Italy Summer Music Festivals and Outdoor Concerts

Going to a music festival or outdoor concert during summer can be a highlight of a trip to Italy. You'll find many outdoor concerts in squares and public places throughout Italy. Here's a selection of top Italian summer music festivals.

01 of 08

Verona Opera, Arena di Verona

Verona Arena — EyesWideOpen / Getty Images

The Roman Arena in Verona is one of Italy's most spectacular settings for outdoor opera performances and concerts. Built in the 1st century BC, its the third largest Roman arena in Italy. The Arena di Verona summer opera season usually starts in mid-June and runs through early September with performances starting at 9 or 9:15 PM. You can check the schedule and buy Arena di Verona Opera Tickets from the Arena di Verona web site.

02 of 08

Puccini Festival in Tuscany at Torre del Lago Puccini

Courtesy of Festival Puccini Torre del Lago

Giacomo Puccini lived in a villa in Torre del Lago, a small town on a lake near the coast of Tuscany, and composed many of his operas there. Today there's a new outdoor amphitheater by the lake that is the setting for the Puccini opera festival held in July and August as well as other concerts and ballets. You can check the schedule and buy on the Puccini Festival Foundation website.

03 of 08

Stresa Festival, Lake Maggiore

Stresa Music Festival, on Lake Maggiore, hosts both well-known performers and young winners of music competitions in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues including theaters, castles, churches, gardens, and villas around the lake. Stresa is one of the main towns on Lake Maggiore and it can be reached by train, bus, car, or boat. You can buy tickets on the Stresa Festival website.

04 of 08

Opera Theater of Rome, Baths of Caracalla

Rome's Teatro dell'Opera holds summer performances at the Baths of Caracalla, one of Rome's top ancient sites. In use from the second through sixth centuries, the ancient baths make a spectacular setting for outdoor performances. Buy tickets from the Teatro dell 'Opera di Roma website.

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05 of 08

Umbria Jazz Festival, Perugia

The Umbria Jazz Festival, held in Perugia, is one of Italy's top music festivals. The festival draws performers from all over the world and in addition to ticket concerts there's lots of music going on in Perugia's squares and streets. See the Umbria Jazz Festival website for program and ticket information.

06 of 08

Ravello Concert Society, Amalfi Coast

ravello concert historic building — Courtesy of Ravello Concert Society

Ravello Concert Society holds concerts, primarily classical music, from spring through fall in various indoor and outdoor venues. The scenic Amalfi Coast, south of Naples, is one of Italy's top coast destinations. You can buy Ravello concert tickets on the Ravello Concert Society website for concert and ticket information.

07 of 08

Sferisterio Opera Festival, Macerata

Sferisterio Opera Festival is held in the Arena Sferisterio, one of Italy's premier opera venues, set in the scenic countryside of Macerata in central Italy's Marche region. Performances are usually held from late July through early August. Buy tickets from the Sferisterio Opera website.

08 of 08

Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro

The Rossini Opera Festival takes place in August in Pesaro, a seaside resort town on the Adriatic coast in central Italy's Marche region. The festival is dedicated entirely to works by Rossini and performances take place in theaters or in the Adriatic Arena. Buy Rossini Opera Tickets from the Rossini Opera Festival website for information and tickets.