Have you heard about the Kilowatt Festival Sansepolcro and would like to learn more about it to understand what it is and, above all, how to participate without making mistakes? Have you been told that Sansepolcro turns into an open-air stage but don’t know how to navigate reservations, locations, and accommodations? If the answer is yes, know that you are in the right place at the right time.
In this guide, I will explain in detail everything you need to know about this famous cultural event.

We’ll start with its history and philosophy, review the main venues where the shows take place, and provide you with all the practical information you need on how to buy tickets and organize your stay. I’ll also suggest how to optimize your experience by staying at Borgo Benedetto, a property located in the hamlet of Paradiso that may be right for you if you’re looking for relaxation just a few minutes from the center.
All you need to do is take five minutes of your time, make yourself comfortable, and read carefully what I am about to explain. I am sure that, by the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of how to get the most out of the Kilowatt Festival. Want to bet?

Table of contents

  1. What is the Kilowatt Festival Sansepolcro?
  2. The philosophy of the “Visionaries”
  3. Where the festival takes place: the main locations
  4. How to purchase tickets and prices
  5. How to get there and where to park
  6. Useful tips for your visit
  7. What to see in Sansepolcro during the festival
  8. Where to stay: Borgo Benedetto
  9. FAQ – Kilowatt Festival Sansepolcro

What is the Kilowatt Festival Sansepolcro?

First of all, it is essential to understand the nature of the event. The Kilowatt Festival Sansepolcro is a multidisciplinary exhibition dedicated to contemporary art that takes place every year, usually in July. It is not a traditional festival, but a project that combines theater, dance, music, and visual arts in a medieval urban setting.

The event is organized by the CapoTrave/Kilowatt Association and stands out for the quality of its artistic offerings, so much so that it has received numerous national awards (such as the Ubu Prize). The festival’s strength lies in its ability to create a dialogue between modern performances and the historic architecture of the city of Sansepolcro, creating a visual and conceptual contrast that is greatly appreciated by visitors. Participating in Kilowatt means attending avant-garde performances in cloisters, deconsecrated churches, and noble palaces that are not normally open to the public.

The philosophy of the “Visionaries”

One of the most interesting aspects of the Kilowatt Festival, which you absolutely must know about, is the Visionaries project. It is a unique experiment in cultural democracy. In simple terms, some of the shows on the program are not chosen by professional artistic directors, but by a group of about 30/40 ordinary citizens.

These citizens, called “Visionaries,” meet during the winter to view hundreds of video performances sent in by companies from all over Europe. At the end of this process, they select the works they consider most interesting to be staged in July. This method ensures that the festival is always in tune with the tastes of the real audience and creates a strong bond between the citizens and the event. If you happen to talk to a local resident during the festival, they are likely to be a Visionary who is proud of their choice.

Where the festival takes place: the main locations

If you are wondering where the shows are actually held, you should know that the Kilowatt Festival is a “widespread” event. There is no single theater, but a series of locations scattered throughout the historic center of Sansepolcro. Here are the main ones:

  • Teatro alla Misericordia: located in Via della Misericordia, it is the festival’s headquarters. It is a former medieval hospital now used as an artistic residence center.
  • Chiostro di San Francesco: an evocative place characterized by Renaissance arches, perfect for contemporary dance performances.
  • Piazza Torre di Berta: the main square of Sansepolcro, where free events, concerts, and gatherings are usually held.
  • Private gardens and palaces: depending on the annual program, courtyards of historic buildings (such as Palazzo Ducci-Del Rosso) or secret gardens are opened to host site-specific performances.

I suggest you always download the official map in PDF format from the festival website to locate the entrance to each show, as some secondary entrances may not be immediately visible.

How to purchase tickets and prices

Let’s now move on to the practical part: purchasing tickets. There are several ways to purchase tickets to attend the Kilowatt Festival Sansepolcro shows.

  1. Online purchase: this is the most recommended method. By visiting the festival’s official website, you can access the ticketing platform (usually Liveticket). Here you can select individual shows or purchase packages/season tickets.
  2. Physical ticket office: during the festival, a central ticket office is set up in the historic center. However, please note that many shows are held in venues with limited capacity and tickets tend to sell out very quickly.
  3. Costs: prices are generally very reasonable to encourage everyone to participate. There are discounts for young people under 25 and special agreements. Some events, such as those in the square or meetings with artists, are free of charge until all seats are taken.

How to get there and where to park

Sansepolcro is located in the province of Arezzo, in Valtiberina. There are several ways to get there:

  • By car: if you are coming from the north or south, take the E45 (Orte-Ravenna) and exit at Sansepolcro. Once you arrive, I do not recommend trying to enter the historic center by car, as it is a restricted traffic zone (ZTL). You can park conveniently on Viale Vittorio Veneto or near the Palazzetto dello Sport.
  • By train: the nearest station is Arezzo. From there, you will need to take an extra-urban bus (Tiemme) that will take you directly to Sansepolcro in about 45-50 minutes.

Once you have parked or got off the bus, you can only get around on foot. The center is flat and the distances between the various Kilowatt locations are never more than a 5-10 minute walk.

Useful tips for your visit

To avoid any mishaps and enjoy the experience like a true expert, I suggest you follow these technical tips:

  • Punctuality: Kilowatt shows start with extreme precision. If you arrive after the show has started, for safety reasons and out of respect for the artists, you may be denied entry, even if you have a ticket.
  • Clothing: Sansepolcro is characterized by cobbled streets. I strongly recommend wearing comfortable shoes and avoiding heels or stiff footwear. Also, bring a light sweater with you: in the evening, in Valtiberina, the humidity can be noticeable.
  • Checking the program: the festival has a packed schedule of events that often overlap. Use the official app or website to create a “personal itinerary” so you don’t miss the shows that interest you most.

What to see in Sansepolcro during the festival

If you decide to spend several days in Sansepolcro, don’t limit yourself to theater performances. The city offers artistic treasures that are well worth visiting. In particular, don’t miss the Civic Museum, which houses Piero della Francesca’s most famous works, such as “The Resurrection” and “The Mercy Altarpiece.”

I also recommend a visit to the Aboca Museum, a fascinating exhibition dedicated to medicinal herbs and the history of ancient pharmaceuticals. Strolling through the town center, you will also notice numerous artisan workshops that keep traditions such as bobbin lace and woodworking alive. Combining the contemporary culture of Kilowatt with the town’s Renaissance history is the best way to enjoy a complete vacation.

Where to stay: Borgo Benedetto

If you are looking for somewhere to stay that is close to the center but far from the noise of nighttime events, I suggest you consider Borgo Benedetto. It is a country house located in the hamlet of Paradiso, just a few minutes’ drive from Sansepolcro, offering a curated hospitality experience designed around comfort, nature, and slow living. You can explore all the available services at Borgo Benedetto
to tailor your stay around the Kilowatt Festival and the rhythm of the Tuscan countryside.

Why choose this accommodation? It’s easy to say. Staying at Borgo Benedetto, you can enjoy:

  • Independent accommodation: you can choose between La Suite, the Loft, or the Cottage, ideal if you are looking for privacy and superior comfort compared to a normal hotel room.
  • Relaxation and swimming pool: After spending hours moving between performances and historic venues, having a place to truly unwind makes all the difference. Guests can enjoy the pool and spa experience at Borgo Benedetto, surrounded by greenery and absolute silence, the perfect way to recharge before another evening of shows in Sansepolcro.
  • Local products: the property is also a farm. You can taste and purchase their artisanal extra virgin olive oil or homemade limoncello, taking home an authentic souvenir of the Valtiberina.

FAQ – Kilowatt Festival Sansepolcro

The Kilowatt program is a kaleidoscope of contemporary languages. Don’t expect classical theater: here you’ll find experimental dance, avant-garde drama, contemporary circus, and concerts ranging from electronic music to experimental singer-songwriters. A very popular section is dedicated to digital arts and interactive installations that often involve the audience directly. The festival also hosts creative workshops and meetings with artists (the “Dopofestival”), where you can chat with the performers in an informal and friendly atmosphere. This variety makes the festival suitable for both the most demanding enthusiasts in search of something new and those who simply want to be carried away by the beauty of a high-quality street performance in an exceptional historical setting.

The magic of Kilowatt lies precisely in its being a widespread festival. The events are not confined to traditional theaters such as the Teatro Dante or the Teatro alla Misericordia, but invade squares, hanging gardens, and cloisters. Iconic locations such as the Chiostro di San Francesco become temples of dance, while Piazza Torre di Berta is transformed into a center for live music. Many shows are held in “unconventional spaces”: historic buildings that open their doors only for the occasion, offering a rare opportunity even for tourists to peek behind the scenes of the Biturgensis nobility. Getting around these places is an adventure on foot: for those staying in Borgo Benedetto, in the hamlet of Paradiso, reaching these sites is a matter of a few minutes by car, allowing you to move easily between the different “stations” of art.

Experiencing a day at Kilowatt requires rhythm and curiosity. We recommend starting the morning with a cultural visit to the Civic Museum to admire Piero della Francesca, or enjoying the silence of the Borgo Benedetto gardens. The afternoon is the time for workshops and short performances in the courtyards. At sunset, the city begins to pulsate: it’s time to choose between a dance performance and a video installation. The evening is dedicated to the “main event” in the square or theater, often followed by midnight concerts that end the day with energy. Remember to break up the shows with dinner in one of the typical trattorias in the center to savor the flavors of the Valtiberina. Wearing comfortable shoes and having the digital program with you is the secret to not missing a moment of this creative frenzy.

Absolutely. The festival has an inclusive ethos and pays a lot of attention to the younger generation. The program often includes puppet shows, contemporary marionettes, and educational workshops designed specifically to stimulate children’s creativity. Many street performances are visually captivating and capable of capturing children’s attention in a magical way. For families, staying at Borgo Benedetto offers a huge advantage: after the excitement of the festival, children can run safely in the park, play in the orchard, or explore the organic vegetable garden. Staying in a cottage or independent suite gives parents the freedom to manage their schedules and meals in complete autonomy, making a cultural vacation a light and enjoyable experience for everyone.

For performances taking place in theaters or private courtyards, booking is strongly recommended, and in many cases mandatory. The very nature of the venues chosen—intimate and historic—limits the number of spectators to ensure optimal viewing and site safety. Tickets can be conveniently purchased online on the festival’s official website or at the central information point in Sansepolcro. For free events in the square, however, admission is free, but it is a good idea to arrive a little early to ensure a good view. Staying at Borgo Benedetto allows you to plan your itinerary at your leisure: the staff can help you navigate the booking procedures, ensuring you don’t miss the show that intrigues you most and allowing you to enjoy the evening without the anxiety of last-minute queues.

Sansepolcro is a culinary capital, and during the Kilowatt Festival, the gastronomic offerings are lively. Between shows, you can stop at the cafés on Via XX Settembre for an aperitif or dine in the historic taverns. Don’t miss the handmade pasta dishes, Valtiberina truffles, and local cheeses. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, return to Borgo Benedetto to enjoy the farm’s own produce. A detail that all guests love is ending the evening with a glass of their homemade limoncello or savoring bruschetta with their own extra virgin olive oil, extracted from the olive trees surrounding the village. It is the perfect way to combine theater culture with the culture of the land, celebrating Tuscan authenticity in all its forms.

Choosing Borgo Benedetto means choosing the “luxury of tranquility.” While the festival is an explosion of sounds and human interaction, the country house in the hamlet of Paradiso offers the necessary opposite: regenerating silence. The property combines the charm of a historic village with modern comforts, offering independent accommodations such as the Loft or the Suite that make you feel at home. You can alternate between watching avant-garde shows and afternoons of total relaxation by the pool or walks in the botanical garden among aromatic herbs and fruit trees. What’s more, its strategic proximity to the center of Sansepolcro allows you to come and go without stress. Staying here transforms your cultural weekend into a complete sensory journey, where the art of the Kilowatt Festival and the beauty of the Tuscan countryside merge into an unforgettable memory.