July 8, 2025

All the must-see festivals in August in Tuscany

All the names for a summer of music and entertainment

This summer in Florence and throughout Tuscany has been filled with bands, national singers and international stars. August also promises to be full of must-see shows and festivals, let's find out which ones and where together!

Concerts at Villa Bertelli (Forte dei Marmi)

Summer 2025 promises to be full of music and great excitement at Villa Bertelli in Forte dei Marmi, which will host some of the most beloved names on the Italian and international scene. Among the most anticipated events is the return of Ben Harper, who will take the stage on July 17 together with his historic band, The Innocent Criminals. A few days earlier, on July 12, it will be the turn of Skunk Anansie: the British band, led by the unmistakable charisma of Skin, will bring all the energy of its summer tour to Tuscany. The calendar continues with Alfa, expected on July 30, followed by Alessandra Amoroso on August 2 and Gianluca Gotto on August 3. Alex Wyse will perform on Aug. 12, while Fabri Fibra will enliven the evening on Aug. 13. Closing on a high note will be Francesco Gabbani on Aug. 16 and Fedez on Aug. 19. A packed program that confirms Forte dei Marmi as one of the liveliest and most vibrant music destinations of the Tuscan summer.

Festival Puccini (Torre del Lago)

The 71st Puccini Festival, staged from July to September at the striking open-air theater in Torre del Lago, offers evenings of great opera between music, stage design and voice. Highlights include Tosca (July 18, Aug. 1, 9, 29), La Bohème (July 19, 26; Aug. 7), Turandot (July 25; Aug. 2, 14, 22; Sept. 5) and Madama Butterfly (Aug. 8 and 23).

Festival La Versiliana (Marina di Pietrasanta)

Prose, dance, music, satire, cabaret, cultural meetings, exhibitions and children's events enliven the Versiliana Park and the Cloister of St. Augustine. Among the novelties is the Versiliana Contemporary Theatre, with big names and young talents of the contemporary scene. Don't miss the concert of Marco Masini (06/08) and Michele Bravi (20/08).

Mont'alfonso sotto le stelle (Castelnuovo di Garfagnana)

Mont'Alfonso under the Stars returns in summer 2025 from July 17 to August 23, bringing music, theater and big events to the heart of Garfagnana in breathtaking settings such as the Fortezza di Mont'Alfonso and Fortezza delle Verrucole. Among the events not to be missed, Friday, August 1 at the Fortress of Mont'Alfonso will light up the party with the ABBA tribute show signed ABBADREAM (tickets from 10 to 15 euros). On Saturday, August 2, Maurizio Lastrico will take the stage with his ironic and irreverent Sul lastrico. Wednesday, August 6, it will be Cristiano De André's turn with De André canta De André - Best Of Tour, an intense and passionate tribute to his father Fabrizio. Saturday, Aug. 9, Stefano Bollani will offer his Piano Solo, a different concert each night, the result of pure inspiration and improvisation. On Monday, August 11, Fiorella Mannoia will be accompanied by the Saverio Mercadante Symphony Orchestra in the show Fiorella Sinfonica - Live with orchestra. On Friday, Aug. 15, 4:45 a.m. sunrise will stage one of the festival's most striking moments with pianist Cesare Picco and his Köln Concert Variations. On Sunday, Aug. 17, great Italian song returns to the stage with Canto Libero, a tribute to Battisti and Mogol that continues to sell out (tickets from €17.25 to €28.75). Tuesday, Aug. 19 energy and contemporary sound with The Kolors. Thursday, Aug. 21 will feature Angelo Branduardi with Il Cantico. Saturday, Aug. 23, close in style with the Ensemble Symphony Orchestra conducted by Giacomo Loprieno, who will perform two masterpieces of classical music as Ravel's Boléro and Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.

Festa del cinema di Mare (Castiglione della Pescaia)

From August 22 to 26, the Sea Film Festival - Mauro Mancini Prize/Guido Parigi Award returns to Castiglione della Pescaia. Directing it for the fifth consecutive year is Tuscan director and screenwriter Giovanni Veronesi, a native of Prato with Castiglione della Pescaia in his heart, who in 2021 took over the baton from its creator and founder, Corriere della Sera critic Claudio Carabba, who passed away in November 2020.

Follonica Summer Nights 2025

Follonica Summer Nights 2025 runs from June 28 to Aug. 18, enlivening the city with a full schedule of theater performances and concerts between Le Ferriere Outdoor Theater and Central Park. The festival kicks off on Saturday, June 28, with Marco Bocci and his hilarious comedy “We'll Call It Happiness.” On July 10 it is Anna Foglietta's turn, while on July 19 Edoardo Leo presents “Ti racconto una storia - summer edition,” an ironic and poetic tale between theater and cinema. Music takes over in August at Central Park: on the 9th it starts with the Lucilla Show, an event designed for families and children. On Aug. 11 comes the energy of Deejay Time with Albertino, Fargetta, Molella and Precious. On Aug. 12 Fabri Fibra ignites the audience with his “Festival Tour 2025,” followed on Aug. 13 by Brunori Sas with his intimate and engaging “Albero delle Noci Tour.” Closing the festival on Aug. 18 is Lucio Corsi with his unmistakable blend of rock and folk.

Castiglioncello Festival (Castiglioncello)

From July 16 to Aug. 22, 2025, Castello Pasquini in Castiglioncello, in the heart of the Etruscan Coast, will host a new edition of the Castiglioncello Festival. The musical calendar spans genres and generations, with Edoardo Bennato opening the festival on July 16, followed by Nayt on the 26th, Alice accompanied by Orchestra on August 3, Enrico Nigiotti on the 9th, Sal Da Vinci on the 10th and Rkomi on August 11. On Aug. 5, spotlight on the Gatti Mézzi reunion, while closing the festival will be Silent Bob & Sick Budd on Aug. 22. Also scheduled are theatrical and comedy events, including Barbascura X's show scheduled for July 24.

Summer Knights 2025

From Aug. 30 to Sept. 13, 2025, the appointment with Summer Knights, the summer music and entertainment festival that enlivens Piazza dei Cavalieri with some of the most beloved names on the Italian and international scene, returns to Pisa. Opening the bill on Saturday, Aug. 30, will be Francesco De Gregori, who celebrates the 50th anniversary of “Rimmel” with a tour that crosses Italy. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Marco Masini will take the stage with a show celebrating his 35-year career, while on Thursday, Sept. 4, it will be the turn of the extraordinary Fiorella Mannoia, accompanied by the Saverio Mercadante Symphony Orchestra, for an exciting live performance under the stars. On Saturday, Sept. 6, space will be given to the British sound of Level 42, an icon of the 1980s, followed on Sunday, Sept. 7, by the highly anticipated return of I Gatti Mézzi, who celebrate 20 years since their founding with a concert-reunion in their city. The program continues Wednesday, Sept. 10, with the brilliant comedy of Vincenzo Salemme, on stage with the new comedy Ogni promessa è debito. Thursday, Sept. 11, will instead be Cristiano De André's time, with an intense tribute to his father Fabrizio and his immortal music. Among the most innovative events of the festival, Friday, Sept. 12, comes Symphony of Chaos, the visionary project by Alessandro Xiueref aka Asco, which combines symphonic music, visual art and technology for a unique multisensory experience. Grand finale Saturday, Sept. 13 with Teenage Dream, the show dedicated to the 2000s.

BargaJazz Festival 2025 (Barga)

The BargaJazz Festival 2025 runs from July 17 to August 23 between Barga and the Middle Serchio Valley, with concerts, competitions, master classes and jam sessions in theaters, squares and historic villages. Highlights include: the opening concert on July 22 with Afrigarf, the BargaJazz Orchestra on August 22 and the grand finale on August 23 with Eddie Henderson. Also of note: the International Jazz Arrangement Competition (with semifinals on August 26 and 27) and the BargaJazz Contest for bands under 35. A widespread festival that celebrates jazz in all its forms, including auteur music, young talent and enchanting scenery.