cattedrale di San Nicolò)