Arena Italia — Castenaso under the Stars
Open-air cinema under the stars in the courtyard of Casa Bondi
About Arena Italia Castenaso
Cinema under the Stars in Castenaso
When summer arrives, the courtyard of the Casa Bondi library, on Via XXI Ottobre 1944 in Castenaso (metropolitan city of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna), changes its appearance and becomes Arena Italia: one of the most beloved open-air screens in the Bologna hinterland. The festival, known to everyone as "Castenaso sotto le stelle", accompanies the public for almost three months with the motto "a story every night".
A Program for Everyone
The strength of Arena Italia lies in its variety. The program alternates the most anticipated releases of the past season, great restored classics, cinema for families, Italian debut films, independent documentaries, and true author retrospectives. In recent years, the arena has dedicated tributes to directors such as Hayao Miyazaki, Federico Fellini, Woody Allen, and Carlo Verdone, also offering special free admission evenings.
The Atmosphere
Sitting under the stars in Castenaso is not just watching a movie: it's a small summer ritual. Seats are unnumbered, and you can sit wherever you like; an equipped bar with ice cream, coffee, hot popcorn, beers, and soft drinks operates inside, and dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash. The ticket office opens at 8:30 PM, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the anticipation before the screenings begin at 9:30 PM.
A Local Project
Arena Italia is managed by Cinema Italia Castenaso and is part of the summer program of the Municipality of Castenaso and the "Bologna Estate" circuit every year. It is one of the entities that animate the province of Bologna during the hot months, offering accessible culture just a stone's throw from home and affordable prices, also thanks to the national "Cinema Revolution" initiative.
How it Works
- Evening screenings starting at 9:30 PM (ticket office from 8:30 PM).
- Single venue: the courtyard of Casa Bondi, Via XXI Ottobre 1944, 7, Castenaso (BO).
- Single tickets and 10-entry passes, on sale online and at the box office.
- Program with a different title every night, from late June to early September.
Arena Italia Castenaso — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Arena Italia confirms the formula that made "Castenaso sotto le stelle" famous: open-air cinema in the courtyard of the Casa Bondi library in Castenaso (BO), with a different film each night from early June to early September.
Advance sales are already active online on Liveticket, with a schedule ranging from previews, animation, major international titles, and family films. A 10-entry pass is also available, as well as a special rate for holders of the Bonus Cultura.
Programme Arena Italia Castenaso 2026
Arena Italia 2026 offers a different story every night, from previews to family films. Advance sales on Liveticket are already open and feature several titles from the lineup, including:
- Animation and Family: Toy Story 5, Moana, The Wild Robot, Flow, Paddington in Peru, Persepolis.
- Classics and Cult: Taxi Driver, Thelma & Louise, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Fargo.
- Art House Cinema and New Releases: Wicked Little Letters, The Idea of You, My Mother's Story, Gli asteroidi, Per te.
Screenings begin at 9:30 PM, with the ticket office open from 8:30 PM. The complete evening schedule is published and updated on the arena's official website and Liveticket page.
Highlights Arena Italia Castenaso 2026
Prices Arena Italia Castenaso 2026
Practical information — Arena Italia Castenaso
Where
Courtyard of the Casa Bondi library, Via XXI Ottobre 1944, 7, 40055 Castenaso (BO), Emilia-Romagna.
Getting Here
By car: Castenaso is located a few kilometers east of Bologna along Via San Vitale (SP3); parking is available near the town center. By train and bus: the area is connected to Bologna by the suburban railway line and metropolitan public transport buses (TPER).
Times
Ticket office open from 8:30 PM; screenings start at 9:30 PM. Unnumbered seats.
Tickets
Affordable prices (thanks to Cinema Revolution for Italian and European films) and a 10-entry pass. Purchase online at cinemaitaliacastenaso.it (with a small fee) or directly at the arena's box office.
Services
Internal bar with ice cream, popcorn, beers, and soft drinks. Dogs allowed on a leash.
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Where does it take place — Arena Italia Castenaso
Cortile di Casa Bondi
Via XXI Ottobre 1944, 7, 40055 Castenaso