Clown&Clown Festival
The International Festival of Clowning and Clown Therapy in the City of Smiles
About Clown&Clown
A Village That Becomes the City of Smiles
The Clown&Clown Festival is one of the most recognizable events in the Marche region dedicated to circus arts and laughter. It takes place in Monte San Giusto, a hilltop village in the Province of Macerata, in the heart of Marche, which for the occasion renames itself the City of Smiles: the facades, doors, and views of the historic centre are decorated with the theme, and a giant red nose even appears on the bell tower. It is a metamorphosis that involves the entire town and its inhabitants.
Clowning, Contemporary Circus, and Street Theatre
The event, subtitled International Festival of Clowning and Clown Therapy, brings street artists, jugglers, acrobats, circus performers, musicians, magicians, and clown doctors to the squares, alongside national and international guests of note. The program alternates between street performances, major evening events, concerts, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, and book presentations, in a packed schedule that animates the village from morning until late at night.
A Festival with a Social Soul
What sets the Clown&Clown Festival apart is its solidarity dimension: alongside the artistic component, the festival develops clown therapy projects and training courses for schools, nursing homes, socio-health facilities, and third-sector organizations. In recent editions, the event has collaborated with ANFFAS Macerata for the inclusion of people with disabilities, with the Anni Azzurri nursing home in Montecosaro, and with the Paediatrics department of the Macerata hospital through the clown doctors project. It is no coincidence that the festival awards the Il Clown nel Cuore (The Clown in the Heart) prize each year, recognizing those who have brought smiles beyond the stage.
The Takimiri Prize and Clown Factor
The competitive heart of the festival is the Takimiri Prize "a life for the circus", dedicated to the historic Takimiri clown family, combined with the Clown Factor contest for emerging artists in contemporary circus and clowning. After a selection process, the finalists compete live before a jury of experts and the public, culminating in the announcement of the winner.
The Origins
The festival was born in 2005 from an idea by Mabò Band and is today organized by Ente Clown&Clown APS. In two decades, it has become a benchmark for clown art in Italy, capable of uniting quality entertainment, training, and social commitment in one grand village event.
Clown&Clown — edition 2026
The 22nd edition of the Clown&Clown Festival returns to Monte San Giusto from October 1st to 4th, 2026, transforming the village into the City of Smiles once again.
At present, the competition structure of the event is confirmed: the Clown Factor 2026 contest features live performances by the finalists on October 1st and 2nd, with the final of the XVI Takimiri Prize "a life for the circus" on October 3rd, before a jury of experts and the public. Applications for the contest, aimed at emerging artists in contemporary circus and clowning, are open until June 30th, 2026.
As tradition dictates, alongside the competition, the festival will offer clowning, contemporary circus, and street theatre shows, major public events, concerts, workshops, conferences, and clown therapy projects. The detailed program with artists and schedules will be published on the official website clowneclown.org in the weeks leading up to the event.
Programme Clown&Clown 2026
The complete artistic program for the 2026 edition (artists, street performances, concerts, and workshops) will be announced by the organization in the weeks preceding the event. The competition stages are already defined:
- October 1-2 — Clown Factor 2026: live performances by the finalists of the contest dedicated to emerging artists in contemporary circus and clowning.
- October 3 — Final of the XVI Takimiri Prize "a life for the circus" with the announcement of the winner before a jury of experts and the public.
- October 4 — Closing day with performances, public events, and awards ceremony in the City of Smiles.
Applications for the Clown Factor are open until June 30th, 2026 via the online form on clowneclown.org or at the address [email protected].
Highlights Clown&Clown 2026
- XVI Takimiri Prize "a life for the circus" and Clown Factor 2026 contest for emerging artists.
- The village of Monte San Giusto transformed into the City of Smiles.
- Clowning, contemporary circus, and street theatre performances, with clown therapy projects.
Prices Clown&Clown 2026
Practical information — Clown&Clown
How to Get Here
Monte San Giusto is located in the hinterland of the Province of Macerata. By car, it can be reached from the SS77 della Val di Chienti, exit for Corridonia/Monte San Giusto; by train, the reference station is Civitanova Marche-Montegranaro on the Adriatic line, from which you continue by bus or car to the village. The nearest airport is Ancona-Falconara.
Tickets
Many street performances are free to enter; some evening events, shows at the Pala Cirkus, and workshops are ticketed, with tickets and passes available on-site or online. Prices and methods will be published on the official website clowneclown.org closer to the event.
Tips
It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes for walking through the historic centre and to arrive early on key days. For those staying overnight, accommodation options extend to nearby coastal municipalities (Civitanova Marche) and the Macerata hinterland.
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Where does it take place — Clown&Clown
Centro storico (Città del Sorriso)