Classical music, rock, instruments, legends of the Italian and international scene, in October for a festival full of experiences
Cremona, June 30th 2026 Cremona is preparing to reaffirm its position as the world capital of music with the new edition of Cremona Musica Expo & Festival 2026, the leading global event dedicated to music, musical instruments, education, and production. From October 2 to 4, 2026, the pavilions of CremonaFiere and the most evocative locations in the city and surrounding area will welcome an international community of musicians, enthusiasts, producers, and professionals, offering a program that combines great tradition and technological innovation.
“Cremona Musica is an international platform for relationships, knowledge, and opportunities that connects artisans, companies, musicians, institutions, and professionals from around the world,” explains CremonaFiere President Roberto Biloni. “Cremona Musica also engages the local community with numerous activities, including the Fuori Salone, which spans from Cremona to Crema. This is a way to enhance the trade fair experience and further differentiate ourselves. The innovations introduced for the 2026 edition demonstrate our commitment to investing in training, talent, and innovation, without ever losing our connection to our roots. It is this ability to unite history and future that makes this event unique in the international music scene.”
The focus on new generations and ensemble music is cemented by the debut of the Cremona Musica Young Band Contest. Coordinated by artistic directors Luca Nobis and Stefano Prinzivalli, the competition is open to ensembles of musicians under 25 and aims to highlight the deep bond between artist and instrument maker as the cornerstone of the creative process.
The event maintains its strong international appeal through its historic thematic areas, which cover the entire spectrum of instrumental production. The Mondomusica fair remains the premier meeting place for high-quality violin making, attracting master craftsmen from every continent. The Acoustic Guitar Village will offer a prestigious, dynamic format featuring guitar displays, masterclasses, and historical exhibitions, while the Wind Festival will devote ample space to the Cremona Band Festival, the now traditional event dedicated to musical bands, featuring over 400 wind instrument musicians. Rounding out the established sections are the Accordion Show, a showcase for the accordion, and a space focusing on the historic organ-making art of Crema.
The 2026 edition introduces significant evolutions and new content, starting with Piano Experience. This year, the dedicated area for pianos and keyboards is joined by the first edition of the Cremona Musica Piano Contest, the new national piano competition, born from the synergy with Yamaha Music Europe, and open to students of the undergraduate and graduate programs at Italian conservatories and AFAM institutions. The competition, aimed at promoting excellence and connecting higher education with the professional sector, includes an online preliminary selection and a live public final, scheduled for Sunday, October 4th in the Sala Stradivari at CremonaFiere.
There’s also big news for the Electric Sound Village, now in its third year, expanding the space dedicated to electric guitar making, amplification, and rock history. Among those already confirmed are artists such as Stef Burns, Franco Mussida, Giuseppe Scarpato, Filippo Graziani, Osvaldo Loiacono, Mattia Tedesco, and Simone Galassi.
Starting this year, the event has entered into a prestigious partnership with Soundmit, opening its doors to synthesizers, new audio technologies, and research in electronic music. Visitors will be able to discover highly crafted custom instruments and vintage pieces, testing them in special soundproof booths. The exhibition will be enriched with cultural exhibits focusing on the history of drums and the sound of Jimi Hendrix.
As per tradition, the festival experience will extend beyond the fairgrounds to embrace the entire region. The evenings will be enlivened by the Fuori Salone program, with concerts by Cremona Musica Downtown bringing live music to the squares, theaters, and courtyards of the historic center. There will also be the prestigious Cremona Musica Awards, presented to prominent figures on the international cultural scene.
