Into the Blue – Sea Life Fest
The sea festival of Fondazione Cetacea between Riccione and Rimini
About Sea Life Fest
A festival dedicated to the sea and its biodiversity
In the heart of the Riviera, in Riccione (Province of Rimini, Emilia-Romagna), Into the Blue – Sea Life Fest returns, the festival conceived and organized by Fondazione Cetacea, the association that for decades has managed the renowned Turtle Hospital and the recovery center for Adriatic marine fauna in Riccione. For ten days, the festival transforms the squares and promenades between Riccione and Rimini into a large, widespread laboratory where science, art, cinema, and environmental commitment meet to tell the story of the sea and its inhabitants.
The theme: Coexistences
Each edition revolves around a theme. The chosen one is Coexistences, an invitation to recognize the deep connections that unite all forms of life and to rethink our relationship with the sea and the protection of ecosystems. From marine microbial biodiversity to the great cetaceans of the Mediterranean, from the Caretta caretta turtles nesting on the Romagna beaches to living fossils, the festival guides the public on a journey that intertwines research, dissemination, and collective responsibility.
A program for everyone
The festival is designed for a wide audience: citizens, tourists, families, associations, researchers, and institutions. Among the characteristic events:
- Conferences and round tables with scientists and researchers, often held in Piazzale Ceccarini under the stars;
- Documentaries and screenings dedicated to the sea and its fragility;
- Immersive performances and flash mobs that blend art, sound, and nature;
- Workshops for children and educational activities to discover marine life;
- Courses for volunteers at the turtle recovery center and citizen science sessions;
- Book presentations at the Club Nautico Riccione.
The festival venues
The pulsating heart of the event is Piazzale Ceccarini, Riccione's main square, the headquarters of Fondazione Cetacea at viale Canova 13 with its Turtle Hospital, and the Club Nautico Riccione. The festival also extends to nearby Rimini, embracing the entire coast. Admission to all events is free, confirming the event's educational and inclusive mission.
Why it's worth it
Into the Blue – Sea Life Fest is not just a calendar of events; it's the moment when Fondazione Cetacea's research leaves the labs and meets the city. For those spending their summer on the Romagna Riviera, it's the perfect opportunity to experience Riccione from a different perspective, discovering that behind the beach and entertainment lies a sea rich with life to be known and protected.
Sea Life Fest — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Into the Blue – Sea Life Fest takes place from June 5 to 14, 2026 between Riccione and Rimini, centered around the theme Coexistences. The Riccione program opens on Friday, June 5, in Piazzale Ceccarini and closes on Saturday, June 13, with events spread between the Fondazione Cetacea headquarters and the Club Nautico Riccione. All events are free admission.
Programme Sea Life Fest 2026
Friday, June 5 — Piazzale Ceccarini
- 8:30 PM — Inaugural conference with Marco Candela (University of Bologna) on the hidden potential of marine microbial biodiversity.
- 9:30 PM — Different Waves, an immersive performance created with sounds recorded along the Adriatic coast.
Saturday, June 6 — Fondazione Cetacea (viale Canova 13)
- 3:00 PM — Course to become a volunteer at the marine turtle recovery center and meeting on the identification and protection of nests.
Sunday, June 7 — Piazzale Ceccarini
- 8:30 PM — Meeting on the relationship between humans and dolphins in the Mediterranean, followed by a screening of the documentary A Very Small Sea.
Monday, June 8 — Fondazione Cetacea
- 6:30 PM — Sisif is a turtle's shell, a performance action and flash mob by eco-activist and performer Alina Tofan on the fragility of marine ecosystems.
Tuesday, June 9 — Club Nautico Riccione (viale D'Annunzio 4)
- 8:45 PM — Meeting Evolution and Extinction: The Fates of Species, with book presentations dedicated to the theme.
Wednesday, June 10 — Fondazione Cetacea
- 3:00 PM — The Treasure Hunt of Living Fossils, workshop for children (ages 7+).
- 9:00 PM — Walk Between Nature and Art, a guided sunset tour with a final performance.
Friday, June 12 — Club Nautico Riccione
- 8:45 PM — Presentation of a book dedicated to women in Italian fishing.
Saturday, June 13 — Piazzale Ceccarini
- 9:00 PM — Voices of the Mediterranean, concluding meeting with representatives from Fondazione Cetacea, Sea Shepherd Italia, and ethologist Margherita Paiano, followed by a musical performance by Corally.
The festival also continues with events in nearby Rimini. The complete program and any necessary reservations are published on the Fondazione Cetacea website and Facebook page.
Highlights Sea Life Fest 2026
- Inaugural conference on marine microbial biodiversity with Marco Candela (University of Bologna).
- Documentary A Very Small Sea about Mediterranean dolphins.
- Immersive performance Different Waves with sounds of the Adriatic.
- Concluding meeting Voices of the Mediterranean with Sea Shepherd Italia and a performance by Corally.
Prices Sea Life Fest 2026
Practical information — Sea Life Fest
How to get there
Riccione is easily reachable by train (train station on the Bologna–Ancona Adriatic line, a few minutes from the center) and by car via the A14 motorway, Riccione exit. The nearest airport is Federico Fellini Airport in Rimini.
Main venues
- Piazzale Ceccarini, 47838 Riccione (RN)
- Fondazione Cetacea, viale Canova 13, Riccione
- Club Nautico Riccione, viale D'Annunzio 4, Riccione
Admission
All events are free. For some activities (workshops, volunteer courses, performances), booking may be required through the official event calendar.
Information
Program and updates on the Fondazione Cetacea website and Facebook page.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Sea Life Fest
Piazzale Ceccarini
Piazzale Ceccarini 11, 47838 Riccione