Calderara Week

A tradition spanning over forty years

For decades, the Settimana Calderarese has been the most cherished event for the community of Calderara di Reno, a town in the plain northwest of Bologna, in the Emilia-Romagna region. Born in the early eighties, the event has established itself as the great village festival at the start of summer: nine days that transform Piazza Marconi and the town center streets into a widespread stage for music, shows, sports, and social life. Organized by the Municipal Administration with the support of numerous local associations, the Settimana Calderarese is above all a festival made by and for the people, where volunteering is the true driving force of the event.

The program: music, dance, and shows every evening

The pulsating heart of the festival is the stage in Piazza Marconi, where concerts, tribute bands, dance performances, and comedy acts take place every evening. It kicks off with a dance performance to open, followed by musical evenings ranging from singer-songwriter music to pop, from rock to revivals of great hits. Alongside the main stage, the festival offers:

• concerts by bands and tribute bands from the Bologna area;
• dance and ballet performances curated by local schools;
• comedy and cabaret nights;
• choral performances and live music moments.

Sports, children, and the creativity market

The Settimana Calderarese is not just about music. Ample space is dedicated to families and children, with workshops, games, puppet shows, and sports activities. The Mercatino della Creatività (Creativity Market) enlivens the town center streets with crafts and local products, while sports are well represented thanks to local sports clubs. One of the most recent innovations is the Oscar dello Sport (Sports Oscars), the ceremony with which the Municipal Administration awards Calderara athletes who have distinguished themselves in their respective disciplines.

Good food and community spirit

The food stands, managed by volunteer associations such as the Unione Polisportiva Calderara and the Civil Protection, offer traditional Emilian dishes and street food options, while the Pro Loco and local committees contribute with sweets and initiatives. The entire festival has free admission and revolves around a strong social dimension: the "Il Sociale in Festa" (Socializing in Celebration) event dedicates spaces to local associations and volunteering, confirming the Settimana Calderarese as a great meeting point for the entire community of the Bologna province.

Why it's worth attending

Few events tell the identity of a town in the Emilian plain as well as the Settimana Calderarese. It is an authentic, popular, and intergenerational festival, far from commercial logic, where the quality of the shows is accompanied by the warmth of a community that comes together every year. An ideal opportunity to discover Calderara di Reno and experience the convivial spirit of Emilia-Romagna up close.