Songs of hope, a captivating rhythm, the Christmas atmosphere. The unbridled power of CHRISTMAS SOUL comes back to Ravenna with 4 gospel concerts – on Monday 29th, Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st December in Piazza del Popolo, on Thursday 1st January 2026 at the Dante Alighieri Theatre.
International artists from various countries will make Christmas holidays in Ravenna more magical, thanks to the exploration of the most spiritual and intense sphere of black music. Rhythms and armonies similar to the ones of soul, blues, R&B and funk music.
Concerts that are able to make everyone feel engaged, that seize and communicate the sense and the intimate spirit of Nativity.
During the Christmas holidays, from December 1st to 27th all parking areas managed by Azimut on behalf of the municipality will be free of charge from 4.30 pm, except for the one in piazza Baracca, which will be free from 6.30 pm.
PROGRAMMA
MONDAY 29th DECEMBER
SPIAGGE SOUL HOLY FELLAS (ITA)
Piazza del Popolo
Time: 6 pm
A group created during the Spiagge Soul summer festival that has become a symbol of the most authentic soul of Italian gospel and blues.
The band, lead by the Gloria Turrini and Bruno Orioli‘s voices, will be accompanied by an ensemble of high-level musicians and by a female choir conducted by Daniela Peroni. An evening full of energy, spirituality and deep vibrations.
TUESDAY 30th DECEMBER
GINGA IN GOSPEL • BACK TO BASIC (ITA)
Piazza del Popolo
Time: 6 pm
One of the most charismatic voices of Italian black music will take you to a journey through the roots of gospel, reinterpreted with a contemporary sensibility.
With a close-knit band and three extraordinary gospel voices – Claudia Milan, Gaia Bettin and Serena Defranceschi – Ginga will present an intense, involving show rich in groove, able to rediscover the great classics of the genre with a new expressive force.
WEDNESDAY 31th DECEMBER
GOD’S ANGELS SOUL OF GOSPEL REVUE (USA)
Piazza del Popolo
Time: 11 pm
The square will light up with the Soul of Gospel Revue by God’s Angels, guided by Knagui, artist from Pennsylvania and student of the legendary Twinkie Clark. The concert will mix gospel, soul, funk and jazz, transforming the square into a great collective celebration.
On stage, an international ensemble of musicians from the United States – including Ronnie Coleman Jr., James Brown, Kristina Dorsey, Marleny Rivas, Simone Hill, Alijah Singleton, Kenny Skinner and Eric Linson – and from Italy with Stefano Nardon, will bring to life an exhilarating show designed to celebrate the arrival of the new year with rhythm, emotion and powerful spiritual energy.
DJ LELLI – SUPERFUNKEXPERIENCE (ITA)
Piazza del Popolo
Time: following the concert
A pioneer of Italian funk, vinyl collector, and professional DJ since 1983, DJ Lelli will take you on a journey through the most powerful grooves in the history of funk, transforming Piazza del Popolo into a vast open-air dancefloor.
THURSDAY 1st JANUARY
MARQUIS DOLFORD & THE CAPITAL GOSPEL GROUP (USA)
Teatro Dante Alighieri
Time: 11.30 am
The festival will close with an event of great intensity – the concert by Marquis Dolford & The Capital Gospel Group, coming straight from Washington DC, one of the most important cradles of American gospel.
The group will present a repertoire that blends spirituality, African American roots, soul, and blues, with refined arrangements and extraordinary vocal power. An intense, profound, and enveloping experience, capable of welcoming the new year with emotion and authenticity.
Tickets can be booked starting December 16th at 10 am at teatroalighieri.org and at the Tourist Information Office in Piazza San Francesco.
