Festival of the Tricolour
The city where the first Italian Tricolour was born celebrates its flag every January 7th
About Festival of the Tricolour
The city of the first Tricolour
On January 7, 1797, in the Sala del Tricolore of the Palazzo Comunale in Reggio Emilia, the Cispadane Congress first adopted the vertical green, white, and red banner as the official flag. From that gesture, the Italian flag we know today was born, and from that place, Reggio Emilia derives its title "City of the Tricolour". Every year, on the same day, the city in Emilia-Romagna renews this memory with the Festival of the Tricolour, its most important civic celebration.
A day of institutional celebrations
The festival opens in the morning in Piazza Prampolini, the monumental heart of the city, with the ringing of the Civic Bell, military honours, the flag-raising ceremony, and the performance of the National Anthem in the presence of the highest civil and military authorities. In the historic Sala del Tricolore, where it all began, the ceremony of conferring Italian citizenship to new citizens and the presentation of the Constitution to Reggio students takes place.
The highlight is held at the Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli, with speeches by the Mayor, the President of the Province of Reggio Emilia, and the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, followed by a lectio magistralis entrusted over the years to great names in Italian culture, and high-level musical and dance performances.
Museums, concerts, and widespread initiatives
The day does not end with official ceremonies. The Museum of the Tricolour, in Piazza Casotti, opens its doors for free with guided tours, workshops for children, and animated theatrical visits. In the afternoon and evening, there are concerts, conferences-shows dedicated to the Constitution, and musical celebrations in some of the city's symbolic locations, from the Centro Sociale Tricolore to the Teatro Ariosto.
A national symbol, a Reggio festival
Guarding the flag that unites Italy is a source of pride for Reggio Emilia and for all of Emilia-Romagna. The Festival of the Tricolour is not just a local commemoration: it is an event of national importance, often accompanied by messages from the President of the Republic and followed live by the media. For those visiting the city in January, it is the perfect opportunity to discover the historic centre, the Civic Museums, and the history of the Italian Risorgimento right where it began.
Festival of the Tricolour — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Festival of the Tricolour marked the 229th anniversary of the birth of the Italian flag in Reggio Emilia. The celebrations opened on Wednesday, January 7th, in Piazza Prampolini and continued with a calendar of initiatives at the Civic Museums until Saturday, January 10th. The edition was enhanced by the passage of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch through the city on January 8th, with a large public event dedicated to it.
Programme Festival of the Tricolour 2026
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 — 229th Anniversary
- 9:45 AM — Piazza Prampolini: ringing of the Civic Bell, opening ceremony with military honours, flag-raising, and National Anthem, in the presence of civil and military authorities (joint forces company coordinated by the "Emilia-Romagna" Army Military Command).
- 10:15 AM — Sala del Tricolore: Mayor Marco Massari presents the Constitution to four new Italian citizens.
- 11:15 AM — Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli: speeches by Mayor Marco Massari, President of the Province Giorgio Zanni, and the Emilia-Romagna Region; lectio magistralis by Corrado Augias titled "Noi italiani, chi siamo?" (We Italians, who are we?), followed by the performance "Rhapsody in Blue" by Aterballetto. Free tickets (sold out on Eventbrite).
- 3:30 PM — Centro Sociale Tricolore (via Agosti 6): Tricolour Concert promoted by Odilio Buzzoni.
- 5:00 PM — Museo del Tricolore: guided tour by Lions Club International (free).
- 6:00 PM — Sala del Tricolore: conference-show "Di sana e robusta Costituzione" (Of healthy and robust Constitution).
- 8:30 PM — Teatro Ariosto: musical celebrations with the baroque ensemble "Astorre Ferrari" from the Conservatory of Reggio Emilia and Castelnovo Monti.
Thursday, January 8, 2026 — Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch
- From 3:00 PM — Piazza Prampolini: celebration with giant screens, music, and interviews with athletes from Reggio awaiting the Olympic Torch.
- 3:30 PM: arrival of the torch procession in the historic centre from Porta San Pietro; approximately 20 torchbearers along a 4 km route (via Calderini, Piazza San Prospero, via Toschi, Piazza Fontanesi, Corso Garibaldi, via Farini).
- 4:00 PM: arrival of the Torch in Piazza Prampolini, with the "Città del Tricolore" Philharmonic, 200 students, and 200 local athletes welcoming the cauldron.
Until Saturday, January 10 — Museo del Tricolore
- Saturday, January 10, 4:00 PM/5:00 PM/6:00 PM: "Mirabili stanze" (Wondrous rooms), theatrical visits by Teatro del Cigno (by reservation).
- Saturday, January 10, 4:30 PM: "Colori che parlano, bandiere che volano" (Colours that speak, flags that fly), workshop for children aged 5-9 (by reservation).
Highlights Festival of the Tricolour 2026
- Institutional ceremony and flag-raising in Piazza Prampolini for the 229th anniversary.
- Lectio magistralis by Corrado Augias "We Italians, who are we?" at the Valli Theatre with Aterballetto.
- Passage of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch through the city on January 8th.
- Free opening of the Museum of the Tricolour with theatrical visits and workshops for children.
Prices Festival of the Tricolour 2026
Practical information — Festival of the Tricolour
When
Every year on January 7th, with related initiatives on the following days.
Where
Piazza Prampolini, Sala del Tricolore (Palazzo Comunale), Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli, Museo del Tricolore (Piazza Casotti 1), Reggio Emilia.
How to get there
By train: Reggio Emilia station is a short walk from the historic centre; the Mediopadana high-speed station is connected to the centre by shuttle bus. By car: take the Reggio Emilia exit from the A1 motorway, then park near the centre.
Costs
Ceremonies and admission to the Museum of the Tricolour are free. For the lecture at the Valli Theatre, free tickets must be collected in advance (online), and they often sell out quickly.
Information
Civic Museums: tel. +39 0522 456816 — [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Festival of the Tricolour
Piazza Prampolini e Sala del Tricolore
Piazza Prampolini, 42121 Reggio nell'Emilia