Festival Internazionale del Jazz della Spezia 2026 — 58 Years of Italy’s Longest-Running Jazz Festival

Every summer, La Spezia swings to the sound of jazz. The Festival Internazionale del Jazz della Spezia returns in July 2026 for its 58th edition, reinforcing its status as Italy’s longest continuously running jazz festival. Since its founding in 1969 by Tiberio Nicola and the Amici del Jazz association, this festival has brought the giants of jazz — from Bill Evans to Maynard Ferguson — to the Gulf of Poets.

What to Expect in 2026

The 58th edition follows the festival’s established format: a mix of headline international acts, emerging Italian talent selected through the Tiberio Nicola Award competition, and masterclasses led by world-class musicians. Past editions have featured artists like Benny Golson, Bill Frisell, and Paolo Fresu. The full 2026 programme is typically announced in May — check the festival’s official website for the latest lineup and ticket information.

Concerts take place across multiple venues: the Teatro Civico in the city centre, the atmospheric open-air stages at the Giardini Pubblici and Piazza Mentana, plus select locations in nearby coastal towns and the Lunigiana hinterland. Most evening concerts start around 21:00.

Practical Tips

• Tickets: Individual concert tickets typically range from €15–35, with discounted festival passes available. Some afternoon events and masterclasses are free.
• Getting there: La Spezia Centrale station is on the main Genoa–Pisa line, with frequent connections. From the station, the Teatro Civico is a 10-minute walk through the pedestrian centre.
• Where to stay: Book accommodation early — the festival coincides with peak summer season and the city fills up quickly. See our La Spezia Travel Guide for neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood advice.
• Combine with: The festival runs alongside the summer season in the Cinque Terre — you’re just 10 minutes by train from Riomaggiore. See our Cinque Terre Travel Guide to plan day trips between concerts.

Why This Festival Matters

Unlike larger, more commercial Italian jazz events, the La Spezia festival retains an intimate, community-driven spirit. It’s a festival where you can hear world-class musicians in a 1,200-seat theatre, then walk 50 metres to a piazza for a post-concert aperitivo overlooking the harbour. The event is deeply embedded in the city’s cultural fabric — the festival’s educational arm has nurtured generations of Ligurian jazz musicians through its masterclass programme.

For jazz lovers visiting Liguria in July, this is the unmissable musical event of the summer. For everyone else — it’s a perfect excuse to discover La Spezia, one of Liguria’s most underrated cities.