Kids in Festa

A square that becomes a playground

There is a day in Gualtieri when the grand Piazza Bentivoglio ceases to be one of Emilia-Romagna's most scenic Renaissance spaces for a few hours and transforms into an immense, child-friendly amusement park. It's the day of Ragazzi in Festa, the event organized by the Pro Loco of Gualtieri that fills the town's monumental square, in the heart of the Bassa Reggiana, with voices, laughter, and colors.

The idea is simple and successful: dedicate an entire afternoon, until evening, to children and their families, with a program of games, inflatables, entertainment, and many delicious corners spread out under the famous 69-arch porticoes that surround the square on three sides.

What to find at Ragazzi in Festa

The format is that of a big village festival designed for children and teenagers. Between running and playing, the space comes alive with:

• Inflatables and structures for jumping, sliding, and having fun safely;
• Games and entertainment for children of all ages;
• Food stalls and delicious corners, with snacks, sweets, and specialties for young and old;
• moments of music and entertainment that accompany the afternoon until evening.

Admission is free and open to all: a simple and carefree day that is also an opportunity to discover Gualtieri and its extraordinary square.

Gualtieri and its monumental square

Ragazzi in Festa takes place in a truly unique setting. Gualtieri, in the municipality of the same name in the Province of Reggio Emilia, is the village of the Bentivoglio family: its central square, commissioned at the end of the 16th century, measures one hundred meters per side and is surrounded by elegant porticoes, a masterpiece between the Renaissance and Baroque. On one side stands the Palazzo Bentivoglio, which today houses the museum dedicated to the naive painter Antonio Ligabue, a symbolic figure of this plain land overlooking the Po River.

Experiencing a children's festival here also means introducing the little ones, almost without them noticing, to one of the most beautiful places in Emilia-Romagna. This is the spirit with which the Pro Loco animates the town: promoting the territory through popular, open, and participatory events.