by InTrieste
A three-day festival celebrating food, music, culture and sport opened Friday in Latisana, underscoring the northeastern Italian town’s efforts to position itself as a growing tourist destination.
The event, known as Settembre Latisanese, will run from Sept. 5 to 7, offering more than 30 activities, including food and wine tastings, open-air markets, concerts, fashion shows and sporting events. Among the headline performances are Italian artists Maurizio Solieri, Pink Planet and Anna Tatangelo.
Regional tourism officials say the festival reflects the area’s growing appeal. Between January and July of this year, Latisana recorded a 24 percent increase in overnight stays compared with the same period in 2024, with more than 33,000 nights booked. Both domestic tourism, up 28.5 percent, and international arrivals, up 20 percent, contributed to the growth, with international visitors now forming the majority.
Situated along the Tagliamento River and close to Aprilia Marittima, a major marina complex with three docks and more than 2,500 berths, Latisana has become a hub for nautical tourism on the upper Adriatic. The town has also invested in so-called “slow tourism,” promoting cycling, nature trails and local gastronomy.
The festival was inaugurated by Sergio Emidio Bini, the regional councilor for tourism, who noted that the event was made possible with the support of local volunteers. “The variety of initiatives reflects the richness of a community ready to welcome new visitors,” he said.
Beyond the festival, regional authorities are supporting the revitalization of Latisana’s historic center through a $1.8 million initiative, partly financed by the region, to strengthen local businesses and enhance the town’s profile both in Italy and abroad.
