Catania Off Fringe Festival
The international festival of off-theatre and performing arts
About Catania Off Fringe
An off-festival in the heart of Catania
The Catania Off Fringe Festival is the Sicilian iteration of the Fringe model, a formula born in Edinburgh and now spread across the globe: an open, independent, and decentralized festival where companies promote themselves and the audience is free to craft their own journey through dozens of shows. In Catania, in the heart of eastern Sicily, the event enlivens theaters, halls, multipurpose spaces, and unexpected venues throughout the historic center and surrounding districts for about ten days, reaching all the way to the slopes of Mount Etna.
Festival sections
The festival is divided into several sections that create a rich and diverse program:
- Catania In: nationally and internationally renowned artists performing in the most prestigious and symbolic cultural venues of Catania;
- Fringe Catania Off: the heart of the festival, featuring professional companies from Italy and abroad selected by a jury, performing a wide variety of rotating shows;
- Catania Free Fringe: free events designed for the city;
- Village Off: the central hub, hosting exhibitions, meetings, talks, and services at the Le Ciminiere Exhibition Center;
- Off dell'Off: the educational program aimed at schools and the new generation.
An international network
The Catania Off Fringe Festival is part of the Fringe Italia Off project, which connects Catania to Milan Off, and engages with the global Fringe network: partner cities include Avignon, Prague, Stockholm, Reykjavik, New Delhi, and many others. The result is a cosmopolitan yet deeply convivial atmosphere, where artists and professionals from all over the world meet to exchange ideas and projects.
Spirit and atmosphere
More than just a season of shows, the festival is a true celebration of the performing arts. Its spirit is one of hospitality, sharing, and cultural decentralization: theater steps out of traditional venues and into new spaces, contributing to the urban regeneration of the city's neighborhoods and landmarks. Organized by the Milano Off and La Memoria del Teatro associations under the direction of Francesca Vitale and Renato Lombardo, the event has become a highly anticipated fixture of the cultural autumn in the Municipality of Catania.
Catania Off Fringe — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The fifth edition of the Catania Off Fringe Festival will be held in Catania from October 15th to 25th, 2026. The dates have already been confirmed by the organizers, while the detailed program with show titles and selected companies has not yet been published: the call for artists has closed and selections are in progress.
As in previous editions, the festival will be structured into its signature sections - Catania In, Fringe Catania Off, Catania Free Fringe, Village Off, and Off dell'Off - bringing theater, dance, circus, and performing arts shows to numerous venues across the city, with the Village Off hosted at the Le Ciminiere Exhibition Center. For the final program, please refer to the official website and the event's social media channels.
Practical information — Catania Off Fringe
When
The 2026 edition will take place from October 15th to 25th, 2026. Performances are distributed across various city venues with rotating schedules, primarily from the afternoon until late at night.
Where
Venues are spread throughout Catania, from the historic center to the outlying districts. The Village Off, the festival's central hub, is hosted at the Le Ciminiere Exhibition Center.
How to get there
Catania is easily accessible by plane (Catania-Fontanarossa Airport), by train (Catania Centrale station), and by car via the A18 and A19 motorways. Once in the city, it is best to travel between venues on foot or by public transport.
Tickets and information
Access methods vary depending on the section and the specific show; some events in the Free Fringe section are free of charge. For the complete program, schedules, and ticket purchases, we recommend checking the official website and the festival's social media channels.
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Where does it take place — Catania Off Fringe
Sedi diffuse in città (Village Off al Centro Fieristico Le Ciminiere)