What to expect
Trento Economy Festival was first organised in 2006 with aim of creating space where experts share viewpoints with general public. Festival of Economics takes place every year in Trento since its first edition in 2006. Every year, Nobel prize winners and internationally-renowned scholars, politicians, intellectuals, economists, trade unionists and journalists discuss and debate with audience of festival on extremely important and contemporary issues.
The University of Trento is involved in festival at different levels and hosts many events in its departments. Many of University’s departments host events, transforming squares, palaces and theatres into spaces for meeting and dialogue. The Festival dell’Economia di Trento takes place in places that enhance territory, transforming squares, palaces and theatres into spaces for meeting and dialogue.
Festival is organized by 24 ORE Group and Trentino Marketing on behalf of Autonomous Province of Trento and in collaboration with Municipality of Trento and University of Trento. It is special edition to celebrate 20 years of Festival and 160 years of Il Sole 24 Ore trying to understand future of Europe, with over four days more than 300 events with initiatives.
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Events are free, but participants need to register. Program of four-day Festival is available at festivaleconomia.it website, where all events and speakers are published. Information on facilities for travelling and staying in Trento during days of Festival is available.
Event dates
Bold heading: Official Dates: May 2027 (Dates TBD)
Bold heading: Historical Pattern: Recent editions: May 20-26 2026, May 22-25 2025, May 23-26 2024, May 20-24 2026 twenty-first edition theme From the Market to the New Powers The Hopes of Young People. The 21st edition officially opened under headline From the market to new powers. Festival typically spans four to six days in May.
Bold heading: Duration: Four-day to six-day festival with over 300 events.
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Venue & exhibition site
Bold heading: Trento City Venues: Festival dell’Economia di Trento takes place in places that enhance territory, transforming squares, palaces and theatres into spaces for meeting and dialogue, including Auditorium Santa Chiara, Teatro Sociale Trento, University departments.
Bold heading: University of Trento: University of Trento hosts many events in its departments, involved at different levels.
Bold heading: Historic Theatres: Teatro Sociale Trento hosting concerts and incontri such as Francesca Michielin Incontro and Guè Pequeno Festival dell’economia, plus Auditorium Santa Chiara for closing events like Italian singer Noemi interviewed by journalist and Radio 24 speaker at 8.30 pm.
Bold heading: Squares and Palaces: Squares, palaces and theatres across Trento historic centre become venues.
Full event programme
Bold heading: 300+ Events: Over four days more than 300 events with initiatives, 111 meetings animated by 237 speakers in past editions, with up to 300+ events in recent editions.
Bold heading: Economie dei Territori: The Economie dei territori programme proposes journey through great transformations that are changing way we live, work and inhabit territories.
Bold heading: Books Programme: World of books at Festival dell’Economia di Trento is back on fire thanks to renewed collaboration between 24 ORE Group and some major Italian publishers.
Bold heading: Student Programme: Teachers can take students to Festival, with young voices taking leading role in recent editions.
Bold heading: Free Registration: Events are free but participants need to register, program available at festivaleconomia.it website.
Key speakers & keynote speakers
Bold heading: Nobel Laureates: Festival hosts 5-6 Nobel Prize winners, with Edmund Phelps Keynesian economist remembered as important personality of Festival, plus other Nobel prize winners and internationally-renowned scholars.
Bold heading: Ministers and Institutions: Among participants 16-22 Ministers, 66 representatives of national and European institutions, 61 managers and entrepreneurs, 45 national and international economists, plus politicians, intellectuals, economists, trade unionists and journalists.
Bold heading: Academic World: 80-107 speakers from academic world, 40 economists, 40 international speakers, with University of Trento involvement.
Bold heading: Cultural Guests: Italian singer Noemi interviewed at Auditorium Santa Chiara, Francesca Michielin at Teatro Sociale, plus other cultural figures like Guè Pequeno, Laurie Anderson history of performances at Teatro Sociale.
Bold heading: Organizers: Fabio Tamburini press conference for Festival, with 24 ORE Group leadership.
Conference sessions & tracks
Bold heading: Market to New Powers Theme: 21st edition theme From the Market to the New Powers The Hopes of Young People, 20 years of Festival and 160 years of Il Sole 24 Ore trying to understand future of Europe, headline From the market to new powers.
Bold heading: Economie dei Territori Track: Journey through great transformations changing way we live, work and inhabit territories.
Bold heading: Migration Discussions: Festival dell’Economia, migration will also be discussed, immigration topic in 19th edition.
Bold heading: ISEA Agenda: ISEA Agenda at Festival dell’Economia Trento 2026 with ISEA Istituto di Studi per l’Economia Applicata applied economics returns.
Bold heading: Interdisciplinary Debate: Extremely important and contemporary issues debated with audience, including economics, politics, society.
Session times & schedule
Bold heading: Four-Day Structure: Program of four-day Festival available at website, with events from morning to evening including 8.30 pm closing events at Auditorium Santa Chiara.
Bold heading: Daily Flow: Events throughout day in squares, palaces, theatres, University departments, with up to 14 simultaneous sessions typical.
Bold heading: Free Access: Events are free but participants need to register, with facilities for travelling and staying information available.
Bold heading: On Demand: Program with all events and speakers published at festivaleconomia.it.
Ticket types & registration
Bold heading: Free Registration: Events are free but participants need to register via official website https://www.festivaleconomia.it/.
Bold heading: Student Registration: Teachers can register students, with dedicated programme for schools.
Bold heading: Pricing in USD – Based on Previous Editions: Festival historically free with registration required, no ticket price. Optional paid workshops if any previously EUR 0 to EUR 30 approximately USD 0 to USD 32. Main festival free. Check official site for 2027 registration types.
Bold heading: Facilities Information: Information on facilities for travelling and staying available at website link.
Registration deadlines
Bold heading: Advance Registration: Advance registration recommended via official website to secure seats, as events free but registration required and popular sessions fill quickly.
Bold heading: Student Deadlines: Teacher student group registration may have earlier deadlines.
Bold heading: On-Site: On-site registration possible but advance preferred.
Exhibitor list & major companies
Bold heading: Organizers and Partners: Organized by Gruppo Il Sole 24 Ore and Autonomous Province of Trento, with Trentino Marketing on behalf of Autonomous Province, in collaboration with Municipality of Trento and University of Trento.
Bold heading: Publishers: Renewed collaboration between 24 ORE Group and major Italian publishers for books programme.
Bold heading: ISEA Institute: ISEA Istituto di Studi per l’Economia Applicata participating with agenda.
Bold heading: Institutions: National and European institutions, managers and entrepreneurs, plus cultural guests.
Bold heading: Not Traditional Exhibitors: Festival is not trade fair with exhibitor booths but forum with speakers and institutions, with 61 managers and entrepreneurs participating.
Exhibition halls & floor plan
Bold heading: No Traditional Halls: Festival does not have traditional exhibition halls and floor plan but uses city venues transforming squares, palaces and theatres into spaces for meeting and dialogue.
Bold heading: Key Venues Map: Venues include Auditorium Santa Chiara, Teatro Sociale, University departments, historic palaces and squares across Trento.
Bold heading: City-Wide Floor Plan: City-wide layout with events in multiple locations, information on venues available at festivaleconomia.it.
Networking & business meetings
Bold heading: Expert-Public Dialogue: Space where experts share viewpoints with general public, discussing and debating with audience on important issues.
Bold heading: Institutional Networking: Representatives of national and European institutions, managers and entrepreneurs networking.
Bold heading: Academic Collaboration: University of Trento involvement at different levels, hosting events.
Bold heading: Young Voices: Young voices taking leading role, with hopes of young people theme.
Industry sectors & highlights
Bold heading: Economics Festival: Trento Economy Festival focused on economics, politics, society, with extremely important and contemporary issues.
Bold heading: Future of Europe: Special edition celebrating 20 years of Festival and 160 years of Il Sole 24 Ore trying to understand future of Europe.
Bold heading: Market to New Powers: Theme From the Market to the New Powers The Hopes of Young People highlighting transformation of powers and youth.
Bold heading: Migration and Social Issues: Migration and immigration discussed among contemporary issues.
Bold heading: Economie dei Territori: Great transformations changing way we live, work and inhabit territories.
Event rules & visitor information
Bold heading: Free but Registration Required: Events are free but participants need to register via website.
Bold heading: Venue Rules: Venues are historic palaces, theatres and squares, with respect for heritage sites required.
Bold heading: Student Groups: Teachers can take students, with specific rules for school groups.
Bold heading: Facilities Information: Information on facilities for travelling and staying available via official link.
How to get there
Bold heading: By Air: Verona Airport VRN closest, plus Milan and Venice airports, then train or bus to Trento.
Bold heading: By Train: Trento railway station with connections from Verona, Milan, Bolzano, then walk or bus to venues in historic centre.
Bold heading: By Car: Driving to Trento with parking facilities outside historic centre and shuttle to venues.
Bold heading: Address: Trento city centre, with venues across city, main info at festivaleconomia.it.
Public transport & parking
Bold heading: Local Buses: Local buses in Trento serving historic centre and university areas.
Bold heading: Walking: City-wide venues walkable within historic centre, transforming squares and palaces into walkable circuit.
Bold heading: Parking: Parking facilities outside historic centre with shuttle, as venues in pedestrian areas.
Bold heading: Facilities: Facilities for travelling information available at official website link.
Accommodation areas
Bold heading: Historic Centre – Closest: Hotels in Trento historic centre near Teatro Sociale and Auditorium Santa Chiara offer walking distance to venues, prices previously USD 80 to USD 200 per night during festival.
Bold heading: University Area: Hotels near University of Trento departments hosting events, prices previously USD 70 to USD 160 per night.
Bold heading: Surrounding Trentino: Hotels in surrounding Trentino area with bus connection, prices previously USD 60 to USD 140 per night.
Bold heading: Budget Options: Hostels and budget B&Bs in Trento offer dorm beds USD 25 to USD 45 and private rooms USD 60 to USD 120.
Bold heading: Luxury: Luxury hotels in Trento offer high-end stays previously USD 150 to USD 350 per night.
Previous year’s highlights
Bold heading: 2025-2026 Editions: 20th edition celebrating 20 years of Festival and 160 years of Il Sole 24 Ore, with 6 Nobel Prize winners, 16 Ministers, 107 speakers from academic world, 45 national and international economists, 66 representatives of institutions, 61 managers and entrepreneurs, over 300 events, 111 meetings animated by 237 speakers, 300+ initiatives, theme From Market to New Powers The Hopes of Young People, young voices leading role, migration discussions, Economie dei territori programme, books collaboration, ISEA agenda.
Bold heading: Cultural Closing: Excellent closing of first day with Italian singer Noemi interviewed by journalist at Auditorium Santa Chiara 8.30 pm.
Bold heading: Nobel Legacy: Edmund Phelps remembered as important personality, plus other Nobel laureates.
Official registration & tickets
Bold heading: Official Website: https://www.festivaleconomia.it/
Bold heading: Contact: direzione@trentinomarketing.org, with organization by 24 ORE Group and Trentino Marketing on behalf of Autonomous Province of Trento.
Bold heading: Registration: Events are free but participants need to register via website where all events and speakers published, with facilities for travelling and staying information available.
Bold heading: Pricing in USD: Free registration typically, with no ticket price historically. If paid premium events exist, previously EUR 0 to EUR 30 approximately USD 0 to USD 32. Check official site for 2027 official registration and tickets.
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FAQ
Who organizes Festival dell'Economia and what is its purpose?
Festival dell'Economia di Trento was first organised in 2006 with aim of creating space where experts share viewpoints with general public, organized by Gruppo Il Sole 24 Ore and Trentino Marketing on behalf of Autonomous Province of Trento and in collaboration with Municipality of Trento and University of Trento. Every year Nobel prize winners and internationally-renowned scholars, politicians, intellectuals, economists, trade unionists and journalists discuss and debate with audience on extremely important and contemporary issues. University of Trento is involved at different levels and hosts many events in its departments, transforming squares, palaces and theatres into spaces for dialogue.
Where does festival take place and do I need tickets?
Festival takes place in places that enhance territory, transforming squares, palaces and theatres into spaces for meeting and dialogue across Trento historic centre, including Auditorium Santa Chiara, Teatro Sociale Trento, University departments and historic palaces. Events are free but participants need to register via official website https://www.festivaleconomia.it/ where program and facilities for travelling and staying information is available. Venues are walkable within historic centre, with city-wide layout rather than traditional exhibition halls and floor plan, requiring advance registration due to popularity.
What topics and tracks are covered?
Recent themes include From the Market to the New Powers The Hopes of Young People with 21st edition officially opened under headline From market to new powers, plus special edition celebrating 20 years of Festival and 160 years of Il Sole 24 Ore trying to understand future of Europe. Tracks include Economie dei territori programme proposing journey through great transformations changing way we live, work and inhabit territories, migration and immigration discussions, ISEA Istituto di Studi per l'Economia Applicata agenda, books programme with major Italian publishers, and young voices taking leading role. Over 300 events cover economics, politics, society and contemporary issues.
Who are typical speakers and how many attend?
Among participants there are 6 Nobel Prize winners, 16 Ministers, 107 speakers from academic world, 45 national and international economists, 66 representatives of national and European institutions, 61 managers and entrepreneurs, plus politicians, intellectuals, trade unionists and journalists, with 111 meetings animated by 237 speakers in past editions. Speakers include Nobel laureates like Edmund Phelps remembered as important personality, plus ministers such as Giancarlo Giorgetti historically, academic experts, cultural guests like Italian singer Noemi interviewed at Auditorium Santa Chiara and Francesca Michielin at Teatro Sociale. Audience includes general public, students, families and professionals engaging in debate.
Is festival suitable for students and general public?
Yes, festival was created as space where experts share viewpoints with general public, with every year Nobel prize winners and internationally-renowned scholars discussing with audience on important contemporary issues, and teachers can take students to Festival with dedicated programme and young voices taking leading role. Events are free but registration required, with over 300 events making it accessible to general public beyond industry professionals, plus facilities for travelling and staying information available for visitors. Program includes books, cultural events and Economie dei territori journey accessible to non-experts, transforming squares and theatres into inclusive dialogue spaces.
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