As probably most of you already know this week end it’s a special week end! It’s Ferragosto in Italy: it’s bank holiday and most people are on vacation enjoying the beach. But, also in the city centers there are still a lot of things to do in order to satisfy every kind of request: from music, to theatre plays! Here is a selection of the best events going on during this long (and hot) summer week end! Pick up the ones that most suit you!

Music events:

The Grey Cat Festival is one of the most important jazz festivals in Italy. Saturday, August 13 it’s Kenny Wheeler and Stefano Cantini with the Orchestra Stabile Grey Cat Festival at the Teatro Le Ferriere in Follonica. Tuesday, July 16 don’t miss the Luigi Martinale sextet at the Parco di Pietra in Roselle (Grosseto).

Lucca’s Anfiteatro Music Festival presents a tribute to Madonna on August 14 and Sevilla Flamenca in concert on Monday, August 15.

The Festambiente in Rispescia (Grosseto) concludes its program with Paolo Belli and his Big Band on August 13; Alessandro Mannarino’s electrifying performance on August 14; and one of the world’s most beautiful voices, Mario Biondi, on August 15.

The Musica W Festival at the Luigi Montauti Anfiteatro del Parco Pubblico in Castellina Marittima boasts three days of rock n’ roll: August 13, P-51 Airplanes; Sunday, Contratto Sociale Gnu Folk; and August 15, the grand finale with Sir David Rodigan, Final Lap, Ellade Bandini Trio and The Ocean.

Theatre events:

This year’s Opera Festival concludes with La Traviata on August 13 at the Abbey of San Gimignano.

One of Italy’s most important theatre shows, the Bruscello di Montepulciano, takes place from August 12 to 15. This year’s event celebrates the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification with “Zelindo il Garibaldino”. The show, set against the backdrop of Piazza Grande, features popular arias sung by amateur actors and 100 extras from 6 to 70 years old.

Children events:

Staying in Florence for Ferragosto? Don’t worry, Easy Living is back! The Arno “beach” will host a sand castle competition on Monday, August 15. The fun starts at 1pm with a barbeque on the beach and the sand castle tournament at 3:30pm. To participate, send the following information for each member of your team: name, last name and birth date to comunicazione@piazzart.com.

Art exhibits:

In honor of the centenary of Renato Guttuso’s birth (Bagheria 26 December 1911 – Rome 18 January 1987), Versilia pays homage to him with the exhibition “Guttuso e gli amici di Corrente” (Guttuso and his “Corrente” Friends) until 11 September at the Palazzo Mediceo in Seravezza (LU), organized by the Terre Medicee Foundation and the City of Seravezza.

And if you’re into historical, traditional folk events chech out our top 5 Ferragosto traditional events and our best markets and food festivals selection!