Toscana Music Festival - International Choir and Orchestra Festival

An international choral festival in the heart of Tuscany

The Toscana Music Festival is one of the most highly regarded international choral and orchestral events of the Tuscan summer. Now in its 16th edition in 2026, the event takes place in Montecatini Terme, an elegant spa town in the province of Pistoia, attracting choirs and orchestras from various European countries every year. The festival is organized by MRF MusicFestivals, an organization specializing in music festivals for amateur and youth ensembles.

The venues: between Art Nouveau thermal architecture and sacred art

Concerts are held in two iconic landmarks of Montecatini Terme. The first is the Terme Tettuccio, a jewel of Italian thermal architecture, featuring colonnades, ceramic decorations, and monumental spaces surrounded by greenery. The second is the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, which, with its acoustics and intimate atmosphere, provides the ideal setting for sacred and polyphonic repertoires. Performing in these environments is a deeply moving experience for all participants.

Choirs, orchestras, and participation options

The festival is open to a wide variety of groups: mixed adult choirs, male choirs, female choirs, children's and youth choirs, as well as orchestras and instrumental ensembles. There are both competitive options, evaluated by a jury of experts, and non-competitive options for those who wish to perform and share their music without the pressure of a contest. The number and type of concerts vary each year based on the registered groups.

More than just a competition: exchange and cultural tourism

Beyond the musical performances, the program leaves plenty of room for exploring the region. Between rehearsals and concerts, participants have time to enjoy the thermal spas and take excursions to the great art cities of Tuscany: Florence, Siena, Lucca, and Pisa are all easily accessible from Montecatini. The festival thus becomes an opportunity for musicians of different nationalities to meet and immerse themselves in the region's cultural heritage.

A summer highlight for the spa town

For Montecatini Terme, the Toscana Music Festival is a key part of a summer calendar packed with events, helping to strengthen the city's international appeal. The presence of foreign choirs and orchestras brings the historic venues to life and offers residents and tourists free access to concerts, creating a dialogue between thermal tradition and live music that has defined the Valdinievole summer for years.