Sanremo 2026 Cover Night: The Star Duets Revealed — Cristina D’Avena, Surprise Guests & 30 Must‑See Moments

Sanremo 2026: the Cover Night duets you absolutely must know — surprise guests, iconic songs and fashion moments

Sanremo’s Cover Night is always a highlight of the festival — a single evening when established stars re‑interpret beloved classics, and guest duets bring unpredictable sparks. This year’s edition promises to be extra special: the organisers revealed a lineup packed with high‑profile pairings and unexpected names, from children’s‑TV icon Cristina D’Avena to incisive interviewer Francesca Fagnani. For style‑and‑music lovers alike, the night is set to deliver emotional performances and memorable looks. Here’s a detailed guide to the couples, the songs they’ll tackle and what to watch out for — both on the stage and in the wardrobe department.

What the Cover Night actually is

The Cover Night is a standalone competition within Sanremo where each Big artist performs a cover, often accompanied by a special guest. Scores on this night do not impact the final festival ranking, but they do shape public conversation and create Instagram‑worthy moments. It’s the evening when nostalgia, reinterpretation and collaboration meet — and 2026’s guest list is deliberately eclectic, mixing veterans, contemporary stars and even unexpected TV personalities.

Standout duets to anticipate

Here are the pairings that grabbed headlines the moment they were announced — and why they could become the shows everyone talks about:

Arisa with the Teatro Regio di Parma Choir — “Quello che le donne non dicono”: Expect a dramatic, vocal‑forward moment. Choir arrangements can elevate a pop song into something cathedral‑like; Arisa’s emotive delivery will likely make this a tear‑jerker.

Bambole di Pezza with Cristina D’Avena — “Occhi di gatto”: Childhood TV nostalgia meets modern pop. Cristina D’Avena is an icon for generations, and pairing her with an edgy contemporary act promises a fun, unexpected reinterpretation — and a potential breakout moment for wardrobe nostalgia.

Chiello with Morgan — “Mi sono innamorato di te” (Luigi Tenco): Morgan brings avant‑garde sensibility and theatrical flair; this pairing will likely be a moody, artful rendition with strong visual staging.

Enrico Nigiotti with Alfa — “En e Xanax” (Samuele Bersani): Given the song’s introspective lyrics, expect an intimate, raw performance that leans on lyricism rather than spectacle.

Michele Bravi with Fiorella Mannoia — “Domani è un altro giorno” (Ornella Vanoni): The meeting of two generations of refined vocalists could produce a finely nuanced, vocal‑centric performance — perfect for those who love classic Italian songcraft.

Fedez & Marco Masini with Stjepan Hauser — “Meravigliosa creatura” (Gianna Nannini): A pop edge, an emotive poet and a classically trained cellist — this trio is poised to create a lush, cinematic moment.

Patty Pravo with Timofej Andrijashenko — “Ti lascio una canzone” (Ornella Vanoni): Patty Pravo’s presence alone guarantees stage charisma and a fashion moment to remember; pair that with a dramatic duet partner and you have a headline‑making performance.

Why some pairings are smart festival strategy

Sanremo’s producers cleverly balance nostalgia with novelty. Inviting Cristina D’Avena appeals to viewers who grew up with her songs, while guests like Francesca Fagnani bring crossover appeal — cultural figures who add a different kind of visibility. The festival thrives on moments that trend on social media: an unexpected duet, a bold costume, or a stripped‑back, emotional rendition can ignite discussion across Italy and beyond.

Nostalgia factor: Classic songs and beloved voices draw broad audiences.

Cross‑over guests: TV personalities and cultural figures increase mainstream appeal.

Fashion plays the part: stylists will use this night to create iconic looks that get shared widely.

Fashion and beauty moments to expect

Sanremo is as much a fashion event as it is a music festival. Designers and stylists often use the Cover Night to make bold statements. Look out for:

Iconic glamour: veteran performers like Patty Pravo will likely choose couture that nods to classic Italian glamour — think strong shoulders, rich fabrics and dramatic accessories.

Playful nostalgia: duets that lean into childhood hits (Cristina D’Avena) might feature playful, retro styling — pastel hues, whimsical accessories and nods to TV‑era charm.

Understated elegance: intimate duets (Enrico Nigiotti, Alfa) could go for minimal, sleek looks that keep the focus on the song.

How to watch and what to stream

The Cover Night is scheduled for Friday, 27 February. For those outside Italy, the festival often reaches international viewers via streaming platforms or international news clips the next day. If you’re planning a watch party, prepare a playlist with the original tracks and these artist pairings — it makes for an informed and delightful viewing experience.

For the Princess‑Daisy reader: style tips inspired by the night

Channel the drama: invest in one statement piece — a velvet blazer or sequin gown — to reuse for evening events.

Mix nostalgia with modernity: pair a vintage‑style accessory (cuff, brooch) with contemporary tailoring.

Beauty tip: choose a signature lip colour to anchor any festival look — it photographs well and gives a cohesive finish.

Who to follow after the night

Keep an eye on social channels for instant reactions, and check fashion reports the next day for analysis on which looks will trickle down to street style. Sanremo’s Cover Night is always a creative laboratory — whether you love music, fashion or both, it’s the place to find fresh inspiration and standout moments that stick in the cultural memory.