Youth Festival

A half-century-long tradition

The Youth Festival in Monsigliolo, a small hamlet in the municipality of Cortona in the province of Arezzo, is one of the most deeply rooted summer festivals in the Valdichiana. Organized by the local Circolo R.C.S., the event has been kicking off the Cortona summer season for decades with evenings dedicated to great food, live music, and social gatherings. In 2026, the festival reaches a major milestone: its 50th edition, scheduled from Saturday, June 27th, to Sunday, July 5th.

Gastronomy: Chianina takes center stage

The heart of the festival is its table. Every evening, starting at 8:00 PM, the pizzeria and restaurant open, offering traditional Tuscan products. The undisputed queen of the menu is the locally sourced Chianina PGI beef, raised in the Valdichiana and served in classic grilled dishes, paired with local Syrah wine. The menu also features fresh homemade pasta with Chianina ragù, pizzas, and, on Friday, July 3rd, and Saturday, July 4th, fish-based dinners. The closing night on Sunday, July 5th, is dedicated to the traditional goose dinner, a historic dish of the festival for which reservations are recommended.

The 2026 program

Alongside the gastronomy, every evening offers entertainment and dancing. From 9:00 PM, the briscola tournament takes place, while from 9:30 PM, orchestras and shows take the stage:

• Saturday, June 27 – Marianna Lanteri Orchestra
• Sunday, June 28 – Vintage car and motorcycle rally (from 9:00 AM) and Etrusco Sound Orchestra
• Monday, June 29 – Vernacular comedy play "Na Quischjone Dilicheta"
• Tuesday, June 30 – "Walking towards the sunset" (from 7:30 PM) and Alessio Giannetti Band
• Wednesday, July 1 – Manuel Malanotte Orchestra
• Thursday, July 2 – Live show "Voglio tornare negli anni '90"
• Friday, July 3 – DJ Cranium and fish-based dinner
• Saturday, July 4 – Matteo Tarantino Orchestra and fish-based dinner
• Sunday, July 5 – Traditional goose dinner and I Matteo Orchestra

A popular and free event

The Youth Festival preserves the authentic spirit of a village fair: admission to almost all events is free, and the festival is designed for families and those seeking a genuine experience of Tuscan tradition. Between the ballroom dancing, gastronomic evenings, and the warm hospitality of the Circolo, Monsigliolo becomes a meeting point for nine days for the inhabitants of the Valdichiana and the many tourists visiting Cortona and its surroundings in summer.

Cortona and the Valdichiana

The setting is that of the most authentic Tuscany: Monsigliolo is located at the foot of the hill of Cortona, an Etruscan city of art overlooking the Valdichiana. A visit to the festival is the ideal opportunity to discover a territory famous for its landscapes, wines, and the excellence of its Chianina beef, far from the most crowded tourist circuits.