Tuscany in summer gives the best of itself, with long sunny days, amazing landscapes and cultural events! The summer is filled with annual events focusing on music in all of its forms from classical to jazz, from rock to contemporary.
Below you will find a mini-catalog of upcoming music festivals that include concerts of every type: outdoor, indoor, historic locations, contemporary theaters, free and entrance fees - you name it and you will find it in the list below that recur every Tuscan summer, with dates updated for 2023!
Lucca Summer Festival
June 29 - July 28, 2023
Coming to the Festival?
Then a stay in Lucca would be ideal, so that you can explore the town in the day and then have the night to listen to the music.
The Lucca Summer Festival represents the main event in Tuscany, taking place every year in the historical center of Lucca in Piazza Napoleone and boasting the presence of some of the most influential international artists of the current musical panorama. It starts normally at the end of June and it runs all July long.
This edition has, once again, a fabulous program with important names on the national and international scene including Norah Jones, Robbie Williams, OneRepublic, Simply Red, the Chemical Brothers and more.
To get more information about the Lucca Summer Festival browse the official website here.
How to get there
By car: take the highway A11 (Florence-Pisa), exit "Lucca Est". The city offers many parking lots, some are free, some are paid. You can reach Piazza Napoleone with the shuttle service.
By train: from the station Pisa, Florence and La Spezia in Liguria, you can easily reach Lucca.
Pistoia Blues
July 5 - 12, 2023
Explore Pistoia
Explore the city and use it as a base to nearby towns, including Lucca in one direction, Florence in the other. Pistoia is perfect if you don't want to rent a car but want to explore the main sights in Tuscany.
The first edition of the Pistoia Blues dates back to 1980. Since then, it has presented a rich calendar dedicated to blues and rock music. It takes place every year in July.
While Pistoia is generally not among the most visited or as well-known as other Tuscan towns, it offers a splendid setting for its concerts held in Piazza Duomo with the magnificent Cathedral of San Zeno towering over the stage and bleachers.
From the very beginning, many important artists have and continue to perform on the stage of Pistoia Blues - this 2023, the program includes Steve Hackett, Fiorella Mannoia e Damien Rice, among others. Check out the program on the official site.
How to get there
By car: take the Highway A1 ( Milan-Rome), exit "Firenze Nord", then take the A11 in direction "Viareggio", exit "Pistoia".
By train: From the S.M. Novella Station take trains in direction Prato, Pistoia, Montecatini, Lucca, and get off in Pistoia.
Festival Puccini
July 14 - August 26, 2023
Tuscany's Puccini Festival meet everyone's expectations, from those who want to experience a Puccini opera for the first time to those that love his operas. This year's theme - youth - guides the selections, looking to the future as we celebrate the European Year of Youth and an Italian, Pasolini, who spoke to the young and to which he dedicated much of his art.
The festival thus includes 4 operas from Puccini’s repertoire, 2 symphonic concerts and other performances throughout the territory.
Are you a Puccini Fan?
Then we highly recommend you stay in the area and fully enjoy exploring the area, including Puccini's house in Lucca and the Massaciuccoli lake.
All will enjoy the beautiful performances taking place in Torre del Lago from July through August at the "Gran Teatro All'Aperto", the outdoor theater stage with Lake Massaciuccoli in the background.
The most acclaimed names in opera have taken part in the numerous editions of the festival which are attended by people from all over the world. Visit the official website for program and info on tickets.
How to get there
By car: take the Highway A11 (Firenze-Mare), exit "Migliarino", then follow indications to Torre del Lago Puccini. Or, highway A11 and then highway A12 direction Viareggio, exit "Viareggio" and follow indications to Torre del Lago.
By train: Torre del Lago hasn't a train station, so it's necessary getting off the train in Viareggio and then taking a bus to Torre del Lago. More detailed timetables on the Trenitalia website.
Seravezza Blues Festival
July 20 - 23, 2023
The Versilia Coast
Stay along the Versilia coast to get a chance to relax at the beach as well as explore with day trips to the mountains.
In its 8th year, the Blues Festival draws thousands from the area to visit the small mountain town between the Apuan Alps and the Versilia coast and hosted at the Palazzo Mediceo. Four nights with music but also with theater and dance performances this year. A childrens area will permit kids to construct small works of art, while a shuttle service from the Querceta train station on Saturday and Sunday. FREE ENTRANCE.
Check out the official website for program and news.
How to get there
The best way is to drive from the Versilia coast up to Querceta, leave car and take shuttle.
Capraia Festival
July 6 - 15 and August 25 - 30, 2023
Tuscany on the Beach
If you've never stayed along the coast in Tuscany, this is your chance! Take a look at our top coastal picks, but also explore and find out where you'd like to base yourself to explore!
Since its first edition, the Festival adopted the spirit of Capraia: relaxed, informal and spontaneous. The public has the opportunity to attend excellent musical concerts over 2 separate weeks in July and August by national and international artists and, at the same time, is invited to become familiar with the natural wonders of the island with planned hiking+concert. The concerts are are hosted in the Church of Sant'Antonio, a magical and splendid place that opens the doors specifically for the Festival
For the complete festival program, check out the official website.
How to get there
The best way in and out of this island is by ferry from Livorno: Traghetto Toremar - takes about 2.5hr to arrive, advice is to spend a night or two at Capraia.
Terre di Arezzo Music Festival
July 12 - September 7, 2023
Over 20 concerts in some of the most beautiful historical locations across the city of Arezzo and its province, from the Arezzo cathedral to the Castello di Valenzano in Subbiano, from the Palazzo d'Arnolfo in San Giovanni valdarno to the Auditorium of S. Chiara in Sansepolcro. The music festival revolves around classical and chamber music throughout time, with its many styles as well as interactions with jazz and tango, just as an example, and with other arts inlcuding cinema, theater and dance. It will include concerts from the Arezzo Organ Festival as well. All shows are free entrance.
Explore Arezzo
What is there to do in Arezzo and surroundings? Take a look at the section on our site, then take a look at where you can stay in the area.
For the complete program, check out the official website.
How to get there
By car: take the Highway A1 (Florence-Naples), exit "Arezzo": the city center is only at 10 minutes driving distance.
By train: Arezzo is located on the train line connecting Bologna to Roma; from Florence and Roma there are many trains leaving to Arezzo. More detailed information on the Trenitalia website.
Estate Fiesolana
June 15 - September 13, 2023
Where to stay in Fiesole & Florence
Check out what there is to see and do in Fiesole, as well as where to stay in the area by following the link below.
The Estate Fiesolana is another musical - but not only - festival in Tuscany during summer. The program offers many events ranging from music to cinema to theatre, all taking place at the Roman Theater within the Archaeological Site in Fiesole.
Spectators can listen to classic, jazz, gospel, pop and rock music concerts from a wide range of genres, surrounded by very special setting: Fiesole, a Roman jewel set on the hills above Florence, from which is only 6 km.
For the complete program with links to buy tickets, check out the official site and check out our article.
How to get there
By car: Highway A11 (Firenze-Mare) or A1 (Florence-Naples), exit "Firenze Nord", then follow indications to the city centers and stadium/Fiesole (exit "Firenze Sud": follow indications to stadium/Fiesole).
By bus: From the left exit of Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence, go to P.zza Adua for taking a bus to Piazza S. Marco: there are buses leaving to Fiesole every 20 minutes. More info on the Autolinee Toscane web site.
Prato ESTATE
June 6 - August 10, 2023
The summer festival for Prato offering events and interesting cultural initiatives that include music, literature, theater, cinema and books. The rich calendar includes over 130 dates already, running over the summer months until September. Concerts from jazz to pop to classical music take place in different locations in the city of Prato, including the gardens in the historical center, the Amphitheatre of the Center for the Contemporary Art L. Pecci, Palazzo Datini and the Castle of the Emperor.
The complete program is available on the PratoEstate site.
How to get there
By car: take the Highway A1 (Florence-Naples) or A11 (Firenze-Mare), exit "Prato est/Prato ovest".
By train: There are many trains leaving to Prato from the train stations of Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and Viareggio; get off at Prato Centrale or Prato Porta al Serraglio. More detailed information on the Trenitalia website.
Il Serchio delle Muse
July 18 - September 26, 2023
The Garfagnana
Read our tips on visiting the Garfagnana valley and, once you realize you want to stay in the area, follow the link below to check accommodations across Garfagnana.
A lyrical Festival with an interesting and varied calendar of operas, concerts and international artists. Shows are planned in different locations of the Media Valle del Serchio and the Garfagnana areas, immersed within locations of rare beauty, including the Rossi Refuge on the Apuan Alps, to mention just one. We are looking forward to see this year's program as soon as it will be published!
The complete program will available on the Serchio delle Muse website site.
How to get there
By car: take the Highway A1 (Florence-Naples) and A11 (Firenze-Mare), exit "Capannori" or "Lucca", then follow indications to Lucca, Garfagnana (State Road SS 445).
By train: There's a train station in Barga called "Barga - Gallicano" on the train line connecting Lucca to Aulla. To get to Barga, there are trains leaving from Lucca and Pisa Centrale. More detailed information on the Trenitalia website.
Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte Montepulciano
July 14 - 3, 2023
Learn more about Montepulciano
What is there to see and do in Montepulciano, aside from the cultural events cited above? Take a look at our article and then think about staying there!
This manifestation, in its 47th year now, is a festival featuring the wonderful, creative interaction between internationally renowned artists and young singers, musicians, composers from national and European schools of music. High-quality music that includes classical, jazz, opera, chamber and symphonic concerts, along with operas, contemporary ballets and much, much more. Events will be taking place in some of the most amazing, charming locations in the province of Siena: from Montepulciano to Sarteano and Cetona, from Castelmuzio to Torrita di Siena, Chianciano Terme and Sinalunga.
For the detailed program check out the official site.
How to get there
By car: if you come from North, take The highway A1 and exit at Bettolle; pass on the small town and follow indications to Torrita di Siena first and then Montepulciano. If you come from South, take highway A1 and exit at Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, pass on Chianciano And follow road signs to Montepulciano.
By train: There's a train station in Montepulciano that is situated on the line connecting Empoli to Siena and Chiusi. The closest rail station located on the main train line connecting Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Milan is Chianciano Terme; once got there, take the regional train to Siena and get down at Montepulciano. More detailed information on the Trenitalia website.
Lucignano Music Festival
July 20-23, 2023
Four days of great music for the Lucignano Music Festival in between "la dolce vita" in Tuscany and the beauty of this small medieval hamlet, where music has the power to unite people in a unique way, creating a "family" between the artists, the locals and visitors to the festival. And thus the festival in its third year is called A Family Affair.
It is aptly named considering all of the artists arrive in pairs or couples: by marriage (Irene Abrigo and Jürg Dähler, Enrico Bronzi and Francesca Sperandeo), consolidated partnets (Gran Duo Italiano) and father/son pair (Lorenzo and Michael Riessler). Only by personally attending the concerts will you be able to witness the extraordinary complicity that unites the artists, rendering them capable of creating an emotional and unforgetable experience.
A new offering for 2023 are the Festival Passes to have you join in these unique experiences. The passes are packages that include the concerts as well as a gourmet or traditioanl dinner, depending on the day you can attend. On Sunday, for example, the dinner is with the artists.
The festival will highlight the small town of Lucignano, in southern Tuscany, which merits exploring, especially on summer evenings. Check the schedule and ticket information on the official website.
Barga Jazz
July 15 - August 28, 2023 - contest August 17-18
The Garfagnana
Read our Insider tips for visiting the Garfagnana... and once you realize you want to stay in the area, follow the link below to check accommodations across Garfagnana, Barga included.
The start of the Jazz festival begins with Jazz for Dinner in collaboration with restaurants combining good food with great music. The festival/contest started in 1986 as a composition contest for jazz orchestras, and dedicated itself to a particular artist important in the history of jazz. Since 2000, the festival has changed course, inviting an important artist, who is still actively performing to come to play with the BargaJazz. The orchestra and the compositions played at the festival are specially created for the performer.
For the complete program, check out bargajazz.it.
This area also borders Lucca, Lunigiana and is close to the mountains of Abetone. So you could stay in the area and do day trips to these other areas, or stay in Lucca or Lunigiana and plan on making it to Barga for one of the events.
How to Get there: We have a whole article on how to get to Barga.
Naturalmente Pianoforte
July 21 - 23 and August 12, 2023
The Casentino
We have a whole section dedicated to the Casentino area in eastern Tuscany. It's a great area for anyone who loves castles and the outdoors, as well as looking for a place away from the crowds. Once you see how cool it is, you might decide you want to base yourself in this area and go exploring. Take a look below at places that offer direct booking.
The piano is its own special world, and Camaldoli, Chiudi della Verna, the Castle in Poppi, Pratovecchio's Castello di Romena invite you to enjoy the varied sounds and emotions that it provides in a series of natural and historic settings. You will be delighted with the fantastic combination of classical and contemporary artists, this year integrated with dance, installations and "animated readings" for the smaller ones in the heart of Casentino.
Check out the official website to read about the Festival and this year's program.
How to get there
By car: From Florence, head east follow signs toward Pontassieve and then on Passo alla Consuma. From the south, exit Arezzo and follow signs toward Bibbiena, Casentino, and Pratovecchio.
By train: Regular trains from Arezzo to local towns. There are also buses that leave from Florence SMN station.
Manciano Street Music Festival
July 14-16 and 20-22, 2023
With street parades one weekend and live concerts on another, you can have your pick of festive and joyful atmosphere you want to enjoy at this charming hilltop town in Maremma. There will also be stands with culinary products and some of the greatest of locally handcrafted wonders. Check out the website for more details.
Musical Evenings at the Amphitheater @Chianti Sculpture Park
July 4 - August 29, 2023
Great Places to Stay Nearby in Chianti
If you're interested in staying in the area, we love the area around Castellina. Click below to see accommodations nearby, book direct with the owner.
Every Tuesday from July though August, the magical sculpture garden opens its doors and the garden for a series of summer concerts. The park is particularly well-suited for sparking the imagination: the permanent exhibition of contemporary sculptures are integrated into a mystic forest of oaks and holm oaks which you can visit before the concert, or just pay for the concert.
You can read our review of the Chianti Sculpture Park in Chianti and also check out the Events page on their site to see this summer's program.
Where to stay in Tuscany
If you are looking for an accommodation which allows you to easily reach the festivals and at the same time explore the surrounding area, visit Tuscany Accommodation where you'll find listings of the best lodgings in Tuscany divided by city, position, type of property and services. It is the perfect way to find the best accommodation for your vacation in Tuscany!
Dates of concerts and festivals
For additional information on festivals and other events, check out our Discover Tuscany Blog where we post a list of current events, with more information and dates and our monthly calendars for June, July, and August.
Author's Note: This article was last updated on July 14, 2023. Please check official websites we've linked to confirm dates and program details.
