Galileo Festival of Science and Innovation
Padua, capital of science: three days of artificial intelligence, space economy, life sciences, and energy
About Galileo Festival
Science returns to Galileo's city
The Galileo Festival of Science and Innovation is held in Padua, and for good reason: it is the city where Galileo Galilei taught for almost twenty years and where the University, one of the oldest in the world, still houses the great scientist's chair. For three days, the historic center transforms into a large laboratory of ideas, with meetings, round tables, and in-depth discussions hosted in prestigious venues such as Palazzo Moroni, the Scuola della Carità, the Fondazione Cariparo, and the historic Caffè Pedrocchi.
The great themes of innovation
The program spans the hottest frontiers of contemporary research: artificial intelligence, space economy, life sciences, energy, and the environment. More than 150 guests, including scientists, managers, entrepreneurs, communicators, and institutional representatives, take turns on stage in a discussion open to the general public, making even the most complex topics accessible.
The Galileo Literary Prize
The highlight of the event is the ceremony for the Galileo Literary Prize for scientific dissemination, held at the Verdi Theater in Padua: one of the most important Italian awards dedicated to books that successfully communicate science. Organized by NEM with the patronage of the Municipality of Padua, the Galileo Festival confirms the deep bond between the Venetian city and scientific culture, on a journey spanning centuries of knowledge.
Galileo Festival — edition 2026
The Galileo Festival 2026, in its 14th edition, took place in Padua from May 8th to 10th, during a week that made the city the capital of science and innovation. The program featured meetings, round tables, and in-depth discussions on artificial intelligence, space economy, life sciences, energy, and the environment, with venues in the historic center including Palazzo Moroni, Scuola della Carità, Fondazione Cariparo, and Caffè Pedrocchi.
Concluding the event on Sunday, May 10th, was the ceremony for the XX Galileo Literary Prize for scientific dissemination at the Verdi Theater.
Programme Galileo Festival 2026
Friday, May 8 - Saturday, May 9
- Meetings, round tables, and in-depth discussions on artificial intelligence, space economy, life sciences, energy, and the environment, at venues in the historic center (Palazzo Moroni, Scuola della Carità, Fondazione Cariparo, Caffè Pedrocchi).
Among the over 150 guests
- Umberto Galimberti, Amalia Ercoli Finzi, Massimo Claudio Comparini, Roberto Battiston, Nello Cristianini, Giulia Monteleone, Francesco Profumo, Fabrizio Pregliasco, Alfio Quarteroni, Rosario Rizzuto, Tommaso Calarco, and many others.
Sunday, May 10 — Teatro Verdi
- XX Galileo Literary Prize for scientific dissemination, with the Scientific Jury chaired by Francesco Profumo and the finalist authors.
Full program at galileofestival.it.
Highlights Galileo Festival 2026
Prices Galileo Festival 2026
Practical information — Galileo Festival
Where
Venues in the historic center of Padua: Palazzo Moroni, Scuola della Carità, Fondazione Cariparo, Caffè Pedrocchi, and for the Award ceremony, the Teatro Verdi.
How to get there
The venues are in the heart of the city, accessible on foot and by public transport. Padua is well connected by train to the national network.
Admission
Many meetings are free, some require booking. Program and participation details on the official website.
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Where does it take place — Galileo Festival
Palazzo Moroni, Scuola della Carità, Caffè Pedrocchi, Teatro Verdi
Palazzo Moroni e sedi del centro storico, 35121 Padova