Music Festivals in Florence in 2022

Florence, the city of many things, is also the host of some of Europe's best music festivals. But festivals are not only limited to Florence, the entire region of Tuscany organizes music festivals of all kinds.

It really doesn't matter what month or season you are visiting Florence, as there is a concert or a festival taking place all the time. If it's not for Opera at St.Mark's, then it is the Rock Festival in the famous Visarno Arena or Maggio Musicale throughout different venues in Florence.

Starting from May until the end of September, Florence is a lively city packed with tourists from all over the world. Not only are the hordes of tourists coming to see the amazing landscapes of Tuscany, the beautiful architecture, museums and galleries of Florence, but they come to let their hair down and dance to the music of their favorite bands and musicians.

From jazz and blues to electronic and techno, classic music, and rock, here are the best music festivals in Florence in 2022 well worth your time and money.

Just arriving in the city and wondering how to make your way to the festivals? Take a look at our informative guide on getting around Florence. And don't bring luggage or even large backpacks with you to the venue. Instead, find Bounce luggage storage in Florence, drop your bags off there, and get ready for the biggest adventure of your life!

The best music festivals in Florence in 2022

Maggio Musicale

Maggio Musicale or May Music Festival takes place every year, with most performances held in the new opera house, Opera di Firenze. It happens in multiple locations in Florence and includes performances most known names of classical music, opera and ballet, as well as orchestras and conductors.

Founded in 1933, on the initiative of maestro Vittorio Gui, the Maggio Musicale was the first of its kind in Italy. It is also the oldest festival in Europe, after Salzburg.

To find out more about this year's program, make sure to visit the official website. Due to the popularity of the festival and the start of the peak season, it's best to make your hotel bookings and get your tickets in advance. In case you miss it, don't despair. The Maggio Musicale has performances scheduled throughout the year.

Michelangelo International Music Festival

This year is the 3rd Michelangelo International Music Festival. It takes place from May 10 until May 14. The festival focuses on Michelangelo Buonarroti, one of the most famous names in Italy and Europe.

Michelangelo Buonarroti is a sculptor, painter, architect, and Renaissance poet. He is known for the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and his Statue of David which is one of the most iconic landmarks in Florence. The Festival welcomes choirs and orchestras of all ages and kinds from any part of the world.

The venues of the Festival are all relevant to Michelangelo’s life and work, highlighting his genius.

Estate Fiesolana

Estate Fiesolana is a summer festival of music, theater and dance. This year it starts on June 21 and ends on August 22. The first evening is reserved for opera performance by the Fiesole Musci School and it is free admission upon reservation.

From classical and jazz music to rock music under the stars, the festival presents nationally and internationally renowned artists. The rest of the month, besides theatrical and dance events, readings and film screenings, you will be able to listen to Italian music with Ginevra Di Marco, Fulminacci, Angelo Branduardi, Paolo Fresu, and international music with Tarja Turunen, a Finnish heavy metal singer, and Fantastic Negrito, an American blues and R&B singer.

Estate Fiesolana takes place in Teatro Romano di Fiesole, a Roman amphitheater, just a few minutes from the city center.

Firenze Rocks

One of the biggest rock music festivals of the summer featuring famous international bands and musicians starts on June 16 and lasts for four days. Visarno Arena is where the festival takes place, with thousands of people flocking to the event to see their favorite superstars.

This year the headliner of the opening day will be Green Day with Weezer as the supporting act. The following day the crowd can enjoy the music of Muse and Placebo and The Mysterines as support acts. The headliners on the 18th are RHCP with NAS as the supporting act of the day. The 19th of June, the last day of the festival, is when the crowds can go wild with none other than the legendary American heavy metal band Metallica. Greta Van Fleet and Jerry Cantrell are the support act of the last day.

Tickets are flying, so make sure to get yours in time. You could either buy a single-day ticket or the full 4-day subscription.

Lucca Summer Festival

Starting on June 28, this whole month festival offers an excellent program with huge international names. The Lucca Summer Festival has, since its first edition in 1998, welcomed on its stage musicians like David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, Jamiroquai, James Brown, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and Elton John.

The event takes place in Lucca, only 38 miles from Florence. The main venue is in Piazza Napoleone. This year the fans will get to see names like Liam Gallagher + Kasabian, John Legend, Marracash, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, and Justin Bieber among the few, plus special guests. Tickets are in high demand, so hurry up and get yours in time!

FICF Festival

Florence Music Festival is not just a festival. It is also a competition of some of the best Choirs, Orchestras and Bands in Italy and the world. This is an unforgettable experience that lasts for the entire month of July starting with the Florence Fun & Music Festival colors of the world at the beginning of July.

The "Colors of the World"

This festival is open to all kinds of choirs, orchestras & bands, from jazz and pop to rock groups, not only from Italy but the entire world. Each participant shares traditional music from their own country, representing the spirit of their own culture.

The concerts are performed in various venues in Florence like the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce, Ognissanti, Santissima Annunziata and Santa Trinita, San Lorenzo, Saint Mark and more. You can find more details about the dates, performances and venues on the official FICF Festival website.

Florence Gospel Symposium

The Florence Gospel Symposium takes place from the 25th till the 28th of July. It is a unique international Contest and Masterclass for Gospel groups. In fact, it is the first Italian contest whose focus is solely on Gospel music and culture.

You get to enjoy not one, but four days of music in various locations in Florence. From Hymns and NuGospel, to spiritual and classic gospel, the participating choirs get to play the gospel repertoire they prefer. On the last day, there is a final concert result of the mass choir's work which takes place in an exclusive location in Florence.

Pistoia Blues

Starting on July 7 until July 16, is the Pistoia Blues Festival happening in Pistoia, just a 30-min drive from Florence.

The first time the Pistoia Blues festival took place was in 1980. The lineup included huge names of the international music scene like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Dizzy Gillespie, La Strana Officina, Andy Way Blues, Pino Daniele, Mighty Joe Young and many others.

This year blues and rock music fans will get to see none other than the great Simple Minds, Paolo Nutini, Ariete, Elisa, Willie Peyote, and Tallest Man on Earth. Get your tickets for this unmissable show with famous artists, side events, and a street market now before they run out of seats.

Puccini Opera Festival

July is the biggest month for festivals in Tuscany, and the Puccini Opera Festival is one of the best. This year, the event will start on July 15th with the Madam Butterfly symphonic concert, and it will end on August 27th. The festival takes place in Torre del Lago Puccini at the Gran Teatro All'Aperto or the outdoor theater stage, near Viareggio, about an hour and a half ride from Florence.

The Puccini Opera Festival has been host to many acclaimed names in opera, presenting the operas of the Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. People from all over the world come to this part of Italy to enjoy one of the most prestigious events of the year. Whether you are an opera enthusiast, or you have never been to an opera concert before, Tuscany's Puccini Festival will surely meet your expectations.

You can buy your tickets at the festival ticket office, near the second entrance to the Theater on Via delle Torbiere, or via email and phone.

Seravezza Blues Festival

Take a day trip to Seravezza, just 80 miles from Florence, and enjoy this three day long festival at no cost. Starting on July 21 to July 24, the event will take place in Versilia, at the Palazzo Mediceo, recognized as a UNESCO heritage site.

During the festival, this small mountain town is visited by thousands of people to see their favorite musicians perform. Over the years, the festival has welcomed guests from all over the world including Guitar Crusher, Ana Popovic, Marcos Coll, Jaime Dolce, Tom Blacksmith, McKinley Moore and many others.

Jazz & Wine in Montalcino

The summer in Tuscany is made for enchanting events and concerts. For everyone interested in Jazz along with some wine, head down to the Montalcino province of Siena, for four evenings of jazz music. The small stage has welcomed Italian and international jazz musicians including Nick the Nightfly, Mangalavite trio, Bosso-Mazzariello Duo, Rosalia de Souza among many others. All concerts from July 20 to 25th start at 9 pm and you can purchase your ticket at the door.

Decibel Open Air Festival

September is reserved for the most important electronic music festival in Europe. Starting on September 10, in Parco delle Cascine, in the Visarno Arena, the Decibel Open Air Festival will welcome big names in electronic music and techno. The lineup this year includes Marco Carola, Richie Hawtin, Paul Kalkbrenner, Peggy Gou, Nina Kraviz, Amelie Lens and many others.

Though there is a huge Food&Beverage zone, you can bring any food you'd like with you, as there are no restrictions on food. However, no drinks are allowed. Buy your regular or VIP tickets now, and secure your spot at one of the biggest electronic music festivals in Europe.

Planning to spend some more days in Florence?

With so many concerts and festivals throughout the year, one would want to move to Florence, to be able to dance to them all! But even when the festivals are over, there is so much for you to do in Florence.

Stop by the Jazz Club for a weeknight jam session, or enjoy a late-night hangout at the NOF with live bands playing all types of music. Or check out the Cabaret Firenze, a bar in the heart of Florence, with live music almost every night. If you prefer the opera, you will enjoy the great atmosphere at St. Mark's, an Anglican Church.

From live music in clubs and DJs in cocktail bars to all sorts of celebrations, Florence will keep you entertained the entire time of your stay. Don't forget to see the other wonders of Florence as well, like the many museums. Enjoy brunch at a cafe, or head out on a quest for free things to do in Florence. There are many!

If you're planning to stay longer in Florence, take a look at our other Florence guides for other fun activities!

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