A Summer under the stars in the splendid backdrop of the Roman Amphitheater
The summer program of events entitled "Estate Fiesolana" is the oldest multi-art festival organized "en plein air".
The festival takes place between June and September and offers a rich calendar of musical and theatrical events including various genres of music, comedy shows, theatrical performances, dance and one-man shows.
Fiesole, just a short distance from Florence, makes the most of its Roman archealogical site as the perfect stage for an evening "under the stars". Since the parking area around Fiesole is limited, you may find some difficulty in parking during these events, therefore we suggest that you plan on getting there with public transport (AT bus line number 7, leaving from the center of Florence). If you have a pass for Autolinee Toscane, there are special offers for the events!
If you have to arrive by car, then look for parking in the area behind and below the Amphitheater, there's free parking along via Giovanni Duprè, via della Mura Etrusche and via Pierluigi Banchi.
Oldest Cultural Festival in Italy
Even though the organization of the Estate Fiesolana originated in 1947, the city has hosted important theater, opera, ballet, and concerts - in this very unique and exclusive environment - since 1911. They have done this with absolute dedication and passion for creating a place where the arts could flourish and be easily accessible to the general public.
The program for Estate Fiesolana 2023 - in its 76th edition - is available at the BIT Concerti website, where you can also buy tickets for all of the events. The site is available only in Italian, but the procedure for purchasing online is pretty straightforward and easy to navigate.
Something New in Fiesole
The #EstateFiesolana is always looking for ways to make it more enticing to a wider audience. Their "Concerti al Tramonto"or Concerts at Sunset series by the Fiesole Music School will be held on June 27-30 in 4 fractions of the Comune di Fiesole.
- 27/06/23 Pian di Mugnone: P.zza Don Formelli (side closest to the train station)
- 28/06/23 Girone: Piazzetta delle Gualchiere
- 29/06/23 Compiobbi: P.zza Etrusca
- 30/06/23 Pian di San Bartolo: Theater inside the Sport Complex
The concerts are free and generally start around at 7.30pm.
Program for #estatefiesolana2023
This summer the festival is back to full capacity seating, with a billboard running from June through September and including various range of Italian and international artists including live shows. Every single evening there is a different type of show, from music to theather, dance to orchestra to movies "under the stars" during two weeks in August. The festival starts off on June 15 and goes through September 13.
Wednesday, June 21, as is tradition on the day dedicated to the Festival of Music, one of the most important cultural events that celebrates the summer solstice in more than 120 countries around the world, is one of the main first events. The evening - with free admission with booking - will take you through opera performed by the Fiesole Music School.
Afterward and up until September 13, concerts, theatrical and dance events, readings and film screenings will be offered on the stage. To check the complete program, go to the BIT concerti website.
There's More to Fiesole than just #EstateFiesolana
The Best Way to Enjoy Fiesole?
Stay in an accommodation close-by!
This is just a sampling of the events on the program this summer for #EstateFiesolana, yet Fiesole is always open to offer its magical treasures and antique civilizations. With so many things to explore and visit, you can easily program an entire day moving from the Etruscans, viewing the remains of their ancient walls, to the Roman epoch and the archeological park filled with remnants of the famous thermal water spa. Or you could visit the caves where the stone that built Florence came from (cave di Maiano) or learn more about the convent where Albert Einstein would go for inspiration (convent of San Francesco).
Last, but absolutely not least of its secrets, you could climb to the top of the hill (Monte Ceceri) where Leonardo da Vinci convinced his apprentice to verify his theories on flight, with just a few consequences like a broken bone (or two).
LAST UPDATE: July 11, 2023
