Estate Teatrale Veronese
Theatre under the stars of the Roman Theatre of Verona
About Estate Teatrale Veronese
A tradition spanning over seventy years
Established in 1948, the Estate Teatrale Veronese is one of Italy's longest-running and most prestigious summer theatre events. The heart of the festival is the Roman Theatre, an Augustan-era amphitheatre carved into the side of San Pietro hill, which hosts thousands of spectators under the stars every summer for prose, dance, and music performances.
The Shakespeare Festival
Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, is the natural home for a Shakespeare Festival that has staged the Bard's works for decades with Italian and international directors. It is the core identity of the event, complemented over the years by sections dedicated to contemporary dance, music, and great classics.
(H)Earth of Glass: the 78th edition
The 2026 edition marks a new chapter under the artistic direction of Fabrizio Arcuri, with the theme (H)Earth of Glass, placing the Earth at the centre as a symbol of solidity and fragility. The programme is divided into several sections: Planet Shakespeare, Galaxies (the big evenings), Polaris (the classics), Bodies in Revolution (international dance), Stellar Frequencies (Musical Contaminations), Constellazioni and Nuove Orbite for young playwrights.
Verona, an open-air stage
The event extends beyond the Roman Theatre, transforming the entire city of Verona into a widespread performance space with travelling projects and installations. An unmissable event of the Veronese summer, capable of attracting audiences from all over Italy and abroad to the city, in Veneto.
Estate Teatrale Veronese — edition 2026
From June 25 to September 18, 2026, the 78th Estate Teatrale Veronese takes place mainly at the Roman Theatre, under the artistic direction of Fabrizio Arcuri. The theme (H)Earth of Glass continues the path dedicated to natural elements, choosing Earth as the symbolic axis. The programme combines the Shakespeare Festival (Planet Shakespeare), the great evenings (Galaxies), the classics (Polaris), international contemporary dance (Bodies in Revolution), Musical Contaminations (Stellar Frequencies), and projects spread throughout the city.
Programme Estate Teatrale Veronese 2026
Planet Shakespeare — Shakespeare Festival
- June 25-26 — I due gentiluomini di Verona, directed by Declan Donnellan (Italian premiere)
- July 6-16 — Carta Carbone, Roberto Latini (sonnets, one spectator at a time)
- July 9-10 — Tito Andronico, directed by Davide Sacco, with Francesco Montanari
- July 16-19 — Midsummer, Casa Shakespeare
- September 1 — Romeo e Giulietta in the War, Stefano Massini with the Orchestra Multietnica di Arezzo
- September 3 — Rex Destruens, Re Lear, Massimo Cacciari
- September 5-6 — Ofelia, Luca Giacomoni with Giulia Quacqueri
- September 10-11 — Amleto², Filippo Timi and Marina Rocco
- September 12 — Brain Storm - Tempesta in testa, Frank Heuel
Galaxies — Grand Soirées
- June 28 — Padre Cicogna by Eduardo De Filippo, with Toni Servillo (national premiere)
- July 3 — Otello, di precise parole si vive, Gabriele Vacis with Lella Costa
Polaris — Classics
- June 26-28 — Incendi, Wajdi Mouawad
- June 29 - July 2 — Ecuba. La guerra sulle madri, Isabella Caserta
- September 17-18 — Alcesti by Euripides, directed by Filippo Dini
Bodies in Revolution — International Dance
- July 14-15 — Diptych, Peeping Tom (Belgium)
- July 20-21 — The Infinite Approach, Yoann Bourgeois (France)
- July 27 - August 8 — Botanica - Season 2, MOMIX (USA)
Stellar Frequencies — Musical Contaminations
Among the announced artists: Paolo Fresu, White Lies, Nicolò Fabi, Dulce Pontes, Simona Molinari, Johnny Marr, Daniele Silvestri, Joan Thiele, Coez, Quinteto Astor Piazzolla.
Nuove Orbite and Constellazioni
Projects spread throughout the city (Little Fun Palace, The Walks by Rimini Protokoll, Overtourism, Attraversamenti) and new dramaturgies curated by young authors.
Highlights Estate Teatrale Veronese 2026
Prices Estate Teatrale Veronese 2026
Practical information — Estate Teatrale Veronese
How to get there
The Roman Theatre is located in Via Redentore, a short walk from Ponte Pietra and the historic centre of Verona. Verona Porta Nuova station is connected to the theatre by city buses; it is recommended to reach the centre on foot.
Tickets
On sale at Box Office Verona and online at Boxol.it. Early Bird rates are available in the first weeks of pre-sale.
Tip
Performances are held outdoors: bring a light jacket for cooler evenings.
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Where does it take place — Estate Teatrale Veronese
Teatro Romano
Via Redentore 2, 37121 Verona