Andersen Festival
The festival of performing arts and fairy tales of Sestri Levante
About Andersen Festival
The City of Fairy Tales
The Andersen Festival is the flagship cultural event of Sestri Levante, a pearl of the Tigullio Gulf in the Metropolitan City of Genoa. The connection with the great Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen is profound: it was he who inspired the name of the famous Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fairy Tales), and it is to him that the city dedicates the prestigious Premio Andersen (Andersen Prize) for unpublished fairy tales every year.
A Widespread Stage
For several days, the historic center, squares, and seafront become an open-air stage: theatre, music, dance, storytelling, circus, and street arts animate every corner of the city. Dozens of shows, largely free, follow one another from afternoon until late evening, engaging an audience of all ages but with a special focus on children and families.
Artistic Direction and Andersen Prize
The festival is organized by the Municipality of Sestri Levante through its in-house company Mediaterraneo Servizi, with the support of the Liguria Region. The literary heart of the event is the Premio Andersen, a competition for unpublished fairy tales whose jury is led by prominent voices in Italian literature; the winners are announced during the festival. A mix of high cultural profile and popular entertainment that has made the Andersen Festival one of the most beloved events in Liguria.
Andersen Festival — edition 2026
The 29th edition of the Andersen Festival was held from June 4 to 7, 2026, with the artistic direction of Duccio Forzano, joined by actor Davide Paganini. The chosen theme, "The Present," was described by Forzano as "being truly there, with the body, with the gaze, with listening": an invitation to presence as an act of resistance and care towards the haste of our time.
During the festival, the winner of the 59th Premio Andersen for unpublished fairy tales was announced, with a jury chaired by writer Nadia Terranova. As tradition dictates, the program brought theatre, music, dance, storytelling, and circus performances to the city, largely free of charge.
Programme Andersen Festival 2026
2026 Theme — "The Present"
Artistic direction by Duccio Forzano. Four days of scattered performances among the squares, streets, and seafront of Sestri Levante.
- Performances of theatre, music, dance, storytelling, circus, and street arts, largely free
- Announcement of the winners of the 59th Premio Andersen for unpublished fairy tales (jury chaired by Nadia Terranova)
- Programming especially dedicated to children and families
The complete program was published on the official website andersensestri.it.
Highlights Andersen Festival 2026
Prices Andersen Festival 2026
Practical information — Andersen Festival
Where
Sestri Levante (GE), historic center, squares, and seafront, in the Gulf of Tigullio.
How to get there
Sestri Levante is served by the train station on the Genoa-La Spezia line and by the A12 motorway (Sestri Levante exit). The performances are held a short walk from the two bays.
Admission
Most performances are free. For some events, booking may be required: consult andersensestri.it.
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Where does it take place — Andersen Festival
Centro storico, piazze e lungomare di Sestri Levante