Must-see festivals in early May 2026 in Italy

Must-see festivals in early May 2026 in Italy

With the arrival of May, a series of festivals enliven Italian cities and territories. Below is a curated list of key events for the first days of the month.

• Festa della Cultura Alpina — Tirano (SO), May 1-3, 2026: first edition focused on mountain traditions, knowledge and local productions, featuring markets, workshops and public gatherings.
• Danza in Rete — Vicenza (until May 24, 2026): ninth edition of the distributed festival linking choreography, performance and territory, with new productions and meeting opportunities.
• Long Playing — Venice, April 29 / May 27 / June 3, 2026: listening series curated by Palazzo Grassi and SSH! Iuav, centered on duration and shared musical listening.
• Prima Persona Plurale — Turin, May 5-7, 2026: three days of talks, workshops and conversations on independent living for people with disabilities, timed with European Independent Living Day.
• Detroit Love — Bologna, May 1, 2026: music event showcasing artists and sessions from Detroit's electronic scene, with DJ sets and live performances.

This roundup summarizes some of the many initiatives across Italy. For full programs, ticketing and access information, consult the official websites of each festival.