One of Italy’s longest-running festivals is getting ready to light up its square once again. The 45th edition of the Pistoia Blues Festival takes place from 2 to 10 July 2026 in Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia, with a programme split between the Blues section, the Storytellers devoted to Italian singer-songwriters and a few special events.
The programme day by day
- Thursday 2 July, Storytellers: Marco Masini with “Perfetto Imperfetto”, opened by Maurizio Pirovano.
- Friday 3 July, special event: Il Volo with the World Tour 2026-2027, in Pistoia for the first time.
- Saturday 4 July, Blues: Fantastic Negrito, Eric Steckel (at his second Pistoia Blues) and Electric Cherry.
- Sunday 5 July, Blues: Australian band Jet, preceded by Walter Trout; Bluagata opens.
- Monday 6 July, special event: Enrico Brignano with the show “Bello di mamma!”.
- Wednesday 8 July, Blues: The Darkness, on tour with the album “Dreams of Toast”, with Messa; Spleen opens.
- Friday 10 July, Blues: Ian Anderson’s Jethro Tull, on their fourth appearance at the festival with the “Curious Ruminant” tour; STREA opens.
Claudio Baglioni’s concert postponed
The concert by Claudio Baglioni scheduled for 7 July, already sold out, will not take place this year: on 1 June the artist announced that his entire tour is postponed to 2027 for health reasons. The Pistoia date has been rescheduled to 6 July 2027 and tickets already purchased remain valid; for refund conditions, the official communications are the reference.
Why this event is not to be missed
Seeing Jethro Tull or The Darkness in front of the cathedral, in one of the most beautiful squares in Tuscany, is an experience unlike any arena. For The Darkness it is also the only date in central and southern Italy, and the festival once again brings to the main stage the emerging bands selected through the Obiettivo BluesIn contest.
Practical info
- When: from 2 to 10 July 2026 (no event on 9 July).
- Where: Piazza del Duomo, Pistoia.
- Tickets: on Ticketone, Ticketmaster, Vivaticket and at authorised outlets; prices and sections are listed on the official website.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most blues-focused part of the festival?
The weekend of 4 and 5 July, with Fantastic Negrito, Eric Steckel, Walter Trout and Jet, and the closing concert on 10 July with Jethro Tull.
I have a ticket for Baglioni: what happens?
Your ticket remains valid for the new date of 6 July 2027. For any refunds, follow the instructions of the ticketing platform where you bought it.