Verona’s summer promises to be extraordinary. From 12 June to 12 September 2026, the Arena di Verona turns the spotlight on the 103rd Arena Opera Festival, presenting a rich programme of 52 evenings of opera, immersive concerts and dance. Over fifty performances celebrating live music in the world’s most iconic Roman amphitheatre, an edition that promises to be one of the most spectacular ever.

To fully enjoy the Arena Opera Festival, choosing the right accommodation makes all the difference. Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel des Arts is located along Corso Porta Nuova, the boulevard leading directly to the Arena and Piazza Bra. Just a few minutes’ walk from the amphitheatre, the hotel allows you to reach every performance with ease, free from concerns about parking or transport, while enjoying the unique charm of a stroll through Verona’s historic centre.

We also suggest our future guests to have a look at the special Arena Opera Festival Package.

Campioni del Mondo – Italia Loves UNESCO

Verona’s great summer season kicks off even before the official opening of the festival. On 5 June 2026, the Arena hosts the extraordinary gala Campioni del Mondo – Italia Loves UNESCO, broadcast worldwide on Rai 1. The stage will feature legendary names such as Plácido Domingo, Vittorio Grigolo, and Patti Smith, alongside more than 500 stars of opera, music, and dance.

The event celebrates Italy’s intangible cultural heritage recognised by UNESCO, starting with Italian operatic singing, and including the launch of the candidacy of classical Neapolitan song for UNESCO World Heritage status. At the same time, Piazza Bra will be transformed into a vast open-air gastronomic stage, with the live preparation of a popular dinner “under the stars” for one thousand people and the presence of 100 UNESCO delegates from around the world.

A Dream Opening: La Traviata at the Moulin Rouge

The 2026 edition opens with an unprecedented coup de théâtre: on 12 and 13 June, a brand-new production of La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi makes its debut, directed by Scottish stage director Paul Curran, a former collaborator of Baz Luhrmann on the film Moulin Rouge!. For the first time in history, the iconic Moulin Rouge in Paris embraces lyric‑symphonic music, bringing the magic of early-20th-century Montmartre to the Arena.

The audience will be transported to the bohemian Paris of that era through set designs by Juan Guillermo Nova, costumes by Stefano Ciammitti, and the sensual atmosphere of French cabaret that frames the immortal story of Violetta Valéry. La Traviata will be performed throughout the festival, right up to the closing night on 12 September.

The Return of Zorba the Greek

One of the most eagerly awaited highlights of the programme is the return of Zorba the Greek, the iconic ballet set to the music of Mikis Theodorakis, with choreography by Lorca Massine. Following the sold-out success of 2023 and the acclaim of the following editions, this masterpiece returns for two unmissable evenings on 25 and 26 August 2026, at the Roman Theatre, another enchanting setting of the Veronese summer. A hymn to vitality, freedom and the joy of living, Zorba the Greek continues to captivate audiences of all ages, year after year.

Paganini Paradise: A World Premiere

On 18 August 2026, the Arena di Verona will host a truly one-of-a-kind event: the world premiere of Paganini Paradise – Superlive Immersive Concert, a production by Balich Wonder Studio. The show weaves together the compositions of violin genius Niccolò Paganini with pieces inspired by the theme of Paradise, transforming the amphitheatre into a realm of sensory wonder through music, light and three-dimensional projections. An immersive experience set to be remembered as one of the most innovative productions ever staged at the Arena.

The Full Programme

Alongside these headline titles, the festival offers a wide-ranging programme: Nabucco and Aida (both in the historic Zeffirelli production and Stefano Poda’s bold “crystal” staging), La Bohème, Turandot, Carmina Burana, and the return of Viva Vivaldi – The Four Seasons with its spectacular immersive projections. On 21 July, the spotlight turns to the world of dance with the Roberto Bolle and Friends gala.

You can find the full programme on this page.