Pistoia Blues Festival 2026: Dates, Lineup, and Tickets

The Pistoia Blues Festival 2026 returns to Tuscany from July 2 to July 10, bringing blues, rock, and Italian songwriting to one of the most atmospheric historic squares in the region. Now in its 45th edition, the festival will feature international names such as Fantastic Negrito, Jet, The Darkness, Jethro Tull, Eric Steckel, and Walter Trout, alongside two Storytellers nights with Marco Masini and Claudio Baglioni.

Held in Pistoia, between Florence and Lucca, the festival is a strong option for travelers who want to add a summer concert to their Tuscany itinerary without staying in a major city.

Dates and Tickets for the Pistoia Blues Festival 2026

Below you’ll find the official schedule for the Pistoia Blues Festival 2026 along with links to purchase tickets directly from authorized resellers:

Date	Event	Online Tickets
Thursday, July 2, 2026	Marco Masini + Maurizio Pirovano — Storytellers	Buy Here
Saturday, July 4, 2026	Fantastic Negrito + Eric Steckel + Electric Cherry	Buy Here
Sunday, July 5, 2026	Jet + Walter Trout + Bluagata	Buy Here
Tuesday, July 7, 2026	Claudio Baglioni — Storytellers	Sold Out
Wednesday, July 8, 2026	The Darkness + Messa + Spleen	Buy Here
Friday, July 10, 2026	Jethro Tull + Strea	Buy Here

The 2026 edition of the festival will take place from July 2 to July 10. The blues section is concentrated on July 4, 5, 8, and 10, while the Storytellers section is dedicated to major Italian singer-songwriters.

Events take place in the main square of Pistoia’s historic center, Piazza del Duomo, where the Mainstage is set up.

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What to Expect at the 2026 Pistoia Blues Festival

The 45th edition of the Pistoia Blues Festival brings together blues, classic rock, hard rock, and Italian songwriting. The core blues nights include Fantastic Negrito on July 4, Jet with Walter Trout on July 5, The Darkness on July 8, and Jethro Tull on July 10.

The lineup also includes several opening acts and guest artists. Maurizio Pirovano will present his new album before Marco Masini on July 2.

Electric Cherry will open the July 4 concert, while Tuscan emerging artists Bluagata and Spleen will perform on July 5 and July 8. Strea will open for Jethro Tull on July 10.

The festival also confirms its Storytellers section, dedicated to major Italian songwriters. Marco Masini will perform on July 2, while Claudio Baglioni’s July 7 concert is already sold out.

As in previous years, Pistoia Blues is not only about the headliners. The festival also supports emerging talent, with spaces for the Obiettivo Bluesin and Nuove Voci contests still being finalized.

How to Get to the Pistoia Blues Festival

The Pistoia Blues Festival is a convenient event to reach from several Tuscan cities, especially Florence, Prato, Lucca, Pisa, and Montecatini Terme.

Here are the best ways to reach the Pistoia Blues Festival:

By Plane

For international visitors, the nearest airports are the “Amerigo Vespucci” International Airport in Florence and the “Galileo Galilei” International Airport in Pisa. Both airports offer convenient connections to Pistoia, which is approximately 30/40 minutes away. You can choose from renting a car, taking a train, or using the available bus services to reach the festival.

• “Amerigo Vespucci” International Airport (Florence)
• “Galileo Galilei” International Airport (Pisa)

By Train

The region of Pistoia is well-connected by trains, making train travel a practical and environmentally friendly option. The festival location and other cities in the province are accessible via the Florence – Lucca – Viareggio train line. You can board trains from various major cities, including:

• From Florence: S.Maria Novella Station
• From Pisa: Central Station and Pisa Airport Station
• From Prato: Central Station
• From Viareggio: Central Station

For schedule and ticket information, visit the Trenitalia website.

By Car

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The A11 “Firenze – Mare” highway provides direct access to Pistoia, with several exits available for those coming from different directions:

Exits: Prato Ovest (for Quarrata, Agliana, and Montale), Pistoia, Montecatini Terme, Chiesina Uzzanese (for Pescia)

Here are the recommended routes depending on your origin:

• From Milan: Take the A1 Motorway towards Florence, and at the Florence North interchange, follow the A11 towards Pisa.
• From Rome: Similar to the Milan route, with the A1 connecting to the A11 at Florence North.
• From Genoa – Livorno: Use the A12 to the Pisa North interchange, then follow the A1 towards Florence and the A11 “Firenze Mare” towards Pisa.

By Bus

For those preferring public transportation, Pistoia and other localities in the state of Tuscany are accessible via regular bus lines operated by the public bus company Autolinee Toscane.

For those traveling not only from Tuscany but also from other Italian and European cities, Flixbus offers routes to Pistoia (visit Flixbus Pistoia page).

Regardless of the chosen mode of transportation, getting to the Pistoia Blues Festival is a simple and enjoyable journey, promising an unforgettable experience filled with music, culture, and scenic beauty.

Where to Stay for the Pistoia Blues Festival

For those who like to do everything on foot, the most obvious choice is to find a hotel in Pistoia, preferably within the historic center.

Another city with plenty of accommodation options is Montecatini Terme: you might find great rates there (see hotel options in Montecatini Terme). The city is famous for its thermal baths, and you can take the opportunity to fit in a few days of relaxation with massages and thermal baths.

Looking for ideas on what to do in Tuscany? Download the GetYourGuide app to discover tours, tickets, wine tastings, day trips, and local experiences across the region. New users can email promo@tuscany.tips with the subject line GetYourGuide Offer and receive the first-booking offer within a few minutes. More info here.

The city of Prato is also close to Pistoia and can be a valid alternative for travelers (search hotels in Prato). Known as an industrial city that produces textiles, its center is also charming, read about my visit to Prato Castle.

Florence is a bit further away but is always a great base for traveling through Tuscany. Here are our tips for hotels in Florence.