BOCCASCENA – The Festival of the Hamlets
The itinerant theatre festival touring the hamlets of the Mugello region
About Boccascena
A festival that brings the Mugello hamlets to life
Boccascena – The Festival of the Hamlets is one of the most cherished summer events in the area of Borgo San Lorenzo, the leading municipality of the Mugello in the province of Florence, Tuscany. The idea driving the entire festival is simple and generous: to take theatre out of conventional venues and bring it into the hamlets—the small villages and settlements that make up the municipal territory. Panicaglia, Ronta, Polcanto, Faltona, Castagno d'Andrea, and other smaller centers become open-air stages, one evening after another.
Theatre, storytelling, and music under the stars
The festival is itinerant: each event is held in a different hamlet, often in a public garden, a small square, at the local Pro Loco headquarters, or at a farm that opens its doors to the public. The program alternates between plays, puppet theatre, storytelling, folk music, and events designed for families and children. The times are set for summer evenings: shows generally begin at 9:15 PM, when the heat fades and the villages fill with life.
A festival built by the community
The strength of Boccascena lies in the direct involvement of the residents: it is the hamlets themselves, with their associations and Pro Loco groups, that host, organize, and set up the performances. It is a festival that weaves together live performance and local identity, highlighting places that usually remain off the major cultural circuits. The project is promoted by the Live Art Cultural Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Borgo San Lorenzo, under the artistic direction of Marco Paoli.
Borgo San Lorenzo and the Mugello
Borgo San Lorenzo is the most populous center of the Mugello, the valley north of Florence famous for its Apennine landscapes, rural traditions, and the ceramics of the Chini manufactories. Attending Boccascena is also a way to discover this corner of Tuscany far from the beaten tourist paths, where every hamlet preserves its own history and community. Admission to the shows is by free-will donation, a sign of the festival's popular and participatory nature.
Boccascena — edition 2026
The 9th edition of Boccascena opens on Saturday, June 26 at 9:15 PM in the public garden of Panicaglia with the show Radici di libertà, storie di donne partigiane (Roots of Freedom, Stories of Partisan Women), by and with Irene Barbugli and Margherita Fantoni, dedicated to the women of the Resistance. From there, the festival continues throughout the summer, hamlet after hamlet, until August 30. The festival is promoted by the Live Art Cultural Association with the Municipality of Borgo San Lorenzo.
Programme Boccascena 2026
Inauguration — Saturday, June 26, 9:15 PM
- Panicaglia (public garden) — Radici di libertà, storie di donne partigiane, by and with Irene Barbugli and Margherita Fantoni: a theatrical tale dedicated to the partisan women of the Italian Resistance.
The festival continues throughout the summer, from June 26 to August 30, with evening events (generally at 9:15 PM) touching the various hamlets of Borgo San Lorenzo: plays, puppet theatre, storytelling, and music for adults and children.
The complete calendar for the 9th edition is published and updated progressively by the Live Art Cultural Association. For the detailed program of all events, it is recommended to contact the organization (Marco +39 370 3092227, Barbara +39 338 4537541) or follow the channels of the Municipality of Borgo San Lorenzo.
Highlights Boccascena 2026
- Inaugural show Radici di libertà, storie di donne partigiane with Irene Barbugli and Margherita Fantoni.
- Itinerant theatre in gardens, squares, and farms of the Mugello hamlets.
- Admission by free-will donation for all shows.
Prices Boccascena 2026
Practical information — Boccascena
How to get there
Borgo San Lorenzo can be reached by car from Florence via the SS302 Faentina road or the A1 motorway, taking the Barberino di Mugello exit. By train, it is served by the Faentina line (Florence–Borgo San Lorenzo–Faenza). The shows take place in the various hamlets of the municipality: please check the exact location for each appointment.
Admission
Admission to the shows is by free-will donation.
Information and contacts
Live Art Cultural Association — Marco: +39 370 3092227; Barbara: +39 338 4537541 (WhatsApp available). Email: [email protected]. In case of bad weather, events may be postponed or moved indoors.
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Where does it take place — Boccascena
Frazioni di Borgo San Lorenzo