Chicagoland

A Revival Night in the Heart of Baricella

Chicagoland is the most anticipated summer event in Baricella, a town in the Bolognese plain in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna. Born in 2017, this popular event each year brings back the atmosphere of the legendary Chicago disco, a historic dance venue that, between the late 1970s and mid-1980s, made Baricella one of the capitals of Emilian nightlife, attracting young people from all over the province.

The Link with Bibi Ballandi

The Chicago disco was created by Bibi Ballandi (Baricella, June 26, 1946 - February 15, 2018), a television producer and show business impresario known as "the stars' manager," originally from Baricella. From that venue began his extraordinary career that led him to produce some of the greatest Italian television programs. Chicagoland was created to preserve this collective memory and celebrate the musical roots of the town.

Special Edition for Bibi Ballandi's 80th Birthday

The 2026 edition, the seventh, holds special significance: it falls in the year of the 80th anniversary of the birth of Bibi Ballandi. The party opens with a preview on Friday, June 26, Bibi's birthday, and continues with the main evening on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The Municipality of Baricella dedicates the entire event to the figure of its most famous fellow citizen.

Two Stages, One Great Party

The music is spread across two stages in the town center. The Pre-Remember kicks off the festivities from 6:00 PM on the Short Café Stage in Piazza Pertini, with DJs Victor, Frank Nastri, TBC, Pery, and Fattori on the decks. From 10:00 PM, things heat up with the Remember Chicago on the Chiosco Niki Stage, near Via Europa, featuring Meo, Ebreo, and Spranga. The voice of Thomas Voice will warm up the night.

Not Just Music

The Chicagoland day isn't just about DJ sets. The party is enriched by the vintage market and the vintage car and motorcycle rally, which transform the town's streets into a journey back in time. The event, with free admission, is organized by the Comitato Operatori Economici Uniti in collaboration with Vision and with the patronage of the Municipality of Baricella, and attracts thousands of visitors each year.