Circonauta Festival
International Contemporary Circus Festival in the Baroque heart of Nardò
About Circonauta
Circonauta: contemporary circus in the heart of Salento
Circonauta – International Contemporary Circus Festival is one of the most significant contemporary circus events in Southern Italy. Every summer, for six days in July, the festival transforms the Baroque historic centre of Nardò, an art city in the province of Lecce, into a vast, widespread stage: the squares, cloisters, and open spaces of Salento become dedicated venues for circus and street arts. Organised by the Circonauta APS association, the festival draws thousands of spectators to the heart of the Salento region in Puglia every year.
An international and multidisciplinary festival
Circonauta brings companies and artists from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Argentina, the United States, Japan, and across Europe to Nardò. The programme weaves together clowning, aerial acrobatics, physical theatre, Korean cradle, juggling, diabolo, mime, street theatre, live music, and visual comedy in shows designed for diverse audiences and generations. Alongside the performances, the festival offers photographic exhibitions, workshops, meetings, and round-table discussions, as well as an evening music section that brings the historic centre to life at night.
An eco-conscious journey
For several editions, Circonauta has been developing an eco-conscious theme dedicated to the relationship between humanity and the planet, structured around natural elements. Each edition selects a theme that becomes the common thread of the programming, transforming the urban space of Nardò into a place of encounter, connection, and collective imagination. The festival thus becomes not only entertainment but also an opportunity for shared reflection on the territory and the environment.
The festival squares
The festival unfolds across the iconic landmarks of Nardò's Baroque centre: Piazza XX Settembre, the heart of the opening events, Piazza Salandra with its famous Immaculate Spire, Piazza Sant'Antonio, Piazza Vescovato, and Largo Sambiasi. Some shows are free to enter, while others require a symbolic ticket, with subscription packages available for those wishing to attend multiple events throughout the days.
Nardò and Salento
Hosting Circonauta is an opportunity for Nardò to showcase its extraordinary Baroque historic centre—one of the most beautiful in Salento—and to establish itself as the summer capital of contemporary circus in Puglia. Located just a few kilometres from the beaches of the Nardò coast and Santa Maria al Bagno, the festival offers residents and tourists a unique cultural experience that combines art, performance, tradition, and conviviality in the heart of the Lecce province.
Circonauta — edition 2026
Circonauta 2026 — 12th edition, #Earth!
The twelfth edition of Circonauta will be held in Nardò on 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12 July 2026, with the theme #Earth!, an invitation to view urban space as a place for encounter, connection, and collective imagination. The inauguration is scheduled for Friday, 3 July, in Piazza XX Settembre, featuring institutional greetings, an aperitif, and the opening of a photographic exhibition dedicated to European circus families.
The programme brings together international companies and artists: among the announced headliners are Peter Shub (USA), Tomate (Argentina), PakiPaya and Trocos Lucos (Spain), Tsubasa Watanabe (Japan), Matteo Galbusera, Adriano Cangemi, the FLIC – Circus School of Turin, and many others, featuring clowning, aerial acrobatics, physical theatre, and visual comedy.
For the first time in Southern Italy, the festival will host the Trampolino Vetrina 2026 award, a national showcase dedicated to new Italian contemporary circus proposals, as well as a round-table discussion dedicated to the theme of earth and territory. The evening music section will accompany the nights in the Baroque centre of Nardò.
Programme Circonauta 2026
Programme and artists
Friday, 3 July — Piazza XX Settembre: from 7:00 PM, institutional greetings, aperitif, and inauguration of the photographic exhibition "Circus Love — The magical life of Europe's family circuses (part. 2)"; followed by the "Serenate" concert, fire show, and DJ set.
Artists and companies: Peter Shub (USA), Tomate — "Puro Tomate" (Argentina), PakiPaya — "Shake Shake Shake" (Spain), Trocos Lucos — "Tartana" (Spain), Adriano Cangemi — "Nagual", Matteo Galbusera — "The White Lord", Tsubasa Watanabe (Japan), Mr Copini, Ditta Polletti, Nanirossi & Mc Fois, FLIC – Circus School of Turin.
Disciplines: clowning, aerial acrobatics, Korean cradle, diabolo, physical theatre, street theatre, mime, live music, and visual comedy.
Special events: Trampolino Vetrina 2026 award (national showcase of the new Italian circus); round-table discussion on earth and territory; photographic exhibition open until 18 July; evening music section "I Canti delle Sirene e dei Tritoni".
Highlights Circonauta 2026
- #Earth! theme, the second chapter of the eco-conscious journey
- International artists from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Argentina, USA, and Japan
- Trampolino Vetrina 2026 award, hosted in Southern Italy for the first time
- Photographic exhibition on European circus families
- Free performances in Piazza Sant'Antonio and Piazza Salandra
Prices Circonauta 2026
Practical information — Circonauta
Getting there
Nardò is located in the province of Lecce, in the Salento region. By car, it can be reached via the SS101 Lecce-Gallipoli road; the Nardò Città railway station is served by Ferrovie del Sud Est. The nearest airports are Brindisi (Papola-Casale) and Bari.
Tickets
Many shows, particularly those in Piazza Sant'Antonio and Piazza Salandra, are free of charge. For paid performances, tickets cost approximately 5 euros (reduced 4 euros for children aged 6 to 12), with subscription packages for 2, 3, or 4 shows at a discounted rate. Advance tickets are available online via Liveticket.
Tips
The festival takes place outdoors in the historic centre: we recommend wearing comfortable clothing and arriving early for the most popular shows. The city offers plenty of restaurants, shops, and accommodation; the beaches of the Nardò coast are also nearby.
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Where does it take place — Circonauta
Centro storico di Nardò
Via Cesare Olivieri 5, 73048 Nardò