Maggio dei Monumenti 2026: Drunk with light, mad with colour

The 2026 edition, running from 2 May to 2 June, is dedicated to the theme “The Colours of Naples”, with the subtitle “Drunk with light, mad with colour”, inspired by a celebrated verse by Matilde Serao.

Yellow, white, blue and red become interpretative keys through which to explore the identity of the city, continuing the cycle of natural elements developed in previous editions.

The result is a rich and wide-ranging programme spanning all the Municipalities of Naples, with hundreds of events including guided tours, exhibitions, performances, cinema, talks and workshops.

The programme is divided into three main sections, each offering itineraries, initiatives and activities to explore the city through its colours.

The Main Program represents the heart of the festival: a series of initiatives curated and promoted directly by the Municipality of Naples, all free of charge.

The Main Program is organised into four main strands:

• Tinte forti – The diffuse exhibition

A network of thematic itineraries crossing the city and interpreting its heritage through the theme of colour. [Itineraries Catalogue ]

The routes include both iconic landmarks and lesser-known places, with extraordinary openings of sites usually closed to the public, offering an immersive and original experience.
[Learn more – Programme TINTE FORTI]

• Prismi – Talks and workshops

Meetings, seminars and educational activities explore colour from different perspectives: artistic, philosophical, scientific and narrative.

The programme includes seminars, talks and workshops dedicated to theatre, poetry and photography, open to the public.
[Learn more – Programme PRISMI]

• (In)Visible worlds – Cinema

The cinema section presents a retrospective dedicated to Krzysztof Kieślowski and a workshop for young filmmakers curated by Michelangelo Frammartino, alongside screenings and discussion events.
[Learn more – Programme (in)visibili mondi]

• Stefano Bollani in concert

The headline event of the festival is the concert by pianist and composer Stefano Bollani, taking place on 31 May at 9:00 pm at Rotonda Diaz.

A musical tribute to the city featuring guests Peppe Servillo, Ebbanesis and Daniele Sepe.
[Learn more – Programme Bollani]

Alongside the main programme, Maggio dei Monumenti expands across the city through the Diffuse Maggio, involving several Municipalities with dedicated cultural projects.

In particular, Municipalities 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 are involved, with programmes curated by cultural organisations active within local communities.

Projects include:

• guided tours and urban itineraries
• exhibitions and displays
• workshops and educational activities
• performances and live events

Among these initiatives is also City Vibes: Emotions in the Square, promoted by the Department of Urban Planning and the Strategic Projects Service of the Municipality of Naples.

The Diffuse Maggio is entirely free of charge and contributes to building a polycentric narrative of the city, enhancing neighbourhoods, communities and local heritage.

[Learn more – Programmes]

The Maggio programme is further enriched by the initiatives of La scuola adotta un monumento® (Schools adopt a monument), the historic educational project founded in 1992 and now active throughout Italy.

A calendar of guided tours, itineraries and activities organised by local school students contributes to the enhancement of Naples’ cultural heritage, offering participatory experiences focused on knowledge and active citizenship.

[Learn more – Programme - Le iniziative dalla città]

The programme is completed by the Initiatives from across the city, one of the richest and most widely attended sections of Maggio dei Monumenti.

This extensive calendar includes independent projects promoted by institutions, cultural organisations, universities, museums, foundations and local operators across the city, with both free and ticketed events.

The programme includes:

• exhibitions
• guided tours
• events and performances
• educational activities
• talks and meetings

[Learn more –– Programme - Le iniziative dalla città]