Alkantara Fest 2026

From 10 July to 8 August 2026, the Alkantara Fest returns to the foothills of Mount Etna. This international festival, dedicated to folk and world music, transforms the Etna region every year into a meeting place for cultures, traditions and musical styles from all over the world. A wide-ranging event combining concerts, performances, workshops, dance and family activities in a natural setting that stretches from the volcano to the villages and the sea.

Alkantara Fest offers a multidisciplinary programme that promotes dialogue between the diverse musical cultures of the Mediterranean and other continents, providing an immersive experience of sounds, stories, encounters and shared experiences. The festival takes the form of a series of travelling events held at locations of particular scenic and cultural interest, forging a deep connection between music and the local area.

The 2026 edition will host numerous artists and groups from diverse musical traditions, including Agricantus, Maria Mazzotta, Monsieur Doumani, Carola Ortiz, Seffarine, Balkanshe, Rita Botto & La Banda di Avola, Afro Anatolian Tales, Lyr Trio, Hawa, Namritha Nori, Melina Vlachos and many other leading figures from the international folk and world music scene. Alongside the concerts, there will be special projects such as Ethno Sicily, dedicated to musical exchange between young artists from different countries, and events celebrating folk traditions through music, dance and collective participation.

The festival also includes workshops, educational activities, family shows, travelling performances and sessions dedicated to Sicilian and Mediterranean musical traditions, creating opportunities for artists, audiences and local communities to come together.

Alkantara Fest thus reaffirms its status as one of the most significant events of Sicily’s cultural summer, successfully combining live music, exploration of the local area and intercultural dialogue in an authentic and participatory atmosphere. A journey through sounds and traditions that spans the globe, starting from the heart of Mount Etna.