Four evenings dedicated to culture, entertainment, music, and socializing will bring the historic center of Pordenone to life with the return of “Thursdays Under the Stars.” The initiative, part of the “Summer in Pordenone” program, is part of the journey toward Pordenone’s designation as the 2027 Italian Capital of Culture and is promoted by the Department of Culture of the City of Pordenone in collaboration with Sviluppo e Territorio.
The events are scheduled for the evenings of Thursday, July 2, 9, 16, and 23. For the occasion, the city center will host a series of initiatives that will complement the stores’ evening hours with a lively program of cultural events, performances, music, family activities, and entertainment options for residents and visitors alike.
Culture Councilor Alberto Parigi: “An alliance between culture and commerce: we have organized a calendar of events designed to engage audiences of all ages, with the goal of supporting evening shopping in our stores and, at the same time, making the city even more attractive, both for our residents and for visitors from outside the city. We are particularly pleased to see broader participation from local merchants compared to last year, a sign that this initiative is increasingly supported and appreciated. Furthermore, this year’s program has been expanded to include four evenings—one more than last year’s edition—thus offering more opportunities to experience the city center and promote local businesses.”
Federico Ingargiola, President of Sviluppo e Territorio: “Thursdays Under the Stars are a summer tradition in Pordenone and a true economic and social driving force for our historic center. This year, we wanted to be more daring, investing in a rebranding that modernizes the event without losing its soul: the star and the invitation to ‘Star a Pordenone’ remain our guiding principles. Dividing the downtown area conceptually into a constellation allows us to highlight every single street. The real challenge for 2026, however, is the “Passport of Stars”: we want to reward the loyalty of those who choose our shops by offering a collectible item that will become the symbol of a tradition destined to stand the test of time. Every new feature introduced is the result of dialogue with local merchants, aimed at providing concrete solutions, creating real value, and actively supporting those who keep our city’s storefronts lit every day.”
THE SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, JULY 2
Stores Open
Throughout the event—spanning three evenings—shops in the city center will remain open until 11:00 p.m., welcoming residents and visitors with special extended hours, exclusive promotions, and dedicated promotional initiatives such as the “Passport of Stars”: For every purchase made during these evenings, participating merchants will place a star on the customer’s “passport,” and once all stars have been collected, participants will receive an exclusive, limited-edition gift. Infopoint in Piazza Cavour.
Music at the Museum with a Guided Tour and Aperitif
The program kicks off with a special evening at the Civic Art Museum – Palazzo Ricchieri at 6:00 p.m., an event that combines the charm of art with the universal language of music in a pleasant, convivial atmosphere. Accordionist Diego Borghese will open the evening with a musical prelude dedicated to the history of the accordion: a journey through its origins, its evolution, and its rich repertoire. As the audience listens to pieces by great composers, the deep connection between craftsmanship, musical tradition, and cultural heritage will become evident.
The music will accompany the audience on an evening guided tour of the museum’s permanent collection, offering the opportunity to rediscover the masterpieces of Giovanni Antonio de’ Sacchis—known as Il Pordenone—and Michelangelo Grigoletti, as well as the frescoes of the historic Palazzo Ricchieri, in a new, intimate, and evocative light. The experience will conclude with an aperitif at Caffè Municipio, courtesy of the coupon provided with the admission ticket: a moment of gathering and sharing to prolong the evening’s enjoyment.
Reservations are recommended; please email prenotazionimusei@comune.pordenone.it or call 380 4614951, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This event is included in the price of the museum admission ticket.
For families and children
The events calendar features a rich program of cultural and entertainment activities for families. Starting at 8:30 p.m. in Piazza XX Settembre, children can enjoy a fun-filled evening with circus-themed entertainment, a magic show, and plenty of tasty treats, including cotton candy and popcorn.
Sports Under the Stars
Among the scheduled events, “Kata under the Stars” is back—an initiative organized by Polisportiva Villanova Libertas. Starting at 5:00 p.m., Piazza XX Settembre will be transformed into a large space dedicated to sports, with two tatami mats where demonstrations and open sessions for the public will take place in turn. The event, designed specifically for children and teens but open to participants of all ages, will offer the opportunity to learn about and try out various martial arts disciplines and recreational physical activities, including Judo for Everyone (exploring movement), Judo Kata, Aikido, Tai Chi, and Self-Defense.
Your Free Song
At 8:45 p.m., in the setting of the former Convent of San Francesco, the semifinal of the 23rd edition of *Il tuo canto libero*—the City of Pordenone Singing Competition, organized by the CEM Culture and Music Association—will take place. This is an event dedicated to showcasing musical talent that is not to be missed.
Not Just the Historic Center
In addition to the events in the historic center, the program also extends to the city’s neighborhoods with additional cultural and entertainment offerings. At 9:00 p.m., at the Arena in Largo Cervignano, thanks to the Compagni Arti e Mestieri Association in collaboration with Cinemazero, the outdoor movie series returns with a screening of the film “Tutta colpa del rock,” an Italian musical comedy directed by Andrea Jublin and starring Lillo. Admission is free.
In the Torre neighborhood, at 9:00 p.m., the Il Castello Torre Association will inaugurate the new stage in the green space at Torre Castle: the first event on the program is the show “I ragazzi della strada accanto” by Marco Anzovino, a story told through words and music inspired by his experience as an educator and music therapist at the Villa Renata therapeutic community.