Contemporary music takes shape in Venice this October with a programme that blends concerts, installations and laboratory projects. The 70th International Festival, titled A Child of Sound and directed by Caterina Barbieri, runs from 10 to 24 October 2026 and features daily performances by international soloists and ensembles.
Dates, artistic direction and venues for Biennale Musica 2026
The festival runs over two weeks from 10 to 24 October. Caterina Barbieri leads the artistic direction. Events are scheduled across Biennale venues including the Arsenale di Venezia and ORIGINE, a new space designed for deep listening and encounter.
Programme highlights and awards
The programme includes concerts, sound installations and works from Biennale College Musica. The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement is awarded to Keiji Haino while the Silver Lion goes to Sarah Davachi. Installations and video works form an integrated strand alongside live performances.
Biennale College Musica and project development
Biennale College Musica selects up to five proposals from composers, sound artists and performers to enter the festival programme. The College functions as a workshop and development pathway for new projects to reach the festival’s stages and listening spaces.
B2B outreach and practical tactics for professionals
Approach the festival with precise goals. Map the programme to spot ensembles, venues and projects aligned with your proposals and prepare a concise presentation with streaming links. Book time to experience ORIGINE and site-specific installations where longer conversations about collaboration are possible. Use the festival’s contact channels to request meetings and bring short, ready-to-play material that allows quick artistic evaluation.
Tickets and how to access the programme
Tickets and subscriptions for the 10 to 24 October period are sold online through La Biennale di Venezia’s official channels. The offer mixes concerts, installations and College projects, with formats ranging from intimate listening sessions to larger ensemble performances.
Biennale Musica 2026 highlights the intersections between composition, performance and expanded sound practices. For the full programme and ticketing visit the festival website at http://www.labiennale.org/en/music and plan your schedule according to the venues and formats that best fit your project or professional objectives.
