Naples World 2026, Naples, Italie

• 3 décembre 2026
  Date de l'événement :
• 5 décembre 2026
  Fin de l'événement :

À quoi s’attendre en 2026

Napoli World 2026 returns to Naples from December 3–5, 2026, for its fifth edition as an international world music showcase festival and professional meet-up. The event brings together artists, music professionals, programmers, bookers, managers, cultural operators and audiences for three days of live showcases, industry meetings, panels and networking activities.

The festival has a strong international focus, with the 2026 Call for Artists receiving 534 applications from 85 countries. The selected artists will present their projects to national and international music professionals, creating opportunities for artistic promotion, networking and international collaboration.

Napoli World is promoted by Italian World Beat and Audioimage, with organisational direction from Fabio Scopino and Davide Mastropaolo. The artistic direction is entrusted to Neapolitan musician and composer Enzo Avitabile. The festival is supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Naples through the Napoli Città della Musica project, and forms part of UPBEAT – The European Showcase Platform for World Music.

The programme combines concerts with professional activities, making the event relevant both to general audiences interested in world music and to people working within the international music industry.

Dates des événements

Dates des festivals : December 3–5, 2026.

Napoli World is a three-day event taking place in different locations across Naples. The organisers have confirmed the dates for the fifth edition, while the detailed 2026 programme and individual performance schedule are being finalised.

Festival format: Live showcases, concerts, panels, conferences, workshops, speed meetings, networking activities and professional meet-ups.

2026 edition: Fifth edition of Napoli World.

The selection process for the live showcases follows the 2026 artist call, which attracted 534 applications from 85 countries. The final selection of performing artists is being made by the festival’s artistic and organisational team.

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Lieu et site du festival

Napoli World uses multiple venues across Naples rather than operating from one permanent festival site. The 2026 event is described by the organisers as taking place in different significant locations around the city, with the detailed venue programme to be confirmed.

Previous editions have used venues including:

• Teatro Nuovo Napoli
• Auditorium Novecento
• Kestè
• Chiesa delle Scalze
• Palazzo Cavalcanti
• Conservatorio San Pietro a Majella
• Auditorium Bagnoli
• Other historic and cultural locations

The festival has previously concentrated activities in central Naples and has also used specialist cultural and performance spaces for showcases and professional meetings.

Festival city: Naples, Campania, Italy.

Visitors should check the final official programme before travelling because the 2026 locations and performance venues may differ from previous editions.

Programmation complète

The complete 2026 artist lineup has not yet been published. The Call for Artists closed after receiving 534 applications from 85 countries, and the organisers are conducting the selection process for the live showcase programme.

The 2026 programme is expected to feature selected artists and music projects working across world music, folk, ethnic music and contemporary musical fusions.

The festival’s application process is open to artists, groups and musical projects from Italy and internationally, with particular attention to projects capable of representing different cultural backgrounds and musical traditions.

2026 lineup status: Selected artists to be announced by the organisers.

The high number of international submissions means the final programme is expected to represent a broad range of countries, musical traditions and contemporary world music approaches, but individual acts should not be treated as confirmed until published by Napoli World.

Têtes d’affiche et artistes invités

Napoli World does not follow the conventional commercial festival model of announcing a small number of headline acts. Its central focus is on selected showcase artists and projects presenting their music to an international professional audience.

Artistic director: Enzo Avitabile, the Naples-born musician, composer and saxophonist, leads the artistic direction of Napoli World. His work combines Neapolitan musical traditions with world music, jazz and soul influences.

2026 showcase artists: The final selection is still being prepared following the international Call for Artists.

International delegates: The festival attracts programmers, festival directors, booking professionals, cultural operators and music-industry representatives from different countries. Previous delegate lists have included representatives connected with events and organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and other international markets.

Scènes et zones de spectacle

Napoli World does not operate with permanent festival stages. Performances take place in theatres, auditoriums, cultural centres and other venues throughout Naples.

Previous editions demonstrate the variety of spaces used for showcases:

Auditorium Novecento: Previously hosted several showcase performances, providing a dedicated indoor concert environment.

Auditorium Bagnoli: Previously hosted a sequence of evening showcases featuring international and Italian artists.

Teatro Nuovo Napoli: Used during earlier editions for performances and festival activities.

Cultural and historic venues: The festival has also incorporated churches, cultural foundations, conservatory spaces and historic locations into its programme.

The exact 2026 performance locations and stage configuration should be checked in the final official programme.

Programme étape par étape

The detailed 2026 stage schedule has not yet been released because the final showcase artist selection is still underway.

The programme is expected to be organised around several types of activities:

Live showcase venues: Selected artists will perform short professional showcase sets for music-industry delegates and audiences.

Conference and panel spaces: Industry discussions will address topics connected with world music, cultural exchange, internationalisation and the music business.

Networking locations: Professional meetings and speed-meeting sessions provide opportunities for artists and industry representatives to establish contacts.

Night programme: Previous editions have included evening showcases and live music activities extending beyond daytime professional sessions.

The final venue-by-venue schedule will be published by Napoli World once the 2026 programme has been completed.

Temps de set

Individual 2026 set times have not yet been announced.

Previous Napoli World programmes demonstrate that the festival generally combines daytime professional activities with afternoon and evening showcases. The 2025 programme, for example, included showcase performances beginning in the afternoon and continuing late into the evening, with multiple artists scheduled at Auditorium Novecento and Auditorium Bagnoli.

Once the 2026 artist selection is complete, visitors should check the official programme for:

• Artist performance times
• Venue opening times
• Panel sessions
• Workshop times
• Speed-meeting sessions
• Networking activities
• Evening showcase schedules

Types de billets

Public concerts: The 2026 live programme is expected to include free concerts and showcases open to the public. Current event information describes the live programme as free and open to audiences, subject to available capacity.

Professional activities: Panels, networking sessions, meetings and industry activities are primarily designed for music professionals, delegates, artists and cultural operators.

Admission générale : No general paid festival ticket has been announced.

The previous edition also offered its public events free of charge until capacity was reached. Visitors should check the official programme for any registration requirements attached to professional sessions or specific venues.

Options VIP et premium

Napoli World does not currently advertise a conventional VIP ticket or premium hospitality package.

The professional side of the festival instead provides access to industry-focused activities for eligible participants, including:

• Réseautage professionnel
• Speed meetings
• Panels and conferences
• Meetings with international programmers
• Showcase performances
• Cultural-industry discussions
• International music-market connections

Previous delegate programmes have included festival directors, booking professionals, music journalists, cultural organisations and international showcase representatives.

Any 2026 professional accreditation or delegate-registration requirements should be checked through the official Napoli World information when the final programme is released.

Règles de l’épreuve

Visitors and participants should follow the rules of each individual venue and the festival’s professional and showcase regulations.

Venue capacity: Public access to free performances can be subject to available capacity.

Showcase participation: Selected artists must comply with the festival’s showcase rules and performance requirements.

Professional access: Industry meetings and networking sessions may be intended specifically for accredited delegates, artists or registered professionals.

Performance rights: Artists and participating organisations are responsible for the necessary permissions and rights associated with their performances and repertoire.

Venue regulations: Photography, recording, bags, food, drinks and other visitor rules may differ between theatres, churches, cultural centres and other festival locations.

Visitors should check the specific rules attached to each venue before attending.

Comment y arriver

Par train : Napoli Centrale is the principal railway station and the main arrival point for visitors travelling from other Italian cities. High-speed services connect Naples with Rome, Florence, Milan and other major Italian destinations.

Par avion : Naples International Airport is the city’s main airport and is located a short distance from the centre.

En voiture : Visitors arriving by car should consider parking outside the most restricted central areas and continuing by public transport, particularly when attending multiple venues.

À pied : Several central Naples locations can be reached conveniently on foot, although the festival’s use of multiple venues means that some performances may require public transport.

Because the 2026 festival is spread across different locations, visitors should check the specific venue for each performance before planning their route.

Transports en commun et stationnement

Métro : Naples Metro provides useful connections between the central railway station and several parts of the city.

Funiculars: Naples’ funicular network is particularly useful for reaching elevated neighbourhoods and areas away from the historic centre.

Bus : Local buses provide additional connections between central Naples, residential districts and cultural venues.

Rail : Napoli Centrale and Napoli Piazza Garibaldi form an important public transport hub for visitors arriving by train.

Stationnement : Street parking and access can be difficult in central Naples. Visitors travelling by car should use authorised car parks and avoid entering restricted areas without checking current traffic regulations.

Since the 2026 festival uses multiple locations, the most practical transport option can vary according to the venue and accommodation area.

Zones d’hébergement

Centre historique : A convenient choice for visitors who want to stay close to cultural venues, restaurants and many potential festival locations.

Centro Storico : Particularly suitable for visitors combining Napoli World with sightseeing, museums, churches and local nightlife.

Chiaia: An attractive area with restaurants, cafés, shopping and good connections toward central Naples.

Vomero: A quieter residential area connected to the centre by funiculars and public transport.

Near Napoli Centrale: Convenient for visitors arriving by train and those planning excursions outside Naples.

Bagnoli: Potentially useful if the final 2026 programme includes venues in the western part of the city, as previous Napoli World editions have used Auditorium Bagnoli.

Visitors should select accommodation according to the final 2026 venue map rather than relying exclusively on previous editions.

Nourriture et boissons

Napoli World takes place in one of Italy’s most important food cities, giving visitors numerous opportunities to combine festival activities with traditional Neapolitan cuisine.

Popular choices include:

• Neapolitan pizza
• Pizza fritta
• Pasta alla Genovese
• Spaghetti alle vongole
• Ragù napoletano
• Frittatina di pasta
• Cuoppo fritto
• Mozzarella di bufala
• Sfogliatella
• Babà
• Espresso
• Local wines and Campanian specialties

The historic centre offers numerous pizzerias, cafés, bakeries and restaurants within walking distance of cultural venues. Visitors attending evening showcases can easily combine performances with dinner or late-night food stops.

The festival’s wider cultural mission also places emphasis on the relationship between Naples, its local creative scene and international cultural exchange.

Accessibilité

Accessibility can vary because Napoli World uses different theatres, churches, auditoriums and cultural locations rather than one dedicated festival site.

Visitors with accessibility requirements should confirm the individual venue before attending, particularly when the programme includes historic buildings.

Venue access: Each participating location can have different entrances, seating arrangements and facilities.

Transports en commun : Accessibility varies across Naples’ metro, bus and funicular network.

Crowds: Free showcases can become busy, particularly at popular evening performances.

Assistance: Visitors who require specific access arrangements should contact the festival organisers before attending so that the appropriate venue information can be provided.

The final 2026 programme should be consulted for location-specific accessibility information.

Meilleurs jours à assister

December 3: A good choice for visitors who want to experience the opening phase of the festival and begin with the first showcase and professional activities.

December 4: Suitable for visitors interested in experiencing a broader mix of live showcases, networking and industry programming.

December 5: Useful for visitors who want to experience the final day of performances and closing activities.

For the fullest Napoli World experience, attending all three days allows visitors to combine live music with professional meetings, panels and networking activities. The exact daily balance will depend on the final 2026 programme.

Faits marquants de l’année précédente

The 2025 edition featured a substantial showcase programme with artists including Valerie Ekoumè, Adil Smaali & Elements of Baraka, Kizaba, TTGS, Mimmo Epifani, Yacine Rosa, Sandro Joyeux, Lindal, Ylenia Cuzzolino, Christian Di Fiore 5tet, Mariaa Siga, Magali Sare & Manel Fortia, Fiorenza Calogero and Ahmed Eid & ILYF.

The 2025 programme also included professional activities such as the Transglobal World Music Chart 10th-anniversary celebration, the NEST Music Incubator panel, a workshop and speed-meeting sessions for industry professionals.

Previous editions have brought together international programmers, festival directors, booking professionals and cultural operators from numerous countries, reinforcing the festival’s role as a professional meeting point as well as a public music event.

The 2026 edition builds on that format with a much larger international artist response: 534 applications were received from 85 countries for the live showcase call. The final selected artists will be announced after the organisers complete their evaluation process.

Billets officiels

Napoli World’s public live showcases are currently described as free and open to the public, subject to venue capacity. No general paid 2026 festival ticket has been announced.

Official event website: https://www.musiconnect-italy.com/

2026 programme: The final programme, artist lineup, venues and performance times should be checked through the official Napoli World website as selections are confirmed.

Professional information: Artists, delegates and music-industry professionals should use the official festival channels for showcase applications, accreditation and networking information.

Organisers: Italian World Beat and Audioimage.

Artistic director: Enzo Avitabile.

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