From July 28 to Aug. 2, 2025, the Naples Lighthouse is transformed into a unique stage suspended over the sea to celebrate the city. A narrative marked by music, theater and poetry – through the stories of migration, departures and returns that have marked “our” history. Different tales, which we will sing, act and dance with original performances and duets, from an extraordinary and exclusive place on the sea. A week of sunset concerts (and also a sunrise) for a journey through time, between villanelle and legends, poems and moresche, catcalls and Mediterranean melodies with artists different in hue and expressive sensitivity, who will guide the audience between tradition and new languages.
“Al Faro – Festival” is an original project of Naples 2500 for the City of Naples, conceived and curated by artistic director Laura Valente and funded by the Metropolitan City of Naples, with the fundamental collaboration of the Port System Authority of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea, the Navy and Ellis Island.
The inauguration will include a connection with Ellis Island (on the 28th at 8:45 p.m.). It will be here that the Statue of Liberty will dialogue remotely with San Gennaro, who blesses the journey of so many of our compatriots who have made a fundamental contribution to the cultural development of the countries that welcomed them. Also scheduled is a connection with Little Italy (on the 30th at 9 p.m.), both coordinated live from New York by Germana Valentini.
The entire programming – five evenings at sunset and a concert at dawn – tells of the voices, sounds and physicality of Naples and its sea. Completing the itinerary is the debut of Raul Lo Russo’s exhibition “Radici migranti,” dedicated to the faces and gestures of emigration, at the premises of the Naples Naval League.
The project is also supported by the Institution of Sea and Migration Museums. The artwork is created by illustrator Stefano Marra.
All events will be held at the San Vincenzo Pier and will be free of charge while seats last. Reservations will be available on Eventbrite from July 23, 12 p.m. Access only via shuttles from Molosiglio Gardens, departing:
Eventi serali: 19:00–20:00
Evento all’alba: 04:00–05:00
Le dichiarazioni
“Opening a symbolic place like the St. Vincent Pier Lighthouse to the city means consolidating a deep connection… This is the meaning of the work we are doing: giving back to the city its best spaces.”
Gaetano Manfredi, sindaco di Napoli
“The one presented today is a cultural tourism project that looks far ahead — connected to memory, open to the world.”
Teresa Armato, assessora al Turismo
“The Naples lighthouse is a symbol. The best way to celebrate it is to dedicate a festival to it … A glimpse of light that is fundamental to so many sailors but also citizens.”
Angelo Patruno, Marina Militare
“We are giving back to the city … its 2 km of promenade, with events that are the result of synergy with the City Council and the Marina.”
Andrea Annunziata, Autorità Portuale
“At the Lighthouse Festival was born from a suggestion: the tale of the ball of yarn that unrolled from the ships… With them we will sing the departures, the crossings, the returns. Still alive today.”
Laura Valente, direttrice artistica
Programma
July 28, 9 p.m. – TANGHEDIA for NaplesWith Gloria Campaner, Alessandro Carbonare, Stefano Pietrodarchi and “I Tamburi del Faro” in a sonic fresco of tango, tammurriate and ritual visions.
July 29 at 9 p.m. – NAPOLI SERVA, NAPOLI PADRONAEugenio Bennato with Pietra Montecorvino, Mohamed El Alaoui, Tony Esposito. A musical journey between history and collaborations.
July 30, 9 p.m. – SINGS NAPLES, BY PASSIONEMaurizio de Giovanni tells the Neapolitan song with Marianita Carfora, Marco Zurzolo, Marco de Tilla and Carlo Fimiani.
July 31 at 9 p.m.- LU SOLE, LI TURCHI, LA LUNAPeppe Barra in a concert-theater with Flo, Enzo Gragnaniello, Lalla Esposito, Vinicio Capossela and Lina Sastri. Tribute to Roberto De Simone.
Aug. 1 9 p.m. – MURMURIAThree worlds intertwining: FicuFresche (ritual chants), La Niña (Targa Tenco 2025), Raül Refree (Catalan guitarist). Between electronics, poetry and rituals.
Aug. 2 at 06:00 a.m. – SOUNDING THE SEA (Sunrise Concert)With Mauro Squillante, the Naples Mandolin Orchestra and Lello Giulivo. Special guests: Dimitris Kotsiouros (Greece), Ashti Abdo (Turkey). Beginning on the notes of I’ te vurria vasà.
Mostra “Radici Migranti” – dal 28 luglio
At Lega Navale, curated by Raul Lo Russo.13 paintings that tell the story of an artist marked by migration, from Brazil to Ellis Island, with faces of fishermen, sailors, migrants.
The article St. Vincent Pier becomes the stage for the Mediterranean: six-day festival for Naples 2500 comes from TheNewyorker.
