Sunset Music
Acoustic concerts at sunset at the Croce di Monte Pendolo, overlooking the Gulf of Naples
About Sunset Music
A natural stage above the Gulf of Naples
Sunset Music is the summer series of acoustic concerts organized by the Municipality of Pimonte, in the province of Naples, at the Croce di Monte Pendolo, one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Lattari Mountains. At an altitude of about 618 meters, the view captures Mount Vesuvius, the entire Gulf of Naples, and, on clear days, the silhouettes of Ischia and Procida in a single glance. There is no built stage: the mountain itself is the stage, and the sun setting behind the sea is the curtain.
The concept is simple and effective: bring a few instruments, strictly acoustic, to a place that needs no scenery. No intrusive amplification, no special effects. Just the sound drifting through the evening air, the whisper of the wind on the Lattari, and an audience seated on rustic chairs, often with a cushion, in a silence that becomes part of the performance.
A festival that has grown year after year
Launched in 2023 as a small experiment to promote the local area, the festival has become the most recognizable cultural event in Pimonte in just a few seasons. From the first isolated concerts at the end of summer, it has evolved into a three-month program, with a lineup that reaches fourteen evenings in 2026. It is a journey built together with the Pro Loco Pimonte and the Pimonte Oasi Verde tourism promotion project, which focuses on hiking, landscape, and culture as drivers of development for a town of just over six thousand inhabitants.
The music you will hear
The program favors small ensembles—solos and duos, with the occasional string trio—and a repertoire that spans multiple styles without being confined to a single genre:
- Solo piano and piano-sax duos, the most frequent format of the festival
- Harp, in one of the most intimate evenings of the program
- String trios, ranging from classical repertoire to contemporary interpretations
- Guitar in dialogue with saxophone or flute, with forays into jazz and Mediterranean sounds
- Brass and strings: trumpet, violin, cello
Previous seasons have ranged from classical music to jazz, folk, and contemporary music, with constant attention to musicians from the Vesuvius and Stabia areas.
Music and beyond
Starting with the 2026 edition, the festival has opened a dialogue with the visual arts: during the piano recital on June 20th, the work The Pianist (2012) by master Luigi Gentile was presented, displayed next to the piano, and subsequently donated to the new Municipal Library of Pimonte. A gesture that perfectly captures the spirit of the initiative: the musical evening as an opportunity for cultural sharing for the community, not just as a tourist event.
Pimonte, gateway to the Lattari Mountains
Pimonte is located in Campania, in the province of Naples, on the ridge that separates the Vesuvius side from the Amalfi Coast. It is a mountain town a few kilometers from Castellammare di Stabia and the Sorrento Peninsula, crossed by a dense network of trails that climb toward Monte Pendolo, Monte Cerreto, and the Molare. This pivotal position, between two of Italy's most famous landscapes, explains the charm of the festival: you listen to a concert in the mountains, but with the sea in front of you.
Those who climb to the Croce di Monte Pendolo for the first time often discover a second reason to return: the viewpoint is accessible on foot all year round and is a regular destination for hikers and landscape photography enthusiasts. In this sense, the Sunset Music evenings are also an invitation to discover a part of Campania that is less traveled compared to the coastal destinations.
Free admission, limited seating
All concerts are free, but the capacity of the viewpoint is limited and booking is mandatory via the online portal indicated by the organizers. A refreshment point is available on site. The evenings take place outdoors and may be postponed or canceled in case of bad weather: it is always advisable to check the official channels of the Municipality and Pimonte Oasi Verde before setting off.
Sunset Music — edition 2026
Sunset Music 2026: the fourth edition
The 2026 edition is the largest ever held: fourteen free concerts distributed between late May and early August, all at the Croce di Monte Pendolo, the Lattari Mountains viewpoint overlooking Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. The format remains the one that made the festival recognizable: small acoustic ensembles, no scenery, and the sunset as the true director of the evening.
The lineup alternates piano and sax duos, solo recitals, string trios, and rarer combinations such as guitar and flute or piano and cello. The evening of June 20th had a special character: the piano recital by master Francesco Ruocco was accompanied by the presentation of the work The Pianist by Luigi Gentile, which was later donated to the new Municipal Library of Pimonte.
The organization is handled by the Municipality of Pimonte with the Pro Loco Pimonte, as part of the Pimonte Oasi Verde territorial promotion project. Admission is free but seats are limited: online booking is mandatory and a nominative access ticket is issued.
Programme Sunset Music 2026
The calendar of the fourteen concerts
- Saturday, May 23 — Gerardo Di Nola and Mario Coppola (piano and sax)
- Sunday, May 31 — Francesco Ruocco and Gigi Patierno (piano, sax, harmonica, and flute)
- Saturday, June 6 — Gianluca Marino and Alfredo Intagliato (guitar and sax)
- Saturday, June 13 — Eugenio Solla and Alfredo Iovine (piano and sax)
- Sunday, June 14 — Gianluca Rovinello (harp)
- Saturday, June 20 — Francesco Ruocco (piano), with presentation of the work The Pianist by Luigi Gentile
- Sunday, June 28 — Elek3 Strings (string trio)
- Saturday, July 4 — Emanuele Gentile and Giovanni Sanarico (piano and cello)
- Sunday, July 5 — Sossio Arciprete and Vincenzo Laudiero (guitar and flute)
- Sunday, July 12 — Evo Strings (string trio)
- Saturday, July 18 — Catello Saggese and Giuseppe Alfano (piano and trumpet)
- Sunday, July 26 — Antonio Onorato and Gianni D'Argenzio (guitar and sax)
- Saturday, August 1 — Daniele Magnete and Antonio Mazza (piano and violin)
- Sunday, August 9 — Gianni Fusco (sax)
The concerts take place in the evening, coinciding with the sunset. The shuttle service from Piazza Roma is active from about an hour before the start until about an hour after the end of the evening, with progressive numbers distributed upon arrival.
The program may be subject to changes in case of bad weather: it is advisable to check for updates on official channels before leaving.
Highlights Sunset Music 2026
- Fourteen free concerts from May to August, the richest lineup of the four editions
- The Croce di Monte Pendolo viewpoint at 618 meters, with views of Vesuvius, the Gulf of Naples, Ischia, and Procida
- Only acoustic instruments: piano, sax, harp, strings, guitar, flute, trumpet, and violin
- The June 20th evening with the recital by Francesco Ruocco and the work The Pianist by Luigi Gentile
- Rustic seating with cushions, refreshment point, and intimate atmosphere
- Shuttle from Piazza Roma and hiking trail for those who prefer to walk up
Prices Sunset Music 2026
Practical information — Sunset Music
Location
Croce di Monte Pendolo, Pimonte (NA), Lattari Mountains, approximately 618 meters above sea level. The viewpoint is not accessible by car up to the concert area.
How to get there
- By car: A3 Naples-Salerno motorway, exit at Castellammare di Stabia, then take the SS366 towards Agerola until you reach Pimonte. Use the Belvedere parking lot, from which you continue on foot for about 10 minutes.
- By shuttle: service from Piazza Roma on scheduled dates, with a minimum voluntary contribution of 1.50 euros per person per trip; from the stop, it is about a 4-minute walk. The shuttle runs from about an hour before the start until about an hour after the end of the concert, with numbers distributed upon arrival.
- On foot: from Piazza Roma, you can hike to the viewpoint in about 35 minutes along the trail.
- By train: Circumvesuviana station in Castellammare di Stabia, then bus to Pimonte.
Bookings and costs
Free admission with mandatory online booking (limited seats). Parking is subject to a fee; the shuttle requires a contribution of 1.50 euros. Refreshment point available on site.
Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes: the last stretch is on an unpaved path.
- Bring a light jacket: at this altitude, the evening temperature drops significantly.
- Arrive early to enjoy the sunset before the concert begins.
- Check official announcements in case of uncertain weather forecasts.
Contacts
Info and bookings: pimonteoasiverde.it — [email protected] — tel. +39 339 7476254
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 — Sunset Music
Croce di Monte Pendolo
Località Croce di Monte Pendolo, 80050 Pimonte