AstiTeatro
The contemporary theatre, dance, and circus festival in the heart of Asti
About AstiTeatro
AstiTeatro, the festival that turns the city into a stage
AstiTeatro is the performing arts festival promoted by the Municipality of Asti, in Piedmont, and represents one of the longest-running and most prestigious theatrical events in North-West Italy. Born in the late 1970s, every June it transforms the Asti capital into a vast, widespread stage where experimental theatre, contemporary dance, circus, and street performances engage with the city's historical and architectural heritage.
A sprawling stage across squares and historic palaces
The strength of AstiTeatro lies in its ability to step out of traditional theatres and reach the public in the most evocative spaces of the Asti province. Performances take place at the Teatro Alfieri and Spazio Kor, but also in the courtyards and halls of Palazzo Ottolenghi, Palazzo Alfieri, the Historical Archive, and the Giorgio Faletti Asti Library, as well as in the city centre squares. This widespread presence allows visitors to experience the festival as a journey through the entire city.
Research, national premieres, and young companies
The programme alternates big names from the national and international scene with experimental proposals and absolute premieres. The heart of the festival is the Scintille competition, reserved for young professional companies under 35: eight selected groups present excerpts of their shows in the courtyards of historic palaces, and the winning company receives a cash prize and the opportunity to produce and present the full show in the following edition. A true talent incubator for the Italian theatre of tomorrow.
Dopofestival and social spaces
Alongside the performances, AstiTeatro offers the Dopofestival, a free evening space with live music, exhibitions, and social gatherings that extend the festivities late into the night. Numerous events, starting with the opening contemporary circus show in the city centre, are free to attend, making the festival accessible to everyone, including families.
A defining event for Asti and Piedmont
Supported by local institutions and foundations, AstiTeatro is a fundamental pillar of the cultural offering of the Municipality of Asti and the Piedmont Region. For contemporary theatre enthusiasts, as well as those looking to discover the city of the Palio and the Monferrato in a lively and creative light, it is an unmissable opportunity to combine live performance, heritage discovery, and summer atmosphere.
AstiTeatro — edition 2026
AstiTeatro 48 — «A city to be lived»
The 2026 edition of AstiTeatro, the forty-eighth, brings the theme «A city to be lived» to Asti, with a programme that weaves together experimental theatre, dance, contemporary circus, and street arts. The artistic direction is entrusted to Mario Nosengo and Eugenio Fea.
The festival opens on Wednesday, June 10th with Memoriæ, a site-specific contemporary circus show by the companies Materiaviva and Artemakia, with free admission, along the route between Piazza Roma and Piazza San Secondo. Performance venues include the Teatro Alfieri, Spazio Kor, Palazzo Ottolenghi, Palazzo Alfieri, the Historical Archive, and the Asti Library.
Installations, national premieres, and Dopofestival
Highlights include the immersive installation Sofonisba. Dentro il sogno di Cabiria at Palazzo Alfieri and the multimedia show dedicated to Banksy. Every evening, the Dopofestival offers a free space for music and socialising for the public.
Scintille Competition
On June 19th and 20th, in the courtyards of historic palaces, the Scintille competition (16th edition) takes place: eight professional companies under 35 present twenty-minute excerpts of their productions. The winning company receives 8,000 euros and the opportunity to bring the finished show to AstiTeatro 2027 and the season at the Teatro Menotti in Milan.
Programme AstiTeatro 2026
Programme highlights
- June 10th — Inauguration with Memoriæ, site-specific contemporary circus (Materiaviva and Artemakia), free admission, from Piazza Roma to Piazza San Secondo
- June 13th — La Tragédie de Carmen in an adaptation inspired by Peter Brook
- June 14th — Bandiera by CapoTrave, national premiere
- June 18th — Heroes, a circus and dance creation
- June 10th-18th — Free evening Dopofestival at the Giardini Guglielminetti
- June 19th-20th — Scintille competition in the courtyards of historic palaces, free admission
Highlights AstiTeatro 2026
- Edition theme: «A city to be lived»
- Free opening contemporary circus show in the city centre
- Immersive installation «Sofonisba. Dentro il sogno di Cabiria» at Palazzo Alfieri
- Scintille competition for companies under 35 with an 8,000 euro prize
- Free evening Dopofestival
Prices AstiTeatro 2026
Practical information — AstiTeatro
Getting there
Asti is easily accessible by train (station on the Turin-Genoa line, just a few minutes from the historic centre) and by car via the A21 Turin-Piacenza motorway. The nearest airports are Turin-Caselle and Milan-Malpensa.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the Teatro Alfieri box office (tel. 0141 399057) and online via Biglietto Veloce. Numerous events, including the opening, the Dopofestival, and the Scintille competition, are free of charge.
Tips
Performances take place in multiple venues across the centre: it is best to walk between the squares and historic palaces. For outdoor evening shows, arriving early is recommended.
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Where does it take place — AstiTeatro
Teatro Alfieri