Mirabilia International Circus & Performing Arts Festival – Vernante On the Road stop
Contemporary circus and street arts arrive in the Pinocchio mural village in the Vermenagna Valley
About Mirabilia in Vernante
Mirabilia comes to Vernante
Among the nine stops of Mirabilia On the Road, the travelling and widespread version of the Mirabilia International Circus & Performing Arts Festival, is Vernante, a small town in the Vermenagna Valley in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont. On August 22 and 23, 2026, the village—known throughout Italy for its murals dedicated to Pinocchio, a tribute to the illustrator Attilio Mussino who lived here for many years—will turn into an open-air theatre amidst cobblestone streets, squares, and mountain vistas.
A widespread festival in the Cuneo area
Founded in 2007 and artistically directed by Fabrizio Gavosto for the IdeAgorà Cultural Association, Mirabilia is one of Europe's leading events for contemporary circus and performing arts. The 'On the Road' format brings acrobats, dancers, street actors, and new circus companies into the squares, courtyards, and natural landscapes of the Cuneo valleys, in a journey that in 2026 runs from July 3 to September 20, visiting Busca, Rittana, Savigliano, Pontechianale, Alba, Vernante, Chiusa di Pesio, Dogliani, and Carrù, before the heart of the festival in Cuneo.
The twentieth edition
2026 marks the twentieth anniversary of Mirabilia. The edition features 52 international companies from Portugal, Spain, the UK, Germany, Chile, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Denmark, for a total of 170 performances spread across over fifty locations. The programme includes 4 world premieres, 8 national premieres, and 16 regional debuts. The chosen theme is a line from the Spanish poet Antonio Machado, «Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar» (Traveller, there is no path, the path is made by walking), which perfectly captures the nomadic and itinerant spirit of the festival.
Circus, dance, and theatre for everyone
The Vernante stop offers shows designed for a wide audience: families, children, enthusiasts, and the simply curious. Aerial acrobatics, street theatre, contemporary dance, and urban performances will bring the historic centre to life, mostly free of charge and outdoors. It is a special way to discover this corner of the Vermenagna Valley through the lens of live art, in a continuous dialogue between international artists and the local community.
Mirabilia in Vernante — edition 2026
On August 22 and 23, 2026, Mirabilia stops in Vernante with its On the Road format, as part of the festival's twentieth edition. The streets and squares of the historic centre, amidst the famous Pinocchio murals, welcome international contemporary circus, street theatre, and dance companies.
The detailed programme for the Vernante stop, including show titles, times, and locations, will be announced by the organization in the weeks leading up to the event on the official website and the festival's social media channels.
Programme Mirabilia in Vernante 2026
The detailed programme for the Vernante stop (show titles, companies, times, and specific locations) has not yet been published and will be announced by the organization in the weeks leading up to the event.
Overall, the 2026 edition of the festival features 52 international companies with 170 performances, 4 world premieres, 8 national premieres, and 16 regional debuts. Among the companies announced in the general programme are Motionhouse (UK), Cie Pakipaya (Spain), Paula Quintas (Portugal/Spain), La Huella Teatro (Chile), and Abbondanza/Bertoni (Italy). The specific schedule for Vernante will be communicated later.
Highlights Mirabilia in Vernante 2026
The stop brings international contemporary circus to the Pinocchio mural village, with mostly free, family-friendly outdoor performances as part of Mirabilia's twentieth anniversary.
Prices Mirabilia in Vernante 2026
Practical information — Mirabilia in Vernante
How to get there
Vernante is located in the Vermenagna Valley, in the Province of Cuneo, along the road that climbs towards the Tende Pass. By car, it can be reached from Cuneo by following the SS20 towards Limone Piemonte and the French border (approx. 20 km). By train, the Cuneo-Ventimiglia line stops at Vernante station.
Tickets
Most of the shows during the 'On the Road' stop are free and held outdoors. For any ticketed events, we recommend checking the official website and the festival's social media channels, where the daily programme, times, and booking methods are published.
Tips
The shows take place in the streets and squares of the historic centre: arrive a little early for the most popular ones. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for cobblestones; take advantage of your visit to admire the famous Pinocchio murals that decorate the village houses.
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Where does it take place — Mirabilia in Vernante
Centro storico di Vernante