Novara Jazz Festival 2027, Italy

À quoi s’attendre en 2027

Novara Jazz Festival returns for its 24th edition, continuing its tradition as one of Italy’s most distinctive and long-running contemporary jazz events. The festival is organized by the cultural association NovaraJazz and takes place across multiple weekends in late May and early June. The 2027 edition will follow the established formula that has made this festival a cornerstone of the Piedmont region’s cultural calendar for over two decades.

Expect a program that extends well beyond conventional jazz boundaries. The festival’s curatorial vision emphasizes hybridity and cross-genre exploration, bringing together contemporary jazz, electronic experimentation, avant-garde improvisation, and interdisciplinary projects that engage with architecture, visual art, and local territory. The artistic direction has consistently prioritized both established international figures and emerging voices from the European scene, with a strong commitment to supporting new productions and premieres.

The festival distinguishes itself through its use of Novara’s architectural heritage as performance venues. Concerts take place in historic courtyards, churches, museums, galleries, and palazzi throughout the city center, as well as in locations across the surrounding province. This integration of music with architectural and landscape contexts creates a listening experience that is both intimate and site-specific. The Broletto courtyard serves as the main stage for the festival’s flagship evening concerts, while other venues host solo recitals, ensemble performances, and late-night jam sessions.

Beyond the concert program, Novara Jazz Festival incorporates street jazz performances by conservatory students, photographic exhibitions, DJ sets, and gastronomic experiences that celebrate local food and wine culture. The festival atmosphere is relaxed and convivial, with audiences moving between venues throughout the day and evening. For visitors from outside Italy, the festival offers an accessible introduction to the Italian and European contemporary jazz scenes in a welcoming, unpretentious setting.

Dates des événements

May – June 2027 (Dates TBD)

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Lieu et site du festival

The festival is headquartered in Novara, a city in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, approximately 50 kilometers west of Milan. The primary festival hub is the Cortile del Broletto, a historic courtyard in the city center that serves as the main stage for evening concerts and late-night performances. The Broletto complex, with its medieval origins and subsequent architectural layers, provides a dramatic backdrop for large ensemble performances and headline acts.

Additional venues within Novara include the Salone dell’Arengo, the Canonica del Duomo, the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Paolo e Adele Giannoni, the Museo di Storia Naturale Faraggiana, the Chiesa del Carmine, the Chiesa di San Giovanni Decollato, Palazzo Bellini, Palazzo Natta, and the Mura Romane. Each venue offers a distinct acoustic character and visual atmosphere, from sacred spaces with natural reverb to museum galleries that frame performances within art collections.

The festival also extends beyond Novara into the surrounding province, with concerts in locations such as Villa Caccia in Romagnano Sesia, Casa Antonelli in Maggiora, Villa Picchetta in Cameri, and the Castello di Cavagliano. These off-site events typically take place during the first weekend and feature performances that respond to the architectural and landscape features of these historic properties. The dispersion of events across multiple locations encourages exploration of the Novara territory and its cultural heritage.

Programmation complète

The complete lineup for 2027 will be announced in the months leading up to the festival. The artistic direction has historically revealed the program in phases, with initial announcements in late winter and the full schedule confirmed by spring. Based on the festival’s established curatorial patterns, the 2027 edition will feature a mix of Italian artists, European musicians, and international performers from beyond the continent.

Previous editions have included artists such as Gard Nilssen’s Supersonic Orchestra, Tania Giannouli, Laura Jurd, Julie Campiche, Claude Tchamitchian, Naïssam Jalal, Gianni Coscia, Rita Marcotulli, Fabrizio Bosso, Aki Takase, Alexander von Schlippenbach, and Francesco Bearzatti, among many others. The festival has a particular affinity for the Scandinavian jazz scene, the Swiss and Austrian contemporary scenes, and the vibrant Italian improvisation community.

The lineup typically features solo recitals, duos, trios, and larger ensembles, with a deliberate balance between acoustic and electronic approaches. Vocalists, pianists, string players, wind instrumentalists, and percussionists all find representation across the program. The festival also reserves space for young artists from conservatories across northern Italy through its Street Jazz initiative, which gives students opportunities to perform in public spaces throughout the city center.

Têtes d’affiche et artistes invités

Headline artists for 2027 will be confirmed as the festival program is finalized. The festival’s headliners are typically artists who have achieved significant recognition within the contemporary jazz world while maintaining a spirit of experimentation and openness to cross-genre collaboration. Recent headline performances have taken place in the Cortile del Broletto during the second weekend of the festival, drawing large audiences for evening concerts that often extend into late-night DJ sets.

Featured artists represent the festival’s commitment to presenting both established masters and rising talents. The “Swiss Focus” series has been a recurring feature, highlighting musicians from Switzerland through partnerships with cultural organizations. Similarly, the festival has spotlighted the Dutch jazz scene, the Scandinavian improvisation community, and the French contemporary scene. Italian artists occupy a central position in the program, with particular attention to figures who have shaped the country’s jazz history alongside emerging voices who are redefining its future.

Scènes et zones de spectacle

The festival operates across multiple stages and performance areas, each with its own character and programming profile. The Cortile del Broletto serves as the main stage for evening concerts, featuring larger ensembles and headline acts in an outdoor courtyard setting. The Salone dell’Arengo, within the Broletto complex, hosts concerts in an indoor environment with different acoustic properties. The courtyard and indoor spaces together create a dynamic flow between performances.

Churches including the Chiesa del Carmine and Chiesa di San Giovanni Decollato provide sacred acoustics for solo and small ensemble performances, often scheduled in the morning or late afternoon. Museum venues such as the Galleria Giannoni and the Museo Faraggiana place music in dialogue with visual art collections, with performances that respond to the surrounding exhibitions. Palazzo Bellini, a historic building associated with the Banca Popolare di Novara, hosts afternoon concerts, while the Mura Romane offers an open-air setting adjacent to the city’s Roman walls.

Street Jazz performances animate the city center throughout the festival, with conservatory students and young musicians performing in piazzas, streets, and public spaces. These performances are free and open to the public, creating an inclusive dimension to the festival experience. Off-site venues in the surrounding province, including castles and historic villas, host concerts that often incorporate tastings of local products, connecting music to the territory’s gastronomic culture.

Programme étape par étape

The detailed stage-by-stage schedule for 2027 will be published when the full program is announced. The festival typically follows a structure of two main weekends, with additional events on the Thursday and Friday between them. The first weekend focuses on locations across the province and the Antonelli heritage sites, while the second weekend concentrates on the city center of Novara. A preview event may take place on the Friday before the first full weekend.

Morning concerts typically begin between 10:00 and 12:00, often in churches or historic courtyards with breakfast or brunch offerings. Afternoon performances occur between 15:00 and 18:00 in museum and palazzo settings. Evening concerts commence around 19:00 or 21:00, with main stage performances at the Broletto continuing into late evening. Jam sessions and DJ sets may extend past midnight. The schedule is designed to allow audiences to move between venues and experience a range of performances in a single day.

Temps de set

Set times vary by venue and performance type. Solo recitals and intimate performances generally run 45 to 60 minutes. Ensemble concerts range from 60 to 90 minutes. Main stage evening concerts may feature multiple acts with sets of 60 to 75 minutes each. Late-night jam sessions and DJ sets are open-ended, often continuing until the early hours. Specific set times will be confirmed in the final program, typically published several weeks before the festival begins. Attendees should plan for some flexibility, as outdoor performances are subject to weather conditions.

Types de billets

Ticketing for the 2027 edition will follow the patterns established in previous years. The festival offers several options designed to accommodate different attendance patterns and budget levels.

Single concert tickets
Available for individual performances. Prices for previous editions have ranged from $6 to $15 depending on the venue and artist. Reduced-price tickets are often available for museum pass holders and students.

Day passes
Provide access to all festival events on a given day. This option is ideal for attendees who wish to experience multiple performances across different venues.

Weekend passes
Cover the Friday through Sunday program of a single weekend. The festival’s two-weekend structure means that separate passes may be available for each weekend.

Full festival passes
The most comprehensive option, providing access to all concerts across both weekends. Full passes represent the best value for dedicated attendees who plan to experience the entire program.

Street Jazz and selected events
Free admission. Street Jazz performances, certain outdoor events, and some community-oriented activities are open to the public at no cost.

Options VIP et premium

The festival’s ticketing structure has historically focused on accessibility rather than tiered VIP experiences. However, a limited number of premium options may be available. These can include reserved seating at main stage concerts, priority entry to certain venues, and access to artist talks or sound checks where such opportunities are arranged. The festival’s intimate scale means that even standard tickets often provide close proximity to performers in many venues. For information about premium experiences for 2027, contact the festival directly.

Règles de l’épreuve

Attendees should note the following general policies. Tickets are required for most concerts except Street Jazz performances and designated free events. Some venues have limited capacity, and entry is first-come, first-served. Photography and video recording policies vary by artist and venue, and attendees should observe posted guidelines. Outdoor performances may be subject to weather-related cancellation or relocation. The festival is family-friendly, and children are welcome at most events, though some late-night performances may be more suitable for adult audiences.

Comment y arriver

Novara is well-connected by rail and road to major cities in northern Italy. The city sits on the Milan-Turin railway corridor, with frequent train services from both cities. Malpensa Airport, Milan’s main international gateway, is approximately 40 kilometers from Novara, with direct train and bus connections. Linate Airport in Milan is also accessible by public transport.

By car, Novara is situated at the intersection of the A4 motorway (Turin-Milan-Venice) and the A26 motorway (Genoa-Gravellona Toce). The city center is well-signposted from motorway exits. However, parking in the historic center is limited, and visitors are encouraged to use public transport or park in peripheral areas and walk or take local buses to festival venues.

Transports en commun et stationnement

Novara’s urban bus network provides service throughout the city, with routes connecting the train station to the historic center and other festival areas. Bus tickets can be purchased at tobacco shops, newsstands, or via mobile apps. The festival’s central venues in the Broletto area are within walking distance of each other, making pedestrian movement between concerts convenient.

For those arriving by car, parking options include paid garages and metered street parking in the city center. Peripheral parking areas with bus connections to the center may offer more economical options. Off-site venues in the surrounding province generally have more available parking, though attendees should check individual venue information. The festival does not typically operate dedicated shuttle services, but public transport connections are available to many off-site locations.

Zones d’hébergement

Novara offers a range of accommodation options suitable for festival attendees. The city center, particularly the area around the train station and the historic core, provides convenient access to main festival venues. Hotels in this area range from economical three-star establishments to more comfortable four-star properties. During the festival period, early booking is recommended, as accommodations fill quickly.

Accommodations in the surrounding province may appeal to attendees with vehicles or those who prefer a quieter base. Towns such as Maggiora, Romagnano Sesia, and Oleggio offer smaller hotels and agriturismo options that provide a more rural experience while remaining within driving distance of festival events. Milan is also a viable base for day trips to Novara, given the frequent and fast train connections, though this option adds travel time and cost.

Nourriture et boissons

The festival integrates food and wine into its programming, with many off-site concerts including tastings of local products. The Novara province is known for its rice cultivation, and risotto dishes feature prominently in local cuisine. Gorgonzola, a cheese with protected designation of origin status, originates from the region. Local wines include Ghemme and Gattinara, both DOCG-designated red wines produced from Nebbiolo grapes in the surrounding hills.

In Novara city center, restaurants, trattorias, and cafes offer dining options ranging from traditional Piedmontese cuisine to contemporary Italian cooking. The area around the Broletto and the historic center has numerous establishments suitable for pre-concert meals or late-night dining. The festival period coincides with late spring, and outdoor seating is generally available. Attendees should note that many restaurants in smaller towns may have limited hours or require reservations during festival weekends.

Accessibilité

The festival strives to make events accessible to all attendees. Many venues in the historic center have step-free access or alternative routes for wheelchair users, though some historic buildings present challenges due to architectural constraints. The Cortile del Broletto, as an outdoor courtyard, is generally accessible. Churches and museums vary in their accessibility features. Attendees with specific accessibility needs should contact the festival in advance to receive detailed information about individual venues and any accommodations that can be arranged. For information, contact info@novarajazz.org.

Meilleurs jours à assister

The second weekend, typically Friday through Sunday, offers the most concentrated program of performances in Novara’s city center. This period features main stage concerts at the Broletto, solo recitals in museums and churches, and street jazz throughout the historic center. Saturday is often the busiest day, with events from morning through late night.

The first weekend provides an opportunity to explore the festival’s off-site programming in the surrounding province, with performances in castles, villas, and historic properties. These events are generally more intimate and include gastronomic elements. Thursday and Friday between the two weekends offer a quieter festival experience with select performances in city venues.

Faits marquants de l’année précédente

The 2026 edition featured performances by Lea Maria Fries Quartet, Julie Campiche, Yvonne Moriel Quartet, Naomi Berrill, Laura Jurd, Gianni Coscia, Rita Marcotulli, Fabrizio Bosso Spiritual Trio, Alsogood, and Bassolino, among others. The festival continued its “Swiss Focus” series and expanded its collaboration with the Antonellian Network, presenting concerts in architecturally significant sites associated with Alessandro Antonelli.

The 2025 edition, the festival’s 22nd, included Gard Nilssen’s Supersonic Orchestra, Tania Giannouli, Aki Takase and Alexander von Schlippenbach (who received the Chiave d’Oro award), Francesco Bearzatti’s Post Atomic Zep, Simona Severini, Ståle Storløkken, Silvia Bolognesi, and Kjetil Møster. The Dutch jazz scene was a particular focus that year, with multiple artists from the Netherlands featured across the program. The festival’s Street Jazz initiative brought conservatory students from across northern Italy to perform in Novara’s city center.

Billets officiels

Tickets for Novara Jazz Festival 2027 will be available through the festival’s official website and authorized ticketing partners. The festival typically announces ticket sales alongside the program announcement in spring. For updates and ticket information, visit https://www.novarajazz.org/ or contact info@novarajazz.org. Attendees are advised to purchase tickets only through official channels to ensure validity and avoid fraudulent resellers.

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