by InTrieste
Grado will mark the week surrounding Ferragosto, Italy’s mid-August holiday, with a program of concerts, cultural events and outdoor entertainment, culminating in a fireworks display over the Adriatic on Aug. 15.
The week’s events, scheduled from Aug. 13 to 19, will include performances by Italian musicians and DJs, a public discussion with economist Carlo Cottarelli, the Grado Music Festival and a concert by the pop duo Benji & Fede.
The centerpiece of the Ferragosto celebrations will be a fireworks and music show on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 11 p.m. The display will be staged near the Nazario Sauro Dam, with synchronized lights and music visible from the waterfront and beaches.
The local tourism organization GIT will also offer several options for watching the fireworks, including beach events, dinners and other activities at the resort’s bathing establishments. Other venues will host concerts, DJ sets and food events throughout the weekend.
Music will take center stage at the Grado Music Festival, which runs from Aug. 14 to 16 at the Nazario Sauro Dam. The three-day program, which is free to attend, will feature national and international performers.
Friday’s program will include DJ and producer Joe T Vannelli and the History of House format. Saturday will begin with Grado Music Festival Young, aimed at children, followed by M’Innamoro – La Notte Italiana and a DJ set by Mauro Miclini, a longtime voice of Radio Deejay. Sunday’s program will feature Nathalie Aarts, lead vocalist of The Soundlovers, as part of Back to the Hits ’90/’00, a program centered on dance music from the 1990s and 2000s.
The cultural program will include a final installment of the Libri e Autori literary series on Thursday, Aug. 13. Carlo Cottarelli, an economist and former director of the International Monetary Fund’s fiscal affairs department, will present his latest book, L’economia facile, published by Solferino. The book examines contemporary economic issues in accessible terms.
Grado will also host the Alpe Adria Puppet Festival, which returns for its 35th edition from Aug. 17 to 22. The international festival focuses on contemporary puppetry and visual theater, with performances, workshops and productions from Italy and abroad. Events will take place at venues across the island, including the Falco Marin Library, the Underwater Archaeological Museum, Campo Patriarca Elia and the Biagio Marin Auditorium.
The week will conclude with Grado Green Live, a festival combining music, youth participation and discussions about sustainability. On Aug. 18, Benji & Fede will perform a free concert at the Nazario Sauro Dam. The following day, the Velarium at the GIT beach will host discussions about sustainable events, the Green Live Contest for emerging artists and meetings with professionals from the entertainment industry.
The Ferragosto weekend will also include a series of events organized by the town’s beach establishments. At Tivoli, the Chalet Dolomiti event will return for its 11th edition, combining music and food with its annual Sci Vintage Party. Bora Bora Beach will host DJ sets, aperitifs and a Harley-Davidson gathering, while Parco delle Rose will host Sapori d’Italia – Festa Romana, focused on Roman-style street food.
Visitors arriving in Grado can also use seasonal maritime connections with Trieste, Aquileia and Lignano. A free shuttle bus will connect the Sacca dei Moreri parking area with the beaches, with services running approximately every 20 minutes.
On Aug. 15, restrictions on vehicle access to Grado’s historic center will be in place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of the town’s traffic management measures for the holiday.
