REGISTRATIONS FOR THE 2026 FESTIVAL ARE CLOSED
The Ferrara Buskers Festival is a non-competitive event and all artists and artistic groups are chosen through a careful selection process.
Participating artists fall into two categories: GUEST ARTISTS and ACCREDITED ARTISTS.
GUEST ARTISTS (soloists or groups, mainly musicians):
- They are hosted (meals, accommodation in a 4-star hotel and travel expenses along the agreed route) at the organisation's expense.
- Guest artists take part for the whole duration of the festival (unless otherwise agreed with the organisers)
- If artists use amplification, it must be suitable for street performances, with respectful volume levels in keeping with busking.
- Guest artists are mainly musicians but, to a smaller extent, jugglers and other kinds of performers are also selected.
- Artists are selected both for Ferrara and for the Comacchio Preview
ACCREDITED ARTISTS (other kinds of artists, e.g. theatre, musicians, palm reading..):
- They can benefit from special partner rates for accommodation and meals offered by the organisation, but they receive no reimbursement of expenses.
- Based on the availability indicated by the artists, the organisation decides which and how many days to assign to the accredited artist/group.
- The number of accredited groups varies from day to day
- If artists need amplification, it must be suitable for street performances, with respectful volume levels in keeping with busking.
Only selected artists may perform at the Festival and all artists must PASS THE HAT.
No artist or group, guest or accredited, receives a fee.
Selection criteria
artistic skills and, specifically, busking skills:
ability to engage the audience
ability to "pass the hat"
ability to build one's own stage space
ability to break the fourth wall
technical equipment and amplification suitable for busking (no mains power connection)
improvisation techniques and rapport with the audience
submission of material (photos and videos) filmed in the street and busking experience
the programme will feature different genres, therefore the widest possible range (this means that an artist not selected for this edition could still be selected for the next one)
Rules
Out of respect for street musicians and performers, please note that (READ CAREFULLY):
Connections to the mains electricity, power generators and overly powerful amplification are not allowed
Full drum kits are not allowed (kits of max 3 pieces are allowed, with the bass drum muted or dampened with a soundproofing cloth).
Videos of street performances are welcome and artists with busking experience will be preferred. Please indicate any such experience and the squares where you have performed
Information, videos and photos of the selected artists will be published on the website and on the official social media pages to promote the event
Selected artists are included in the official festival programme and undertake to be present on the days assigned to them.
Artists, whether guest or accredited, must comply with the times and locations indicated by the organisation.
Guest artists perform in repeated 45-minute slots, from 8.00 pm to midnight
Priority will be given to artists with:
- improvisation skills
- audience engagement
- the art of "passing the hat"
- the ability to build their own stage space
- busking technical equipmentIncomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
For requests, doubts and questions write to r.bottoni@ferrarabuskers.com
The outcome of the selection process will be communicated, including if negative, by the end of June 2026. For urgent matters, write to us.