Feb 22 • 11:34 UTC 🇮🇹 Italy Il Giornale

Sanremo 2026, the definitive guide: dates, hosts, Big names, guests, and controversies

The 76th edition of the Sanremo Festival will take place from February 24 to 28, 2026, featuring 30 Big performers in a highly anticipated competition.

The highly anticipated 76th edition of the Festival di Sanremo is set to take place from February 24 to 28, 2026, once again turning the historic Teatro Ariston into the heart of Italian television. This annual music festival will feature five evenings filled with performances from 30 Big artists, acclaimed guests, and commentary often intertwined with political discussions. Following the record-breaking success of the previous edition, there is excitement around whether host Carlo Conti can surpass this achievement even further.

The opening night will see all 30 Big contestants debut their original songs to a national television audience on February 24, a critical moment that can significantly impact the songs' reception. The atmosphere during this first evening is particularly tense, as the arrangement and stage presence can greatly influence how artists are perceived. The voting process will uniquely rely on the press jury, tv, and online commentators, with only the top five positions announced at the end of the voting, adding to the suspense of the competition.

As the festival approaches, discussions around expectations, artist capacities, and emerging controversies are already bubbling. The Sanremo Festival is more than just a music competition; it serves as a microcosm of Italian culture and politics, creating a layered spectacle for audiences. Viewers and critics alike are poised to engage in this yearly tradition, amplifying the stakes for the performers and host alike, further intensifying the festival's significance in the Italian entertainment calendar.

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