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Italy’s most iconic music event is back.

This week, the legendary Festival di Sanremo returns to the stage of the Teatro Ariston, bringing five nights of live performances, emotional ballads, dramatic voting twists, and the unmistakable glamour that has defined Italian pop culture for over 70 years.

Here is your complete guide to Sanremo 2026 — dates, schedule, where to watch, how the voting works, and the biggest names competing.

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When Is It Happening?

Sanremo 2026 runs from February 24 to February 28, Tuesday through Saturday.

Each night starts around 8:30 PM CET — and trust me, it runs late. Very late. Midnight is optimistic. Sanremo doesn’t believe in early bedtimes.

Everything happens in the seaside city of Sanremo, inside the historic Teatro Ariston, which has hosted the festival since 1977. That stage has seen tears, standing ovations, scandals, fashion disasters, and songs that defined generations.

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Where Can You Watch It?

If you’re in Italy, it airs live on Rai 1.

If you’re watching internationally, you can stream it on RaiPlay (free with registration, though some regions may have restrictions).

In Romania, it’s broadcast on TVR 1.

Pro tip: Clear your evenings. All of them.

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What Happens Each Night?

Sanremo isn’t just one show — it’s five escalating chapters.

Tuesday – First Listen (Feb 24)

All competing artists perform their original songs for the first time. First impressions matter — and sometimes they define the entire week.

Wednesday & Thursday – The Competition Tightens (Feb 25 & 26)

Artists perform again (split across the two nights), and the rankings begin to shift as radio juries and public televote come into play. This is when fan favorites start emerging.

Friday – Cover Night (Feb 27)

Possibly the most entertaining night of the week. Artists perform a cover — often with surprise guests. It can be nostalgic, chaotic, brilliant, or completely unexpected. Even though it doesn’t fully determine the winner, it often produces the most viral moments.

Saturday – The Grand Final (Feb 28)

All songs are performed again.
The Top 5 is revealed.
A final vote happens.
And Italy crowns its winner.

Traditionally, the winner earns the right to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest — although participation isn’t automatic.

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Names to Watch this Year

Sanremo always blends newcomers with icons. These are five artists deeply rooted in the Sanremo universe — and serious names to keep an eye on.

Arisa

Arisa, born Rosalba Pippa in 1982, is one of the most distinctive and emotionally powerful voices in contemporary Italian pop. She first gained national attention in 2009, when she won the New Proposals category at the Festival di Sanremo with “Sincerità.” Since then, she has built a reputation for her authenticity, vocal control, and ability to deliver deeply personal performances that resonate with audiences across generations.

Her relationship with Sanremo is particularly strong: she returned multiple times to the Ariston stage and won the main competition in 2014 with “Controvento.” Over the years, she has consistently balanced classic Italian ballad tradition with modern pop influences, becoming both a jury favorite and a public darling. Beyond the festival, she has released several successful albums and expanded her presence in Italian entertainment as a television personality and vocal coach.

If you want to explore her music — from early hits like “Sincerità” to her later, more mature work — you can listen to her official Spotify profile here:

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Ermal Meta

Ermal Meta, born in 1981 in Fier, Albania, and raised in Italy, is one of the most respected singer-songwriters in contemporary Italian music. Before launching his solo career, he was an established songwriter, writing for major Italian artists and building a reputation for his lyrical depth and emotional intelligence. His solo breakthrough came in the mid-2010s, when his introspective style and poetic songwriting quickly set him apart in the Italian pop landscape.

His bond with the Festival di Sanremo is particularly significant. After competing solo in 2017, he won the festival in 2018 alongside Fabrizio Moro with “Non mi avete fatto niente,” a powerful, socially conscious song that later represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest. Ermal is known for his refined stage presence, strong live vocals, and meaningful lyrics — qualities that consistently earn him both critical acclaim and public support.

If you want to dive into his discography — from emotional ballads to politically aware anthems — you can explore his official Spotify profile here:

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Elettra Lamborghini

Elettra Lamborghini, born in 1994 in Bologna, Italy, is a bold and charismatic figure in Italian pop music, known for her energetic performances and larger-than-life personality. She comes from a famous family — granddaughter of Ferruccio Lamborghini, founder of the luxury car brand — but has carved her own path in music, blending Latin pop, reggaeton, and contemporary Italian pop styles. Her distinctive style and media-savvy persona make her a standout both on stage and online.

Her connection with the Festival di Sanremo includes previous participations where she brought high-energy performances and unforgettable moments, often blending music with strong visual and fashion statements. She represents the modern, viral side of Sanremo, bridging pop music with social media buzz and international appeal.

You can listen to her full discography and latest tracks on her official Spotify profile here:

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Raf

Raf, born Raffaele Riefoli in 1959 in Margherita di Savoia, Italy, is a veteran of Italian pop music with a career spanning more than three decades. He first rose to fame in the 1980s with hits that combined catchy melodies with thoughtful lyrics, quickly establishing himself as a staple of Italian pop and soft rock. Over the years, Raf has released numerous albums, achieving both commercial success and critical acclaim for his songwriting and vocal style.

His history with the Festival di Sanremo is extensive, with multiple appearances over the years that showcased his consistent artistry and deep connection to Italian musical tradition. Raf embodies the classic Sanremo artist — experienced, musically sophisticated, and admired by both juries and audiences alike.

To explore his rich musical catalogue, you can listen to his official Spotify profile here:

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Malika Ayane

Malika Ayane, born in 1984 in Milan, Italy, is a critically acclaimed singer known for her sophisticated voice and versatile musical style, blending pop, soul, and jazz influences. She has built a reputation for her refined artistry, emotional delivery, and distinctive vocal timbre, making her one of the most respected contemporary voices in Italian music.

Her relationship with the Festival di Sanremo is notable, with multiple participations that earned her both jury praise and public admiration. Malika’s performances are often characterized by elegance and precision, balancing technical skill with deep emotional resonance, which makes her a standout figure every time she steps on the Ariston stage.

You can explore her full discography and latest tracks on her official Spotify profile here:

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Sanremo 2026 — Why You Should Tune In

Sanremo 2026 promises five nights of music, drama, and unforgettable performances from both legendary and rising stars. From February 24 to 28, the iconic Festival di Sanremo returns to the Teatro Ariston, showcasing a perfect mix of classic Italian ballads, modern pop hits, and surprise collaborations. With high-profile artists like Arisa, Ermal Meta, Elettra Lamborghini, Raf, and Malika Ayane, each night promises emotional depth, vocal mastery, and moments that could go viral. Whether you’re watching live on Rai 1, streaming on RaiPlay, or following the coverage internationally, Sanremo 2026 is more than a festival — it’s a celebration of Italian music, culture, and showmanship. Don’t miss the grand finale on February 28, when the winner is crowned and possibly earns the chance to represent Italy at Eurovision.

It’s five nights of music you won’t want to skip — Sanremo is back, and it’s bigger than ever.

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Italy’s most recent Eurovision Song Contest participation was at ESC 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, where the country was represented by singer‑songwriter Lucio Corsi with the song “Volevo essere un duro.” After finishing as runner‑up at Sanremo 2025 and taking the Eurovision spot when the original winner declined, Corsi delivered a memorable performance and finished in 5th place in the Grand Final with 256 points.

Stay tuned for more!