The Red Night

A red-colored night in the heart of Tuscany

The Red Night is one of the most evocative cultural events in the summer calendar of Volterra, an ancient Etruscan city perched in the hills of the province of Pisa, in Tuscany. Every year, on the second Saturday of September, the town transforms into a widespread stage: the historic center lights up with lights, sounds, and colors, and red becomes the common thread of an evening designed to rediscover the city through the style of slowness.

Red, from sunsets to Rosso Fiorentino

The event's name celebrates red in all its shades: the warm color of the sunsets that ignite the walls and stone palaces of Volterra, but also passion, fire, and wine. Above all, the event pays homage to the Deposition from the Cross by Rosso Fiorentino, a Mannerist masterpiece preserved in Volterra, where vibrant red dominates the scene. Art, history, and local identity thus intertwine in an emotional journey.

Shows every half hour, from location to location

The heart of the Red Night is its itinerant formula. Every thirty minutes, in different locations scattered throughout the historic center, musical performances, readings, and short theatrical adaptations come to life. Visitors are invited to move from one place to another, discovering or rediscovering squares, alleys, churches, palaces, and private residences that open their doors, courtyards, and gardens for the occasion.

• Civic museums open for free
• Light installations in dialogue with the architecture
• Mini-concerts, readings, and short theatrical performances
• Widespread photographic and artistic interventions
• Temporary exhibitions
• Closing concert in Piazza dei Priori

A choral and free event

The Red Night is organized by the Volterra Valdicecina Valdera Tourist Consortium under the patronage of the Municipality of Volterra, in collaboration with local entities and city musical groups. Its success depends on the contribution of many Volterra residents, who make their homes, gardens, and skills available: an authentic community event. Admission to the entire event is free, and the evening continues late into the night, giving residents and tourists, both Italian and foreign, an experience that has made this appointment a classic capable of selling out agritourisms, B&Bs, and hotels in the area.