One perfect weekend
Detour Discotheque takes place over the weekend of Friday 11-Sunday 13 September 2026 in the city of Matera, southern Italy. It’s a boutique event that brings together retro parties (the discotheque) with local culture (the detour) for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Here’s a day-by-day look at what’s included in your ticket:
Friday
Afternoon Come get your welcome pack from the weekend’s main venue, Fondazione Monacelle, with info on making the most of the city of Matera.
Night Meet and greet Garden Party at Monacelle, followed by late-night dancing on the terrace with a ‘Cinema Paradisco’ theme.
Saturday
Morning Guided tours of Matera’s unique history and architecture.
Afternoon Detour Discotalk panel discussion at Fondazione Monacelle.
Night ‘Disco Silenzio’ silent disco deep within the labyrinthine rooms of Monacelle, with a ‘Chiaroscuro’ black and white theme.
Sunday
Afternoon Pizza piazza pop-up with our partners Crosta Mollica.
Evening Finale party on the terrace at Fondazione Monacelle. A last chance to dance with new friends.
All weekend
Detour tote bag and printed Event Guide with bespoke travel tips.
Bookable activities and experiences including feasts and classes.
Recommendations and special arrangements for Detour ticket holders to make the most of the city.
Where to stay
You’ll book your own place to stay, but we’ve handpicked a selection of nearby hotels and guesthouses to suit different budgets.
Getting around
Matera is a small city that’s easy and enjoyable to walk around. In fact, the unique layout of the Sassi means much of it is only accessible on foot.
Travelling to Matera from Bari Airport takes around an hour. There are bus services or you can take a taxi.
Bari Airport → Matera
€90–€120 per car
Hiring a car can be an economical way of getting around, and gives you freedom to explore. Parking in Matera is possible with a bit of patience – just use the EasyPark app to pay for parking in the blue bays. Some accommodation options also offer private parking.
Day trips and activities
From ravine hikes to secret bars, local wine tastings to perfect beaches, Matera and the Basilicata region are rich with detours worth taking.
We’ll be sharing a curated guide of our favourite places to eat, swim, shop and wander.
We don’t organise your transport – that’s part of the adventure – but we make it easy to plan your own.
On Saturday afternoon, you can join our tours of Matera, featuring epic vistas, architectural drama and local history.
There’ll also be optional classes, covering things like cookery and art, at Fondazione Monacelle, bookable as extras on arrival.
Dining
Food isn’t included in your ticket price, but Matera is packed with great, affordable places to eat, and we’ll recommend our favourites as part of the official Event Guide.
You can also book the Saturday feast at Area 8 in advance – a buffet of Italian classics at a gorgeous subterranean venue.
At a glance
Flights → you’ll book these yourself
Transfers → travel by bus, taxi or hire a car
Parties → all included with your ticket
Activities → some included, others available to book
Food → not included. Saturday feast is bookable as an add-on
Accommodation → stay at one of our handpicked nearby hotels