Entitled “Summer Vibes - The summer that makes you feel good,” the extensive calendar of events that will enliven Loano's summer 2024 was presented this morning at Palazzo Doria by Mayor Luca Lettieri and deputy mayor in charge of tourism, culture and sports Gianluigi Bocchio together with representatives of the city's associations. Concerts, book presentations, cabaret evenings, food and wine festivals and events, sporting events, film screenings and much more will characterize Loano's upcoming summer season.
“Once again for this 2025,” explain Mayor Luca Lettieri and Vice Mayor in charge of tourism, culture and sports Gianluigi Bocchio, "the summer of Loano will treat guests and residents to a very long series of events and happenings for all tastes. In preparing our calendar, we have taken into account the indications contained in the Tourism Development Plan, updated in light of the feedback we have received in recent years, both in the summer season and in other segments of the year. Over the past two years, we have been working on the creation of a destination network capable of meeting the needs of very specific groups of guests. In the coming months, in addition to continuing this work, we will take action on the positioning of the new Loano brand. The goal is to make our city increasingly attractive and a tourist destination capable of enhancing all its resources and attractions. In this sense, proposing a rich and structured calendar of events is one of the trump cards to achieve this goal. We want to thank the offices, local associations and the many people who, as always, have worked on the preparation of this calendar of events.".
From June 13 to 15, Loano will celebrate “The return of the Dorias” and the proclamation of the free county of Loano that occurred in 1575 during the rule of Counts Zenobia Del Carretto and Gianandrea Doria. The event is organized by the Old Loano Association and sponsored by the City of Loano with the advice of Le Gratie d'Amore group and the collaboration of Mway Communication & Events agency. In addition to being a historical re-enactment that aims to reconstruct coherently and on the basis of original documents what happened on July 2, 1575, the date of the settlement of the Doria princes and the oath of the Loano community, the event will be an opportunity to enliven the historic center and the waterfront with historically themed performances. Tourists and residents alike will be involved in an authentic journey through the centuries, with a grand spectacle in late Renaissance style that will encompass the entire town center. Entertainment will include fire shows, performances of medieval and Renaissance folk music, juggling and jousting, magic and fakirism, as well as games and creative workshops for children.
On Saturday, June 21, the “White Night”, the long marathon of entertainment promoted by the City of Loano in collaboration with Fipe-Confcommercio and Centro Culturale Polivalente. As always, the centerpiece of the event will be the businesses and venues, which will remain open until late in the evening and from 5 p.m. will offer original tasting stations. Also starting at 5 p.m. on the promenade will be the stands of artisans and artists, who will display the fruits of their skills until the evening. Great protagonist will be music, with about many concerts and performances in different parts of the city starting at 9 p.m. At 10 p.m. the big free concert (organized in cooperation Eccoci Eventi Agency) will kick off, which is the highlight of the “White Night.” Performing this year on the stage set up in Piazza Italia will be a great interpreter of Italian music: Irene Grandi. Also this year the festival will also find space in the area of Via dei Gazzi, Via Dante, Via Pirandello and Viale Enrico Toti with “Waiting for the White Night.” Starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 20, venues will offer street food with live music and “magical” entertainment for children.
On July 2, the traditional procession of the Our Lady of the Visitation, patroness of Loano fishermen and sailors. The celebrations will see the participation of confraternities from all over Liguria. The celebration will be preceded by several “approach” events. On June 17 at 9 p.m. in the Oratory of the Cappe Turchine concert by the San Francesco Chorale of Alassio conducted by maestro Giorgio Piovano; on June 23 at 9:45 p.m. in Piazza Italia concert by the Banda Santa Maria Immacolata (on the occasion of the patronal feast of St. John the Baptist); on June 25 at 9:45 p.m. in Piazza Italia concert by the Fanfare of the Alpini “Monte Beigua” of Savona; and on June 27 at 9:45 p.m. in the Oratory of the Cappe Turchine musical concert with maestro Riccardo Pampararo. Loano's summer is always marked by the celebration of local traditions and cults. Such as the Corpus Christi procession on June 22, the patronal feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary by the White Disciplinants on Sept. 12, and the feast of Santa Libera in Verzi on Sept. 8.
From July 1 to 5 at Loano will stage “CUBE LIVE - places, ideas, voices, events”, the traveling festival of free concerts promoted by CUBO, Unipol Group's business museum. For the fifth year in a row, “CUBO LIVE” accompanies the summer of Italians, mostly those who stay in town, with a sought-after schedule of concerts that alternates established artists with young talents in a lively mix of jazz, pop and classical music, with the aim of offering a cross-section of audiences the opportunity to approach the best Italian and international music. In keeping with the museum's mission to “share culture,” CUBO's summer program is designed to welcome, entertain and, above all, spread culture through the engaging and universal language of music, going beyond the perimeter of its two venues in Bologna and Milan to become a widespread and participatory venue in outdoor spaces, theaters and squares. On July 1 at 9:30 p.m. in Loano Marina Stefano Di Battista will bring “Morricone Stories” to the stage in an authentic tribute to the film music of Ennio Morricone. Di Battista plays with the Maestro's themes as if they were magical matter, the substance of that special and mysterious area of music that almost inexplicably fills our souls. The choice in some cases falls on marginal themes or, better, less famous or forgotten films. On stage Stefano Di Battista (sax), André Ceccarelli (drums), Frédéric Nardin (piano) and Daniele Sorrentino (bass). Free admission with reservations required at cubounipol.it. On July 2 at 9:30 p.m. Emma Nolde will star in the “New Space Time Tour,” a show that is a true collective ritual, where the audience is completely immersed in the experience. A full event that alternates between intimate, light-hearted moments and genuine r'n'r. Free admission with reservations required at cubounipol.it. On July 4 at 5:15 again at Loano Marina, dawn concert with Trio Mantici (composed of Antonello Salis on accordion, Daniele Di Bonaventura on bandoneon and Alessandro D'Alessandro on accordion) who will bring “The Vital Breath of Mantici” to the stage. In an exceptional setting, between music and sea breeze, for the first time in the history of Italian jazz accordion, bandoneon and accordion meet and merge in a unique and unmissable concert, through the encounter of three of the most original and internationally recognized bellows instrumentalists for their personal styles. Free admission with reservations required at cubounipol.it. Grand finale on July 5 at 9:30 p.m. in Piazza Italia with Eugenio Finardi and the Loano leg of his “Tutto ’75-’25” tour. To celebrate 50 years since his first album, he returns with a new tour and a new record entitled “Tutto.” Finardi presents a show in which he offers the most significant songs from his vast repertoire, tracing half a century of his career. Alongside the big hits, there will be no shortage of songs from his new album. A work that amazes with innovative sounds and the inexhaustible creativity of an artist capable of telling the present with lucidity. On stage with him, three talented musicians with whom he creates engaging atmospheres. On stage Eugenio Finardi (vocals), Giuvazza Maggiore (guitars and loops), Maximilian Agostini (keyboards and bass), Claudio Arfinengo (drums, bass and percussion). Free admission.
Also in the Navy of Loano returns the “Golden Summer”, the long summer of events that, until September, will enliven the Loano marina. Music will take center stage with concerts by Blue Penguin (an a cappella vocal group from Bologna) on Sept. 6 and AbbaDream on Sept. 12. Also this year the pier of the Yacht Club Marina of Loano will be transformed into a real cinema hall where one can watch screenings of the most interesting films of the latest period (and not only). But there will also be room for laughter and entertainment: on July 9 comic-musical show with Gene Gnocchi; on July 17 there will be the presentation of Chiara Francini's book; on July 20 Roberta Recchia's book will be presented; on July 24 evening with Emilio Marrese; on August 17 talk-show with cabaret by Paola Minaccioni.
In the calendar of events for summer 2025 the City of Loano National Award for Italian Traditional Music comes with many new features that herald a significant metamorphosis of the festival. “RiGenerazioni festival” is the new container that welcomes the musical events of the Loano Prize and finds its new temporal location in September, adding three new locations in the first hinterland to Loano, the festival's traditional venue. The festival, which will take place Sept. 5-7 at Loano and Sept. 12-14 in the first hinterland, will welcome artists who best represent the languages of tradition declined in the contemporary with innovative approaches. The winners of the Loano Award (Best Album Award 2024 and Young People's Award 2024), the most important award in Italy for contemporary production of traditional music with Italian roots, will be honored again this year in the city of Doria. It is necessary to wait a little longer to find out the detailed program of ’RiGenerazioni festival“ organized by the Compagnia dei Curiosi Association, in collaboration with the Tourism and Culture Department of the City of Loano and with the contribution of Fondazione A. De Mari.
On July 26, the “Carnevalöa Summer Edition”. Starting at 9 p.m. on Corso Roma, floats made by volunteers from Old Loano and others will return to parade. The parade will be accompanied by music, dancing, confetti and masked groups. And it is always Vecchia Loano that will organize the “Basüe Festival”. On Aug. 12 and 13, hundreds of figures will revive the era of witch hunts that raged in Europe for several centuries, with the persecution of women suspected of performing acts of magic such as spells, curses, enchantments and ligatures. The downtown parade on Aug. 13 will be followed by the traditional fireworks display.
After the success of recent years, the cinema on the beach in cooperation with the Objective Beaches Consortium: for six evenings in July and August, the best children's and family films will be screened at Bagni Lampara. Free admission while seats last.
Once again this year Italy Square will be the real “spectacular heart” of Loano. On July 7, Italy Square will host “Suddenly you...”, a dance, singing and acting performance by Asd Modern Jazz Dance. On July 10, also in Piazza Italia, the “Dance Gala” of the Attimo Danza Civic School will be held. On July 12 will be held the “Live Grand Gala” of the Loano International Live Festival. with the performance of the finalists and the awarding of the winners. During the evening, young talents in dance and singing will compete for the final victory, giving the audience a show full of wonderful lights and exciting images. On August 21, “Loano and the voice of the sea”, which is part of the project “Youth in the Library-Retake the Future,” funded by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and aimed at promoting reading among young people. The project is inspired by the idea of a library that is a gathering space and incubator of multidisciplinary activities, capable of attracting young people of different ages and with different interests.
In late July and early August, “Universe in Pink”, the event dedicated to the world of women and in support of Loano's “Artemisia Gentileschi” listening desk against violence against women. The event will be preceded by a series of side events. On July 27 in Marina by Loano total body workout session with “Waiting for Universe in Pink with “Pilates in Marina.” In the evening bike ride around the old walls of Loano with “Strong Together” promoted by Fiab Albenga. On July 29 and 31 new appointment with “Pilates in Marina and a session of “Face Yoga” and pilates mat work. On July 30 outdoor walk with a tour among farmsteads and shelters at the foot of Mount Carmo with Flaviano Carpenè followed by an aperitif at the Pian delle Bosse refuge in collaboration with Cai Loano. On August 1 at Bagni Lampara biodance with Valeria Occelli. Aug. 2 at dawn classical music concert at Kursaal Pier, then “Yoga in Pink” session at the palm grove with “Pilates in Marina.” At Bar Rino “Life and Health” pink prevention breakfast in collaboration with Fidapa. At 9:30 p.m. in Piazza Italia final show with Max Fly and Elena Ferretti. Throughout the day information gazebos and demonstrations. On Aug. 3 pilates workout in the Marina, then solidarity fitness walking by Asd Palestra il Corpo. Finally, in Dante Street street food to music with “Greeting Universe in Pink.”.
In the summer of Loano there will be no shortage of literary events. From June 27-29 on the Loano waterfront, the third edition of the Book Fair promoted by Pro Loco Loano. In addition, as every summer, “LOA Reads in Every Corner Summer”, the initiative dedicated to reading organized by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the City of Loano with funding from the “Center for Books and Reading” and in collaboration with Aps #cosavuoichetilegga, the Mondadori Bookstore of Loano and the Libreria del Conte of Loano. Also returning will be the “Literary Garden” meetings (literary, musical and for children) promoted by the Centofiori Eventi Association in collaboration with the Count's Bookstore and the “Culture Tuesdays” organized in collaboration with the Mondadori Bookstore. Among others, the following will present their books at Loano: Mario Giordano, Fabio Genovesi, Antonella Forte, Francesco Battistini, Orso Tosco, Marcello Simoni, Raffaella Verga, Paolo Secondo, Laura Pigozzi, and Davide Longo. On June 28, the last event of the third edition of the Book Club: participants will present a text they particularly liked, illustrating it and commenting on it with those present.
On July 4, Pro Loco Loano is organizing at Josemaria Escrivà Gardens the “Blank Dinner - Unconventional Dinner”, a “blank” and shared dinner format that requires no introduction. On July 6 in Corso Roma and on the seaside promenade stops the 42nd International Meeting of Historic Fiat 500s: In conjunction with the rally, a concert by “La Paranza del Geco” will be held in Maccagli Garden. Cars will be back in the spotlight on Sept. 8 with the annual gathering of the AbarthClub of Valbormida and Savona. On July 12 in Loano Marina returns “Floating and Bubbling”, the initiative aimed at children with disabilities from the Savona-based Asl2 social-health district. On July 25 in Piazza Italia cabaret evening with the Summer Tour. On August 16 in Piazza Italia is the “Big Bubble Show” with entertainment for young and old. Cabaret returns Aug. 18-20 with the Cabaret Show in Italy Square. On August 19 in Orto Maccagli we go on a discovery of “The ancient crafts of the sea” with the Marinara Lodanum Cultural Association. On August 22, an appointment in Piazza Italia with the charity event “We help those who help” and a concert by Buio Pesto. The evening of solidarity also returns on August 23, again in the town hall square, along with the regional final of “A Girl for Cinema”. On August 28 on the occasion of the “Day of the Dog” Pro Loco Loano organizes a “Six-legged walk”. On Sept. 4 at the library, the Association of Ties Arts presents “The works and eventful life of Michelangelo Merisi known as Caravaggio” illustrated by Vanna Carpegna, architect and art history lecturer.
Every second Sunday of the month (and exceptionally Saturday, August 16) under the arcades of Corso Europa and in the nearby “Bestoso” gardens will return the Antiques and Collectibles Market organized by E20 Free. Dozens of exhibitors will present a selected collection of furniture, silverware, paintings, carpets and objects with an antique flavor and full of charm. Every Tuesday and Friday in June, July, August and September, from 6 p.m. to midnight in Rocca Square and Massena Square, respectively, will be the stalls of “Crafts in the square”, the artisans' and artists' market organized by the association Artigianalmente. Professional craftsmen and skilled artists will display the fruits of their ingenuity and skill. Special appointments Saturday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Massena Square. The traditional September Fair returns on September 21.
For lovers of the outdoors, July and September will also see the continuation of the “Loano not only sea”, the program curated by the Loano section of the CAI. The hikes are free and practicable by those with a fair amount of training in mountain hiking. The aim is to promote hiking as an opportunity for socialization, personal well-being, and knowledge and appreciation of the area. Also for hiking enthusiasts, on Sunday, July 13, there will be a hike in San Damiano organized by Pro Loco Loano as part of the “National Day of Pro Loco”. On September 28 at the hut on Mount Carmo is the second edition of the “High Way Festival” by the Friends of the Carmo. On Saturday, June 28 in the water mirror of Marina di Loano will be held “Freedom to Swim”, an event that promotes inclusion and freedom through sport, offering people with reduced or no visual impairment the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience of swimming in the sea, in total safety. On July 20 in Orto Maccagli “Kung fu under the stars”, an evening of martial arts and oriental dances organized by the Asd Martial Arts Center. On Aug. 16, the 2025 edition of the running race “Marina Classic” promoted by Asd RunRivieraRun. On Aug. 21, the 2025 edition of Run San Pio will be held. From Sept. 1 to Sept. 7, the 11th edition of “Loano in Dance Summer Edition”, the Asd Promozione Danza Liguria event that was created to offer participating interns and students in the area the opportunity to pursue dance studies with teachers with proven curricula. On Sept. 28, the 14th “Tour of the Walls of Loano” by Runners Loano. On Oct. 26 at PalaGarassini is held the “Day in Pink - 13th Birthday of the Piglet” by Asd Basketball Loano. Also on Oct. 26, the “RunRivieraRun Half Marathon”. Finally, on July 10 and 17 and August 7 and 21, Loano's Ctg offers free guided tours of the historic center, churches, Palazzo Doria and the port-a good opportunity for tourists and residents who want to learn more about the city of the Dorias.
There will be no shortage of appointments specially designed for music lovers. On June 20 the last appointment with the “Listening Guides” of the Loanese Music Association. This summer will return, as always, the “Prince's Concerts” and other events promoted by the Saint Mary Immaculate Music Association and also concerts by the music group “U Gunbu de Loa-Verzi” in Maccagli Garden (June 30, July 14, Aug. 11 and 30 and Sept. 8) or the City of Loano Polyphonic Choir (July 11 and 30, Aug. 11 and 29). On July 19 evening with DJ and entertainment with Supersonica. On July 20 at the library ’Eppi Classic Sammer”, an evening dedicated to classical music by the Ambrosian Academy. On July 24 and 28 and August 25 and 29 in Piazza Italia evening of ballroom dancing. August 1 in Italy Square 70s, 80s and 90s music concert by Pro Loco Loano and on August 6 another evening dedicated to the music of the 80s. August 8 in Maccagli Garden. Evening of dance and music by Asd Studium III. August 9 in Italy Square dj-show with Walter Pizzulli. On August 14 in Italy Square there are the Discomania. On August 28 in Italy Square evening tribute to Max Pezzali and Cesare Cremonini. September 13 in the library lecture/concert by Andrea Orsi, a conservatory teacher and internationally renowned concert pianist, who will take participants on a virtual journey through the main composers for classical guitar and especially the production of Bario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Meeting organized by the Association of the Arts “Ties.” The same association proposes, for Sept. 14, the’meeting with Katia Del Monte, author of the novel “Naima” (Giraldi) which tells the story of the famous jazz musician John Coltrane and Naima Juanita Grubbs, his first wife. Also this year in the Oratory of Our Lady of the Rosary the concerts of the “September Music of the Turks” organized by the confraternity of the Cappe Turchine: the program includes on Sept. 6 an organ concert with the artists of Rapallo Musica (the event is part of the 27th International Organ Festival “Armonie sacre percorrendo le terre di Liguria”); on Sept. 13 a concert with Paola Arecco (piano), Arianna Marella (flute) and Gianni Gollo (flute); on Sept. 20 a concert by maestro Giorgio Piovano, organist of the Capuchin church in Alassio; and on Sept. 27 a concert by the Valleggia Polyphonic Choir directed by maestro Maurizio Fiaschi.
For those with a sweet tooth, there will be no shortage of food and wine appointments. June 28 and 29 will see the 2025 edition of “Flavors of Liguria,” a food and wine festival organized by the Vecchia Loano association. A selection of Ligurian delicacies such as olive oil, olives, cheeses, cured meats, tomatoes, vegetables, herbs, basil, honey, garlic, products in oil, Ligurian focaccia, wine and typical desserts will be available on the Loano waterfront. The stands will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Great space will be given to festivals, such as the “Solidarity Festival” from July 9 to 11, the ’Summer Muscolata“ on July 18 and 19, the ”Crostolo Festival“ on July 25 and 26, the ”Fugassin Festival“ on August 2, and the ”Trenetta Festival“ from August 6 to 8. Also among the traditional events are the ”Sagra di San Pio X’ and related running race, the “Quellu cu passa u cunventu” festival from Aug. 28 to 30, the “Sagra dell'Otto” from Sept. 6 to 8, and the “Sagra di Santa Libera” from Sept. 13 to 15 in Verzi.
