The show was presented by Johnny Dorelli and Gabriella Carlucci (the former having won the festival in 1958 and 1959).
[2] According to the rules of this edition, each song of the Big Artists section was presented in a double performance by a non-Italian singer or group, and adapted in their foreign language.
[1] The winner of the Big Artists section was the band Pooh with the song "Uomini soli", while Mia Martini won the critics award with the song "La nevicata del '56".
Marco Masini won the Newcomers section with the song "Disperato".
[1] All shows were broadcast on Italian Television beginning at 22:00 CET (21:00 UTC).