Burattinarte d'Inverno
The winter puppet theatre festival between Langhe and Roero
About Burattinarte d'Inverno
A festival that brings puppet theatre to life
Burattinarte d'Inverno is one of the longest-running Italian festivals dedicated to puppet theatre: puppets, marionettes, dolls, shadow theatre, and actors take turns on stage to tell stories that move both children and adults. Organized by the Burattinarte Cultural Association, the event is itinerant and visits various towns in the Langhe and Roero areas, but its hub is Corneliano d'Alba, a small town in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont, home to the Cinema Vekkio on Corso Riddone, the historic venue for the opening and one of the main stages.
Cinema Vekkio, the home of the festival
It is in the hall of the Cinema Vekkio that the festival raises the curtain on the new winter season every year. Here, you can breathe in the intimate and warm atmosphere that characterizes Burattinarte: an audience of families, the enchantment of animated figures, live music, and that magical suspension that only puppet theatre can create. Corneliano d'Alba, overlooking the hills of Roero, thus becomes a cultural landmark for the entire territory for a few weeks.
Companies from all over Italy
The program brings together companies from all over Italy, with styles ranging from the tradition of Commedia dell'Arte to the most contemporary and experimental forms of puppet theatre. Over the years, the festival has brought to the stage shows inspired by classic fairy tales, original plays, storytelling, music, and visual poetry, with a special focus on artists who are renewing the genre.
For the whole family, with free admission
One of the hallmarks of Burattinarte d'Inverno is free admission: the shows are open to everyone and designed to be shared across generations. It is the perfect opportunity to introduce little ones to the wonder of puppets and to bring adults back to the poetry of a theatre made of hands, wood, fabric, and imagination.
Between Langhe and Roero
In addition to Corneliano d'Alba, the festival stops in several towns in the area — including Alba, Piobesi d'Alba, Grinzane Cavour, Novello, Murazzano, and Guarene — creating a true winter itinerary among the UNESCO heritage hills. An original way to experience the Langhe and Roero even in the cold season, combining culture, theatre, and popular tradition.
Burattinarte d'Inverno — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the twenty-seventh, brought eight free-admission shows to the stage between January 18 and March 29, visiting Corneliano d'Alba, Piobesi d'Alba, Alba, Grinzane Cavour, Novello, Murazzano, and Guarene. The theme of the year was a tribute to the female artists who are renewing contemporary puppet theatre. Corneliano d'Alba, with its Cinema Vekkio, confirmed its role as the heart of the event, hosting both the inauguration and the special stop on March 1st.
Programme Burattinarte d'Inverno 2026
January 18 — Corneliano d'Alba, Cinema Vekkio (4:30 PM)
Il Notturno… con brio! by Laura Landi (Tuscan actress, puppeteer, and director). Opening show for children and adults: a refined drama with puppets and actors, live music, comedy, and surreal atmospheres. The protagonist Orlando falls through a trapdoor into the darkness, encountering death, the devil, love, and fear, in poetic and evocative scenes with references to Beethoven, Buscaglione, and E.T.A. Hoffmann.
February 1 — Piobesi d'Alba, Salone Polifunzionale (4:30 PM)
- Codamozza il Gatto — Habanera Teatro
February 8 — Alba, Teatro Sociale (4:30 PM)
- Area 52 — La Compagnia della Settimana Dopo
February 15 — Grinzane Cavour, Salone Parrocchiale (4:30 PM)
- Un po' di Pulcinella — Teatro del Secchio
March 1 — Corneliano d'Alba, Cinema Vekkio (from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM)
Alla Fiera dei Racconti — Piccolo Teatro Sasa Guadalupe with the duo Claudio & Consuelo. Stories to watch, listen to, and touch, in a free-admission afternoon designed for the whole family.
March 7 — Alba, Spazio DOM (3:00 PM)
- Ditelo ad alta voce, C'era una volta! — Piccolo Teatro Sasa Guadalupe
March 15 — Novello, Teatro Comunale (4:30 PM)
- Gioppino a Venezia in cerca di fortuna — Baraca & Böratì (Bergamo)
March 22 — Murazzano, Salone Polifunzionale (4:30 PM)
- Il Cane Infernale — Teatro Medico Ipnotico (Parma)
March 29 — Guarene, Chiesa della Confraternita (4:30 PM)
- Fragile — Valentina Vecchio (Bari)
Highlights Burattinarte d'Inverno 2026
Prices Burattinarte d'Inverno 2026
Practical information — Burattinarte d'Inverno
Where
Cinema Vekkio, Corso Riddone 3, Corneliano d'Alba (CN), province of Cuneo, Piedmont. The festival then continues in other towns of the Langhe and Roero.
How to get there
By car: Corneliano d'Alba is easily reached from the A33 Asti-Cuneo motorway (Marene or Alba exit) and from the provincial roads of the Roero. By train: Alba station is the nearest hub, with connections to the surrounding area.
Admission
Shows are free of charge. It is recommended to arrive early to secure a seat, especially for opening dates and family shows.
Contacts
Associazione Culturale Burattinarte — [email protected] — tel. +39 338 7154844 / +39 338 5413484. Full program at burattinarte.it.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Burattinarte d'Inverno
Cinema Vekkio
Corso Riddone 3, 12040 Corneliano d'Alba