Cinema al Castello
The summer open-air cinema under the stars at the Castello dell'Imperatore in Prato
About Cinema al Castello
Cinema under the stars in Prato
When summer arrives, the Castello dell'Imperatore in Prato opens its walls to one of the city's most beloved traditions: Cinema al Castello, an open-air cinema set up in the courtyard of the Swabian fortress, right in the heart of the historic center. For nearly three months, every evening, the giant screen lights up at 9:30 PM for an audience of 200, offering a program that ranges from the season's biggest hits to auteur films, restored classics, and live cine-concerts.
A monumental setting in the heart of the city
The festival takes place at the Castello dell'Imperatore, the only example of Swabian-Federician architecture in central-northern Italy, built by order of Frederick II of Swabia. Watching a film within the crenellated walls of this monument, located in the heart of Prato and just steps from the Cathedral, is an experience that blends the pleasure of great cinema with the charm of history. It is a flagship event of Prato Estate, the city's summer cultural calendar.
A program for every taste
The Cinema al Castello program goes beyond recent releases. Alongside the most acclaimed titles of the season, the festival—organized by Associazione ARCI Prato APS in collaboration with Terminale Cinema - Casa del Cinema di Prato—features several special sections:
- I lunedì del Mabuse: A series dedicated to great restored classics, in partnership with the historic local film society.
- Cinefilante: Evenings designed for children and families, with titles suitable for all ages.
- Cine-concerts: Screenings of silent films accompanied by live music, rediscovering the masterpieces of early cinema.
Affordable prices thanks to Cinema Revolution
One of the festival's most appreciated features is its accessibility. By participating in the national Cinema in Festa and Cinema Revolution initiatives, tickets for Italian and European films remain at just €3.50 throughout the season. It is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the big screen at a symbolic price in one of Tuscany's most dynamic provinces.
A staple of Prato's summer
For years, Cinema al Castello has been the go-to destination for those in Prato and the surrounding province looking to spend their summer evenings enjoying quality cinema. Between screenings, the public fills the castle courtyard, creating the collective, vibrant atmosphere that characterizes the best open-air arenas in Italy.
Cinema al Castello — edition 2026
The summer arena at the Castello dell'Imperatore reopens on Monday, June 15, 2026, and will host the public until September 7, with a screening every evening at 9:30 PM. From June 15 to 18, for Cinema in Festa, all tickets are €3.50; starting June 19, Cinema Revolution begins, keeping Italian and European films at €3.50.
The program features the most acclaimed titles of the season, series of restored classics, a cine-concert, and evenings dedicated to families. The program for the second half of the summer, from August 1 to September 7, was published in July.
Programme Cinema al Castello 2026
Opening and first weeks (June)
- June 15-18 — Cinema in Festa: all films at €3.50
- From June 19 — Cinema Revolution: Italian and European films at €3.50
Season highlights
- Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier (Jury Prize at Cannes 2025)
- Una battaglia dopo l'altra by Paul Thomas Anderson
- Un semplice incidente by Jafar Panahi (Palme d'Or at Cannes 2025)
- La Grazia by Paolo Sorrentino
- Primavera by Damiano Michieletto
- Le città di pianura by Francesco Sossai
I lunedì del Mabuse (restored classics)
- June 29 — One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
- July 6, 13, 20, 27 — other great restored classics
Cine-concert
- July 9 — Strike!: the 1924 film by Sergei Eisenstein with live musical accompaniment (ticket €16.00)
Cinefilante (for children and families)
- June 18 and July 16 — family-friendly screenings
Program July 17-31
- July 17 — Una battaglia dopo l'altra (Paul Thomas Anderson)
- July 18 — Hamnet (Chloé Zhao)
- July 19 — Il Maestro (Andrea Di Stefano)
- July 20 — The Seven Year Itch (Billy Wilder)
- July 21 — No Other Choice (Park Chan-wook)
- July 22 — Nouvelle Vague (Richard Linklater)
- July 23 — I colori del tempo (Cédric Klapisch)
- July 24 — L'attachement (Carine Tardieu)
- July 25 — The Devil Wears Prada 2 (David Frankel)
- July 26 — The Drama (Kristoffer Borgli)
- July 27 — The Desert of the Tartars (Valerio Zurlini)
- July 28 — Wuthering Heights (Emerald Fennell)
- July 29 — The Stranger (François Ozon)
- July 30 — Primavera (Damiano Michieletto)
- July 31 — Michael (Antoine Fuqua)
Highlights Cinema al Castello 2026
Prices Cinema al Castello 2026
Practical information — Cinema al Castello
Location
Castello dell'Imperatore, Piazza delle Carceri, Prato (PO), in the heart of the historic center, a short walk from the Cathedral and Prato Centrale train station.
Getting there
By train: Prato Centrale station is about a 15-minute walk away. By car: Take the Prato Est or Prato Ovest exit on the A11 Firenze-Mare motorway; parking is available near the city center.
Showtimes
Screenings every night at 9:30 PM; box office opens at 8:30 PM.
Tickets
Italian and European films: €3.50. Other films: full price €6.50, reduced €5.50 (for ARCI and Casa del Cinema members, Coop card holders, and partner discounts). Online pre-sales available at www.terminalecinema.com with a €0.50 booking fee.
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Where does it take place — Cinema al Castello
Castello dell'Imperatore
Piazza delle Carceri, 59100 Prato