August is the month this coast is built for: warm evenings, packed piazzas, and centuries-old feast days that still bring entire villages out into the streets.
Between concerts on the piazza, Ferragosto processions, a fireworks-lit finale and a full week of children's theatre, there's a lot happening even by this coast's busy summer standards. Here's our local selection, organised by area.
Our selection
In Levanto
Levanto Music Festival, Amfiteatrof
Running right through August, across Piazza del Popolo, the Auditorium Ospitalia del Mare and the Area ex Cava. Highlights include pianist Dimitry Yudin, winner of the Geza Anda Festival Cervo, on 5 August, and violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain with pianist Cormac McCarthy on 19 August.
La Loggia dei Bimbi
From 5 to 9 August, in Piazza della Loggia: a full week of theatre, magic, puppet shows and street artists for younger visitors, a good one to know about if you're travelling with children.
Levanto Incontra: Oscar Farinetti
On 1 August, on the steps of the Church of S. Andrea, Oscar Farinetti presents "La regola del silenzio". Part of the same open-air talks series we mentioned in July, worth building an evening around if you enjoy Italian non-fiction and journalism.
Festa di Nostra Signora della Guardia
From 28 to 30 August, Levanto's other big summer feast, with an organ recital, a solidarity market, live music and fireworks closing out the month on 29 August.
Sagre and evenings on the piazza
Levanto keeps its usual rhythm of food fairs and dancing evenings all month, including the Croce Rossa fair (11–13 August), the Croce Verde fair (21–22 August), and the Sagra Ceula (28 August).
Around the Cinque Terre villages
FIVE Festival Cinque Terre
A new live music series touring the villages through the summer. In August, catch the Sunrise Concert on the Fishermen's Pier in Monterosso at 6am on 9 August, or the concert with Judit Neddermann and Pau Figueres in Corniglia's Il Fosso area on 20 August, mixing Mediterranean songwriting with flamenco.
Ferragosto traditions
This is when the villages' religious calendar is at its fullest. Nostra Signora della Salute is celebrated at the Santuario di Volastra on 5 August, San Lorenzo is celebrated in Manarola with a procession on 10 August, and the Assumption on 15 August brings processions and fireworks to Fegina in Monterosso and a feast at the Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie in Corniglia.
2026 Cinque Terre Walking Park
The National Park's guided trekking and sunset tour programme continues through August, including a sunset walk in Monterosso on 28 August.
In Framura
Festa della Madonna del Mare
On 2 August, Framura's traditional feast, with fireworks over the small harbour.
Festa di San Lorenzo
From 10 to 12 August, in the hamlet of Castagnola, the village's traditional summer sagra.
Mangia Borghi
On 26 August, a moonlit gastronomic walk through Framura's hamlets, with nine stops of local dishes along the way, one of the more distinctive food events on this stretch of coast.
Nuove Terre Festival
Framura hosts an appointment of this touring contemporary theatre and performance festival on 29 August, part of a wider programme spread across several Levante towns through the summer.
In Bonassola
Bonassola keeps a full August calendar of markets, live music evenings and local sagre, though exact dates weren't confirmed at the time of writing. The tourist office and the Comune's noticeboards are the most reliable source once you arrive, or ask us at the front desk.
FAQ
What's the biggest event in Levanto in August 2026?
The Festa di Nostra Signora della Guardia, from 28 to 30 August, closing with fireworks on 29 August.
Are there events suitable for children in August?
Yes. La Loggia dei Bimbi, from 5 to 9 August in Piazza della Loggia, is a full week of theatre, magic and puppet shows for younger visitors.
What are the main traditional feast days in the Cinque Terre in August?
Nostra Signora della Salute in Volastra (5 August), San Lorenzo in Manarola (10 August), and the Assumption on 15 August, celebrated in both Monterosso and Corniglia.
Is there anything happening in Framura in August 2026?
Yes, several events: the Festa della Madonna del Mare (2 August), the Festa di San Lorenzo in Castagnola (10–12 August), the Mangia Borghi gastronomic walk (26 August), and a stop of the Nuove Terre theatre festival (29 August).
Do I need to book for these events?
Most concerts, processions, markets and sagre are free and open, but the FIVE Festival concerts and the National Park's guided tours may have limited capacity or require booking.
Further reading
- Cinque Terre Walking Park 2026: https://www.parconazionale5terre.it/man_dettaglio_man.php?id=3023
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FIVE Festival Cinque Terre, full programme: https://www.cinqueterre.it/en/2026/07/06/five-festival-cinque-terre/
