Casinum - Summer Festival of the Roman Theatre

A summer festival in the heart of ancient Casinum

Every summer, the Casinum festival transforms the Roman Theatre of Cassino into one of the most evocative open-air stages in southern Lazio. The tiers of the ancient theatre, part of the archaeological area of the Roman city of Casinum, fill with audiences for an extensive programme that weaves together music, theatre, cinema, dance, and comedy. The 2026 edition runs from May 27 to September 11, featuring forty events, many of which are free of charge by the express wish of the municipal administration.

The 2026 Programme

The curtain rises on May 27 with a free performance by Giobbe Covatta, "70 - Riassunto delle puntate precedenti". Throughout the summer, the Roman Theatre stage will host renowned Italian performers such as Raf, Luca Ward, Greg, actor Enrico Lo Verso, and journalist Francesco Repice, alongside local artists including MBL, the H2O crew, and Shekkero.

• Theatre and Comedy: monologues, plays, and stand-up evenings featuring national stars.
• Live Music: from singer-songwriter performances to hip-hop and concerts by the "Montalcini" Institute.
• Open-air Cinema: the return of free cinema under the stars with the tenth edition of "C'era una volta il cinema" and the Italia Green Film Festival.
• Special Events: on July 12, a performance by the Vatican Gendarmerie Band and the Virgo Fidelis Choir of the Carabinieri.

The programme also includes masterclasses, stops for national festival circuits, and a showcase dedicated to Ethical Fashion, creating a mosaic of offerings designed for all ages and tastes.

A project by the Municipality and the Pro Loco

Casinum is organised by the Municipality of Cassino in collaboration with the local Pro Loco. The decision to keep many events free and to offer capped prices for major shows reflects a commitment to making culture accessible and highlighting a landmark site of the city. After the destruction of the Second World War, Cassino rebuilt its identity partly through the recovery of its ancient heritage: the Roman Theatre summer festival is now one of the most anticipated events in the city's calendar.

The Roman Theatre and the city of Cassino

The Roman Theatre stands within the archaeological area of Casinum, at the foot of the hill that hosts the Abbey of Montecassino, one of the most important sites of Western Christianity. Attending a show on these tiers means experiencing contemporary culture in direct dialogue with the city's thousand-year history. Cassino, the main hub of southern Lazio in the province of Frosinone, thus offers visitors an experience that blends archaeology, live performance, and the atmosphere of summer evenings.