The heart of the festival remains Piazza Mazzini. The large, tree-lined square will host three main concerts and a night of pure entertainment.

The headline acts of Straborgo 2025 include Modena City Ramblers (May 30), Gaia (May 31), and I Patagarri (June 1). The spin-off evening on June 2 will feature Gabriele Puccetti.

In 2025, the Modena City Ramblers will embark on a special tour titled Appunti Resistenti, showcasing songs from their over 30-year career dedicated to the Resistance movement and anti-fascist values, along with four new tracks inspired by these themes—core to the band’s identity.

Following a remarkable 2024 that kicked off with the chart-topping single Tokyo, continued with hits Dea Saffica and Sesso e samba (a summer anthem certified 4× Platinum), Gaia returns to the 2025 Sanremo Festival with Chiamo io chiami tu. This marks her third participation after Cuore Amaro (2021) and a standout 2024 cover night performance alongside Big Mama, Sissi, and La Niña with Lady Marmalade.

I Patagarri, with their infectious gypsy jazz sound, evoke both the escapist joy of music and the struggle it can represent. Named after a classic sketch by Italian comedy legends Aldo, Giovanni e Giacomo, their song Caravan—featured on the XFactor Mixtape 2024—is a declaration of freedom and a call to live boldly, even on the margins.

The Risi’atori Cup 2025

On the afternoon of June 1, tradition and athletic prowess meet with the Coppa Risi’atori. As is now tradition, the public can follow the prestigious 10-oar “gozzi” race live via aerial drone footage shown on a giant screen in Piazza Mazzini. The race will also be broadcast live on Granducato TV and streamed online via Visit Livorno, Gare Remiere Livorno, and Granducato TV channels.

This year brings two new features: onboard cameras inside the boats for immersive spectator perspectives—including audio from the coxswain—and an increased number of drones for full race coverage. To cap off the Coppa Risi’atori 2025, a dinner for all rowing crews will be held in Piazza Mazzini on Monday, June 2, during which awards will be presented.

On the evening of June 2, Gabriele Puccetti takes the stage with Tutta colpa di mamma, a musical comedy show featuring humorous song parodies, sketches, impressions, and more—a one-man show embracing Livorno’s spirit and beyond.

More Straborgo 2025 Highlights

As always, STRABORGO 2025 offers a wide range of activities throughout the streets, squares, and open-air spaces of the neighborhood.

Now in its fifth edition, Stefano Pilato’s street exhibition Bar Orione Borgo dei Cappuccini: la gente di un rione returns, with three new sites at 45, 55, and 176 Borgo dei Cappuccini featuring 26 new photos. Altogether, the show will include around 226 images across 32 locations in the Borgo and nearby streets, with captions in Italian and English. The portraits feature residents and well-known local figures from various decades, particularly the 20th century.

The outdoor cinema for kids returns to F.lli Gragnani Park, city center, in collaboration with Federico Quercioli’s kiosk. Access is via the Odeon Parking or Via San Carlo. No chairs will be provided—visitors are welcome to bring their own or sit on the grass. Screenings include IF: Imaginary Friends (May 30), Mary and the Midnight Spirit (May 31), Rango (June 1), and Flushed Away (June 2). The children’s film series will continue every Thursday through the end of August.

Also returning in 2025 is Strabrocantage, an extended version of the monthly vintage market, organized by Associazione Etruria. The market will fill Via De Angelis and much of Porta a Mare and Piazza Luigi Orlando, running from 9:00 AM to midnight—doubling the usual market area.

At Porta a Mare, a DJ set will take place daily from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on the Darsena side throughout the four-day festival.

To further energize the evenings, four different street bands will bring music to Borgo dei Cappuccini and surrounding streets from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM: Sciacchetrà Street Band (May 30), Moruga Drum (May 31), La Sganghenga (June 1), and Ciacciabanda StreetBand (June 2).

Titled Io tu noi tutti, a special exhibition will showcase works created by Livorno students as part of this year’s PEZ (Educational Pathways for the Zone) in collaboration with the BrikkeBrakke Social Cooperative. The opening is set for Friday, May 30 at 6:00 PM at the cooperative’s headquarters (Via Verdi, 136). Workshops will remain open during Straborgo 2025 evenings, alongside a display of the cooperative’s handmade goods.

For the second year, Openwall returns to Alphonse Club (Via Malenchini 35), offering a platform for artistic expression. From May 23 to June 1, the club transforms into a gallery space for 15 artists showcasing drawings, photographs, paintings, murals, and more.