Music Festival festival guides

The Festival International de Musique de Besançon Franche-Comté, held each September in Besançon, France, is one of Europe's most prestigious classical music events. Founded in 1948, it is renowned for its International Competition for Young Conductors and draws over 20,000 attendees. This guide covers everything from its history and venues to ticketing and practical tips for planning your visit.

Planning to attend the Besançon International Music Festival? This guide walks you through booking options, ticket categories, venue-specific seating notes, and essential policies. For current prices, always check the official price list.

Discover Calvi's Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques, a September festival of Corsican and world polyphonic singing. Learn about its history, venues, programme, and how to plan your visit.

Tempo Rives brings free open-air concerts to the Jardin des Beaux-Arts in Angers every summer, with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. This guide explains the festival's format, how to get there, what to bring, and how to pair it with other riverside activities.

Discover the Sorrento Summer Festival, officially the International Summer Music Festival of Sorrento. Held at the atmospheric Cloister of San Francesco, this classical music series runs from summer into early autumn. Learn what to expect, how to find the latest programme, and how to make the most of your visit.

The Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte is a unique multidisciplinary festival founded in 1976 by composer Hans Werner Henze. Blending opera, music, theater, and dance, it brings together established artists and young talents across Montepulciano and the Valdichiana Senese. This guide covers its history, mission, venues, and practical advice for planning your visit.

Olbia is a convenient base for festival-goers in Sardinia, with the Red Valley Festival at Olbia Arena and the Palm Tree Music Festival at nearby Phi Beach. This guide helps you plan a trip that combines live music with the island's beaches and culture, with practical advice on transport, accommodation, and verifying event details.

Discover the Pistoia Blues Festival, held in the historic Piazza del Duomo. Learn about ticket categories, official vendors, venue details, accessibility, and tips for a smooth visit.

The Ravenna Festival turns the city's one-time capital into a stage every summer, with concerts set inside glittering Byzantine basilicas, a medieval church tied to Dante, a fortress citadel, and industrial heritage halls. Uncover the character of each venue and practical tips to prioritise your visit.

Plan a trip around the Ravenna Festival, an annual summer event with opera, symphony, and sacred music in UNESCO-listed churches and historic venues.

Sanremo is more than February's Song Contest. Dive into the town's year-round charm, from its flower-filled Riviera to the historic venues that shaped Italian music. This guide helps you plan a trip around the festival and beyond, with practical tips for visiting without relying on unconfirmed details.

Sherwood Festival transforms Padua's Park Nord Stadio Euganeo each summer into a hub of music, debates, sport, and social initiatives. This guide covers the 2026 edition, sustainable travel options, food, accessibility, and the festival's roots in Radio Sherwood.