"Un paese della musica." Castelbuono — a town of music.
Every August, this ancient medieval hill town in the heart of the Madonie mountains transforms into one of Sicily's most extraordinary cultural destinations. The 29th edition of the Castelbuono Jazz Festival animates the town from 16th to 23rd August 2026 — eight evenings of world-class jazz in some of the most atmospheric open-air settings in all of Sicily.
Dedicated to John Coltrane & Miles Davis
This year's edition is dedicated to the centenary of the birth of John Coltrane and Miles Davis — two of the greatest musicians the world has ever produced. An extraordinarily fitting tribute in a town that has made jazz part of its very identity.
Three concerts every evening
The defining innovation of the 2026 edition is a triple daily programme — three concerts on every date in the calendar:
🎷 19:00 — Chiostro monumentale di San Francesco (intimate cloisters setting)
🎺 22:30 — Piazza Castello (under the stars at the ancient castle)
🌙 23:30 — Piazza Margherita — "La Notte Jazz"(featuring masterclass students)
Confirmed artists include:
Fabrizio Bosso, Ksenija Sidorova, Francesco Bearzatti, Walter Ricci, Salvatore Bonafede, Daria Biancardi, Salvo Correri and many more to be announced.
Masterclasses
Running alongside the evening concerts, masterclasses are led by maestros Giuliana Di Liberto, Claudio Giambruno and Giacomo Tantillo — with students performing live each night at "La Notte Jazz" in Piazza Margherita.
Closing Night — Sunday 23rd August
The festival closes at the San Francesco cloisters with "Un Amore Supremo, musica tra cielo e terra" — a project by saxophonist and clarinettist Francesco Bearzatti celebrating 100 years since Coltrane's birth. Before the concert, the prestigious "Paladino di Sicilia" award is presented to a Sicilian personality distinguished in the fight against the mafia. The evening concludes in Piazza Castello with the closing concert of the "Masterclass Claudio Lo Cascio" students.
Artistically directed by Angelo Butera. All evenings presented by journalist Mario Caminita. Organised with the patronage of Federalberghi Palermo and FIPE.
All concerts free admission. Full programme at www.castelbuonojazz.it
Staying in Castelbuono for the Jazz Festival? The Ivy Courtyard is just steps from all three venues — the San Francesco cloisters, Piazza Castello and Piazza Margherita. Discover The Queen's Chamber and book directly with us. stay@theivycourtyard.it
Event information is provided in good faith but may be subject to change. We recommend checking with official sources before travelling.