Moon Festival

A village turned into a candlelight theatre

The Moon Festival is one of the most evocative cultural events in the Turin area. For a few nights in September, the historic village of San Raffaele Alto, a hamlet of San Raffaele Cimena (Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont), switches off its standard lighting to be illuminated by candles, lanterns, and light installations. Every street, courtyard, and square becomes a stage, creating an intimate, magical atmosphere where the audience walks through the performance rather than watching from afar.

Theatre, performances, and scattered installations

The artistic program is proudly multidisciplinary: street theatre, performing arts, dance, contemporary circus, puppetry, site-specific installations, and interactive experiences are spread throughout the village. The castle, fully illuminated, serves as a backdrop visible from the entire surrounding area. The festival does not just host artists; it invites the community to build it through open calls for artists, volunteers, and creators of installations and workshops.

A free and participatory festival

The Moon Festival is free and accessible, designed to involve people of all ages and backgrounds with the goal of enhancing the territory and promoting an inclusive, sustainable, and shared vision of culture. Alongside the evening events, the Moon Lab takes place—an artistic residency that brings creators together for a few days of training, development, and group living, with the results showcased during the festival.

Organizers

The project is produced by the DN-Art Cultural Association, coordinated by the Pro Loco of San Raffaele Cimena, and supported by the Municipality of San Raffaele Cimena. The event is part of the town's wider weekend celebration, intertwining with the traditional Festa 'd San Rafè, which concludes the festivities with a food pavilion and popular gatherings.

2026 Edition: "Acts of Care"

The 2026 edition is scheduled from September 4th to 6th and revolves around the theme of Acts of Care: a guiding thread that invites artists and the community to reflect on caring for people, places, and relationships. As this festival is built through public participation, it is worth following the official channels for the release of the final program in the days leading up to the event.