ARTinCIRCO — International Festival of Contemporary Circus and Performing Arts
The international contemporary circus festival in the heart of the Bolognese area
About ARTinCIRCO Festival
The new circus arrives in Ozzano dell'Emilia
ARTinCIRCO is the International Festival of Contemporary Circus and Performing Arts that has chosen Ozzano dell'Emilia, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, as its natural home. Founded in 2018 and directed by Ferdinando D'Andria, the festival has grown to become one of the key events for contemporary circus in Emilia-Romagna and Italy.
The heart of the event is the large circus tent set up in the Park of Via della Repubblica, in front of the town hall: for about two weeks between April and May, it becomes the stage for acrobats, tightrope walkers, dancers, and musicians from all over Europe.
A widespread and itinerant festival
ARTinCIRCO is not confined to the Ozzano tent. It is a widespread festival that, from the center of Ozzano, extends to the hills of Settefonti with itinerant shows in nature and continues during the summer with stops in other municipalities in the Bolognese area, including Minerbio. It is a model of accessible culture that brings contemporary circus to squares, parks, and woods, outside traditional theaters.
Not just shows
Alongside the program of company performances, the festival offers a rich schedule of collateral activities designed to engage audiences of all ages:
- Contemporary circus shows by Italian and international companies
- Free circus, juggling, and aerial acrobatics workshops led by the Ozzano circus school
- Sound installations and creative games made with recycled materials
- Photographic and painting exhibitions dedicated to the world of circus
- In-depth meetings, artist meet-and-greets, and training days
A cultural network for the territory
Supported by the Metropolitan City of Bologna, the Municipality of Ozzano dell'Emilia, and numerous local partners, ARTinCIRCO enhances public spaces as venues for shared culture. The festival combines the spectacular nature of new circus with a focus on inclusion, sustainability, and participation, confirming itself as one of the most vibrant realities in the Emilia-Romagna performing arts scene.
ARTinCIRCO Festival — edition 2026
The ninth edition of the International Festival ARTinCIRCO took place in Ozzano dell'Emilia from April 18 to May 3, 2026, with the usual big top set up in the Park of Via della Repubblica, the heart of the event. The program brought together Italian and international contemporary circus companies, alongside free workshops, sound installations, photographic exhibitions, and in-depth meetings. From the center of Ozzano, the festival then continued its journey towards the hills of Settefonti and, during the summer, towards other municipalities in the Bolognese area.
Programme ARTinCIRCO Festival 2026
Company in residence — MagdaClan
- "Elogio alla Noia" (Praise for Boredom) — a visually impactful show combining contemporary dance, acrobatics, and aerial poetry
- "Eccezione" (Exception) — a circus performance intertwining live music and physical expression
Other companies
- Duo Padella
- Freak Clown
- Paolo Piludu
- Previews "Wait For" and "Il tempo di un tramonto" (The Time of a Sunset) by Chiara Abbà and Marilù D'Andria (May 1-3)
Special event — May 2
- National premiere of the documentary "Sospesi" (Suspended), directed by Francesco Sgrò and Luca Quaia: a visual and poetic journey into the Italian contemporary circus scene
Collateral activities
- Free circus workshops for all ages, organized by the Ozzano circus school
- Creative games with recycled materials by the Officina Clandestina company
- Sound installations, photographic and painting exhibitions
Towards Settefonti
- Itinerant musical circus show "Bosco Sonoro" (Sound Forest) (May 9-10, Settefonti hills)
The full program is published on the official website www.artincirco.it.
Highlights ARTinCIRCO Festival 2026
Prices ARTinCIRCO Festival 2026
Practical information — ARTinCIRCO Festival
Where
Park of Via della Repubblica, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Emilia-Romagna. The festival tent is set up in the green area in front of the town hall.
How to get there
Ozzano dell'Emilia is located about 15 km southeast of Bologna, along the Via Emilia (SS9). By car, it is accessible from the A14 (San Lazzaro exit). By train, Ozzano dell'Emilia station is served by the Bologna–Rimini regional line. Parking is available near the park.
Tickets
Shows under the big top are generally ticketed, with tickets and passes available for purchase online at diyticket.it and at selected points of sale. Workshops, installations, exhibitions, and some park activities are free admission.
Information
Email: [email protected] — Phone: +39 342 7736730 — Official website: www.artincirco.it
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Where does it take place — ARTinCIRCO Festival
Parco di via della Repubblica
Parco di via della Repubblica, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia