10 Italian Summer Festivals to Watch in 2021
After months of restrictions, Italy's summer festival season returns with a diverse lineup spanning music, film, performing arts, and contemporary art. The 25th edition of Elba Isola Musicale d'Europa runs from August 26 to September 12 across all municipalities of Elba, featuring violoncellist Giovanni Gnocchi with Mario Brunello and Jing Zhao on September 10 at Porto Azzurro prison, plus jazz performances by Tcha Limberger (August 29) and Fabrizio Bosso (September 6). The MACO Festival at Paestum's Clouds Arena (August 9–September 10) hosts Manu Chao. Levanto Music Festival celebrates 30 years with concerts through September 12. Nòt Film Fest in Santarcangelo (August 24–29) brings independent cinema. Cinema Galleggiante returns to Venice's Giudecca lagoon (August 20–September 4) with floating screenings. Orizzonti Verticali in San Gimignano (August 20–22) features Irene Pittatore's performance and video installation. Villa Pennisi in Musica in Acireale (through August 13) premieres a multidisciplinary work by Ezio Bosso. Varie Azioni debuts in Rotondi (August 27–29) with site-specific installations. Sponz Fest in Calitri (August 25–29) is curated by Vinicio Capossela. Sparks Festival in Putignano (August 27–28) focuses on contemporary music and site-specific art.
Key facts
- Elba Isola Musicale d'Europa 25th edition runs August 26–September 12, 2021
- Giovanni Gnocchi, Mario Brunello, and Jing Zhao perform at Porto Azzurro prison on September 10
- MACO Festival at Paestum features Manu Chao from August 9 to September 10
- Levanto Music Festival celebrates 30 years through September 12
- Nòt Film Fest in Santarcangelo runs August 24–29, 2021
- Cinema Galleggiante in Venice runs August 20–September 4 on a floating platform
- Orizzonti Verticali in San Gimignano runs August 20–22 with Irene Pittatore's works
- Villa Pennisi in Musica premieres Ezio Bosso's multidisciplinary work through August 13
- Varie Azioni first edition in Rotondi runs August 27–29 with site-specific installations
- Sponz Fest in Calitri runs August 25–29, curated by Vinicio Capossela
- Sparks Festival in Putignano runs August 27–28 with contemporary music and art
Entities
Artists
- Giovanni Gnocchi
- Mario Brunello
- Jing Zhao
- Tcha Limberger
- Fabrizio Bosso
- George Edelman
- Manu Chao
- Massimo Amfiteatrof
- Ziganoff
- Bellanöva
- Max Manfredi
- Noemi Bruschi
- Alizé Latini
- Giovanni Labadessa
- Edoardo Aruta
- Paolo Rosso
- Tuccio Guicciardini
- Patrizia de Bari
- Irene Pittatore
- Lisa Parola
- Francesco Pennisi
- Beatrice Rana
- Alessandro Carbonare
- Ezio Bosso
- Sergio Pone
- Luigi Mainolfi
- Marco Amore
- Alessandro Canzian
- Perino&Vele
- Lello Torchia
- Luigi Auriemma
- Mario Ciaramella
- Vinicio Capossela
- Dino Frittoli
- Bora
- Giuseppe Sportelli
Institutions
- Elba Isola Musicale d'Europa
- MACO Festival
- Levanto Music Festival
- Nòt Film Fest
- Cinema Galleggiante
- Microclima
- Ocean Space – TBA21–Academy
- Pentagram Stiftung
- Palazzo Grassi – Punta della Dogana – Pinault Collection
- Fondazione In Between Art Film
- Lamyland – Owenscorp
- Orizzonti Verticali
- Galleria Raffaella De Chirico Arte Contemporanea
- Galleria Continua
- Fondazione CRT
- Villa Pennisi in Musica
- Nuova Consonanza
- Sestetto Stradivari
- Comune di Rotondi
- Altre Voci
- Samuele Editore
- Sponz Fest
- Campania Artecard
- Sparks Festival
- Associazione SPARKS
- Libreria Lik & Lak
- Artribune
Locations
- Elba
- Italy
- Villa San Martino
- Porto Azzurro
- Capoliveri
- Rio
- Portoferraio
- Marciana
- Paestum
- Salerno
- Cilento
- Levanto
- Santarcangelo di Romagna
- Venice
- Giudecca
- San Gimignano
- Siena
- Acireale
- Rotondi
- Avellino
- Calitri
- Irpinia
- Putignano
- Murgia
- Puglia
- Paris
- Los Angeles