Perugia: jazz in July, chocolate in November 2026

Perugia's two big dates are Umbria Jazz, which returns from July 9 to 18, 2027, and Eurochocolate, which in 2026 moves from its usual October slot to November 13 to 22.

Umbria Jazz: July 9 to 18, 2027

The 54th Umbria Jazz is announced for July 9 to 18, 2027 in Perugia. The date comes from the festival's official site.

The 2026 edition, July 3 to 12, was the biggest yet: over 46,000¹ tickets sold, against 42,035¹ in 2024, more than €3 million in takings, and 500¹ musicians in 80 formations. The paid concerts were at the Arena Santa Giuliana, the Teatro Morlacchi and the Sala Podiani.

Most of it is free

About 160¹ events at the 2026 festival were free, and that changes how you plan. You can spend a July evening in Perugia inside the festival without holding a single ticket, and buy only for the concert you actually want.

The MiniMetro recorded 160,000¹ validations during the 2026 festival, which tells you how much of the crowd reached the old centre on the city's own transport rather than by car.

A festival since 1973

Umbria Jazz was born in 1973 on an idea of Carlo Pagnotta, with a first concert on August 23, 1973 at Villalago di Piediluco. It stopped between 1977 and 1981, and since 1982 the summer festival has had its permanent home in Perugia, in July.

A winter edition followed in 1993, and it is held in Orvieto, not here. If your trip falls at the turn of the year, the festival is at Orvieto.

Eurochocolate: November 13 to 22, 2026

Eurochocolate runs in Perugia from November 13 to 22, 2026, under the theme Fate Dolci. This edition moves the festival away from its traditional October dates to November.

Two things the official site doesn't say: the edition number, and whether entry to the festival area is free. Check both before you plan a day around it.

Planning around the two

Both run for ten days, Umbria Jazz in July and Eurochocolate in November, and they ask for different trips. In July you share the old centre with a jazz crowd and buy only the paid concerts you want, while in November the festival follows a theme, Fate Dolci this year, with details still to be published.

The festival's full page is at Umbria Jazz, the city at Perugia, and what lies under the city at Perugia buried a whole quarter.

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