Italian coastal towns host free summer music festivals celebrating Sanremo heritage and jazz

Santo Stefano al Mare in Liguria will hold a free outdoor concert on 30 July titled “Perché Sanremo è Sanremo”, tracing the history of Italy’s most famous song contest, the Sanremo Festival, through a selection of its most memorable songs.

Two days later, on 2 August, the Gaeta Sunset Festival will feature renowned jazz saxophonist Stefano Di Battista on the stage of Piazza dei Maestri Vetrai. His program “La Dolce Vita” re‑interprets classic Italian melodies—from Nino Rota to Domenico Modugno—in a contemporary jazz style.

Both events are part of a summer effort by Italian coastal municipalities to promote cultural tourism, offering free admission and highlighting the country’s musical legacy.