Rome's 1 May Concertone: The Big Free Concert at St John Lateran

Updated on October 8, 2026

Every 1 May, Labour Day, Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano hosts the "Concertone", one of Italy's biggest free concerts. Organised by the CGIL, CISL and UIL trade unions, it has been held on this square since 1990: hours of music, dozens of Italian artists and a very large crowd. It is broadcast live on television. Entry is free until the square is full. The information below is from the 2026 edition; the next one is planned for Saturday 1 May 2027.

Highlights

The square in front of the basilica

The concert takes place on Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, dominated by the façade of the Basilica of St John Lateran. In 2026 the festival began at 1:30 pm and the live broadcast, from 3:00 pm on Rai 3, covered more than ten hours of music.

The line-up

Each edition brings together well-known Italian singers and emerging artists, from rap to singer-songwriters and rock. In 2026 the bill included Geolier, Emma, Ermal Meta, Litfiba, Niccolò Fabi, Levante and Riccardo Cocciante, among others. The programme is announced in spring: check it on the official site, primomaggio.net.

The cloister and the basilica, before or after

The cloister of St John Lateran is a haven of calm to visit in the morning, before the crowd fills the square, or on the following days. See also the Scala Santa, next to the basilica.

Following the concert without going

The concert is broadcast live on television on Rai 3, streamed on RaiPlay and on the radio on Rai Radio 2. If the crowd puts you off, this is a good option.

Practical info

Tips

1 May is a public holiday in Italy: many shops, museums and restaurants are closed or have reduced hours, and transport runs a reduced service; check before you go (see transport in Rome). The square is packed from late morning: arrive early if you want to be near the stage, and bring water, sunscreen and little luggage. Security checks are to be expected and nearby streets are closed. Beware of pickpockets in the crowd (see scams to avoid in Rome). The programme and times are published on primomaggio.net and by the City of Rome (turismoroma.it); information checked in October 2026. Entry is free.

How to get there

Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 00184 Rome: metro A or C, San Giovanni station (a few minutes' walk from the square). On the day, check for possible station and street closures around the square.