Main Events
FESTIVALS, CONCERTS AND EXHIBITIONS
SELECTION OF THE MAIN EVENTS IN CORTONA
The most important and significant events take place from spring to autumn.
These events are popular because they reflect the traditions, customs and beliefs of the city.
Every Fourth Sunday of the month
Antiques Market
All year round
The charm of the past comes to life every fourth Sunday of the month in the historic heart of the city, when the charming Piazza Luca Signorelli transforms into a lively antiques market. In this evocative setting, framed by the ancient city walls and historic buildings that characterize the center, around 50 selected exhibitors from all over the region gather.
From 9:00 to 20:00, vintage enthusiasts and seekers of hidden treasures can immerse themselves in a unique atmosphere, strolling among stalls full of charm.
Among the stalls you can find artistic ceramics, old books, vintage prints, glass and porcelain objects, vintage jewelry, old vinyl records, historic postcards and much more.
Info
Tel. 0575 62984
infocortona@apt.arezzo.it
Friday, April 3, 2026
Historic Center
Good Friday Procession
Good Friday is the Friday before the Christian Easter. On this day Christians commemorate the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
From 9:00 pm the holy procession begins with its faithful and its ancient Saints and will pass through the main streets of Cortona, ending at 11:00 pm at the Cathedral.
The following day (Saturday) at the Cathedral of Cortona, starting at 11:00 pm, the Easter Vigil of the night of the Resurrection begins with the blessing of the fire, the candle and at 11:00 pm the traditional “Flight of Christ” will begin in Piazza del Duomo. The mass, as usual, will be accompanied by a choir and will end around 1:00 am
1 to 3 May 2026
Piazza Luca Signorelli
Three Days of Flowers, Art, and Tradition
rom May 1st to 3rd, Cortona turns into a vibrant display of colors and scents with Cortona in Fiore. The event celebrates beauty through stunning floral installations created by local nurseries and brought to life by skilled floral designers.
Alongside the flower displays, the town also features areas dedicated to traditional copper craftsmanship, showcasing local artisan heritage.
Throughout the May Day long weekend, a rich program of events and activities takes place: the historical flag-wavers perform parades and shows through the streets of the old town, while restaurants offer flower-inspired dishes. Visitors can also enjoy excursions, guided tours, a fun “flower hunt,” and a floral decoration contest involving both residents and local shops.
Various events
from 3 May to 14 June
Giorstra dell'archidado 14 June 2026
Archidado Joust
Historic Center
The Giostra dell’Archidado has its origins in the Middle Ages and precisely just before the year 1000, but since 1994 the districts of Cortona have challenged each other with crossbows, recalling the celebrations that took place for the wedding of Francesco Casali and Antonia Salimbeni.
The Giostra dell’Archidado is an event not to be missed, captivating and exciting both for the people of Cortona and for the tourists who are lucky enough to be in Cortona during the medieval week.
From 17 to 26 June 2026
Nume Festival
The Outstanding Talent Festival
INTERNATIONAL CLASSICAL MUSIC ACADEMY AND FESTIVAL
An international classical music festival as part of a prestigious string academy. NUME Festival proposes to its public acclaimed artists from across the world and promotes emerging artists. A pure musical encounter, full of energy and passion in the heart of Cortona. Live the experience!
Each year we select the greatest talents from around the world to participate in a high-level tuition free Academy. Many of the young talents taking part in the course are already at the beginning of their careers as soloists or chamber musicians and have won important prizes in international competitions.
From 27 June to 5 July 2026
Festival della Musica Sacra
IT TAKES PLACE IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
The Cortona Sacred Music Festival, founded in 2004, is an annual event that combines art, spirituality and culture. This event offers concerts, celebrations and meetings in historic and evocative locations such as the Signorelli Theater and the Eremo delle Celle.
Every year, the festival offers important themes and artists, celebrating the beauty of sacred music in all its forms.
4 July to 11 Novembr 2026
Gino Severini, Modernity as Conversation
Museo dell'Accademia
Etrusca e della Città
di Cortona
Cortona, the birthplace of the great Futurist painter, celebrates the identity and artistic legacy of Gino Severini and dedicates to the magnificent painter, sixty years after his death, an extraordinary international exhibition of both scholarly depth and captivating allure. An emotionally charged exhibition for Cortona and unprecedented in its curatorial approach, it investigates the role of mediator that Severini played in the first half of the twentieth century between Italy and France, between cultures and figurative languages, worlds and eras, avant-gardes and traditions.
Over 80 works, including masterpieces and rarities by Severini, pieces by contemporary artists such as Grubicy, Balla, Boccioni, Picasso, Soffici and Carrà, as well as precious antique works that served as sources of inspiration and reflection; together with original documents, an immersive multimedia installation, and the absolute masterpiece Pam Pam, on loan from the Pompidou Centre in Paris, will make this a one-of-a-kind offering in Tuscany.
From 16 July to 1 November 2026
Cortona on the Move
Photography Festival
Since 2011, Cortona On The Move is the international festival dedicated to contemporary photography that transforms the Tuscan village into a center of art and visual culture. Every year, exhibitions, events and workshops invade the historic buildings, alleys and squares of the city, creating a dialogue between tradition and innovation.
The festival celebrates the great masters of photography and emerging talents, telling stories that explore the world through the lens.
13 August 2026
Piazza Luca Signorelli
European Festival of Folk Music and Dance
Since 1999, the European Festival of Popular Music and Dance has celebrated the richness of cultural traditions through performances that bring together artists from all over Europe.
This unique event transforms Cortona into a vibrant stage, where music, dance and folk costumes animate the squares and historic sites of the city.
Every year, the festival offers an engaging experience, promoting dialogue between cultures and the charm of European folk traditions. professionalism.
From 11 to 15 August 2026
65ª Sagra della Bistecca
Steak Festival
Since 1962, the Sagra della Bistecca has been an unmissable event in the Cortona summer, dedicated to the celebration of Tuscan culinary tradition.
This event, which takes place every year on August 15th, transforms the Parterre of Cortona into a large outdoor party, where the absolute protagonist is the Florentine steak, cooked on imposing grills and served with simplicity to enhance its authentic flavor.
Between music, conviviality and good food, the festival is an unmissable experience for lovers of Tuscan cuisine and local traditions.
From 29 August to 13 September 2026
Cortona Antiquaria
Antiques Fair
Since 1963, Cortona Antiquaria has been one of the most prestigious events dedicated to antiques in Italy. Every year, between August and September, the historic center of Cortona is transformed into an elegant showcase, hosting exhibitors and collectors from all over Europe.
Furniture, paintings, ceramics and art objects of great value find space in this exhibition market, which celebrates the timeless charm of antiques in a setting rich in history and culture.
