Sanremo Festival 2025
The Sanremo Festival 2025 will be held from 11 to 15 February 2025. History, myth, and the story of an international legend.
The 75th edition of the Sanremo Festival will take place from 11 to 15 February 2025: for one week, the town of smiles, flowers, and songs will be the centre of attention. Everyone will be talking about it, and all of Italy will be captivated by this grand musical event. You can follow it on TV and social media, but the best idea is to come directly to Sanremo and experience it in person. If you want to know everything, absolutely everything, we’re here to help! The 75th edition of the Sanremo Italian Song Festival will be broadcast live on Rai 1 at 8:30 PM from 11 to 15 February 2025, and the singing competition will follow the Sanremo 2025 Festival Regulations published on the RAI website. What’s still a mystery is who will take part: for sure, the city will be full of guests, VIPs, singers, performers, artists, and actors. You’ll almost certainly run into them just by walking through the city centre.
The festival around the city
During the Sanremo Festival, which will once again take place on the stage of the Teatro Ariston, the entire city will come alive with a multitude of side events. Alternative stages are often set up in *Piazza Colombo*, in the heart of the City of Flowers, while various festival villages will be installed in spots like Villa Nobel and the park at Villa Ormond. One not-to-be-missed highlight is the parade along Corso Matteotti: every day, artists will walk down the flower-covered green carpet, greeting the public. It’s always a spectacle worth seeing!
The history of Sanremo Festival
If you want to know everything about the Festival, start by reading up on its history. Founded in 1951, the Sanremo Festival has closely followed Italian history, from the post-war period to the present day, and has often reflected the changes in our society.
The places to spot VIPs
Singers, actors, musicians, comedians, models: some people would do anything for an autograph, a handshake, or even better, a selfie with one of their idols. But where do the VIPs hide in Sanremo? Where can you spot them? Here are the Sanremo hotspots for the ultimate VIP hunt!
- Corso Matteotti: This main street is a prime location for spotting celebrities, especially during the daily parade where artists walk the green flower-lined carpet.
- Teatro Ariston: The heart of the Festival, where all the performances take place.
- Piazza Sardi: Located right behind the Ariston, this little square by the sea is home to numerous restaurants. After a night of singing or rehearsing for a show, it’s not uncommon for our favourite stars to get hungry. A hunger that often leads to sky-high bills with gourmet dishes, washed down with excellent wines and champagne. That’s where *Piazza Sardi*, conveniently nearby, comes in handy. If a VIP is spotted dining in the window of a restaurant in Piazza Sardi, word quickly spreads, and soon enough, a crowd of fans and the flashes of paparazzi will be waiting outside to catch a glimpse.
- Piazza Bresca: The restaurants are renowned for their excellent local cuisine. Frequented by locals, tourists, and VIPs from the Italian Song Festival, these establishments become a central point during the events that take place throughout the year in Sanremo. Whether it’s during the Festival or at other times, these dining spots serve as key meeting places for everyone, from ordinary visitors to celebrities.
- Hotel des Etrangeres: It might seem like just a simple hotel in the city centre, but it’s actually an elegant residence, and that’s precisely why it’s chosen by many celebrities who come to Sanremo for the festival. This spot has been the stage for some of the most sensational gossip and stories in Festival history, like the famous romance between Fiorello and Anna Falchi in 1995.
- Corso Imperatrice: More recently, during the festival, the proximity of the Hotel de Paris and the Royal has attracted singers like Gianni Morandi and comedians such as Luca and Paolo. Some time ago, Eva Robin’s used to speed along this route on roller skates…
What to eat during the festival?
If you’re in Sanremo during the Festival, don’t miss out on a slice of Sardenaira, the typical “focaccia” of Sanremo and the Ligurian hinterland. This dish is made with just a few ingredients and is a true and unparalleled celebration of flavour. In addition to being an ancient food and a tradition of the western Liguria, it’s perfect for festival street food, enjoyed between concerts, celebrity spotting, and parades.
