Plautus Festival
The Classical Theatre Festival in Sarsina, Plautus's birthplace
About Plautus Festival
The Plautus Festival, guardian of ancient theatre
The Plautus Festival is one of the longest-running classical theatre festivals in Italy. Founded in 1956 in the Municipality of Sarsina, in the Province of Forlì-Cesena (Emilia-Romagna), the festival celebrates every summer the memory of Titus Maccius Plautus, the great Latin playwright who was born here, in the ancient Roman town of Sassina, around 250 BC. For two months, between July and August, this village in the Tuscan-Romagnol Apennines becomes a reference point for lovers of Plautine comedy, Greek tragedy, and quality prose.
Two venues, two souls
The performances are divided between two complementary settings. The Arena Plautina, a modern amphitheater in the Calbano area inaugurated in the 1990s with over a thousand numbered seats, hosts the main titles of the program: Plautus's comedies, classical tragedies, and musical tributes. The more intimate Piazzetta Lucio Pisone, in the heart of the historic center, hosts more intimate productions, stories, and experimental performances, in constant dialogue between great tradition and new stage languages.
Not just Plautus
Alongside the evening performances, the festival offers a rich program of collateral activities: the Ludi Plautini Sarsinates, in-depth studies on Plautus's works, theatre workshops, and, on the initial weekends, the Roman Festival, with re-enactments, markets, and parades that bring the atmosphere of ancient Sassina back to life. The Plautus Festival is also the only festival in Italy to offer audio description of performances for blind and visually impaired audiences, a service that underscores its inclusive vocation.
An event rooted in the territory
Organized by the Municipality of Sarsina with the support of local sponsors and the Art Bonus campaign, the festival is now a cultural institution of Emilia-Romagna and the Savio Valley. Reaching Sarsina and attending an evening at the Arena Plautina, with the Apennine hills in the background and Plautus's verses echoing in the air, is an experience that combines the power of ancient theatre with the charm of an authentic village.
Plautus Festival — edition 2026
The 66th edition of the Plautus Festival takes place in Sarsina from July 5 to August 18, 2026, featuring fourteen events that blend the tradition of ancient theatre with great contemporary prose. The Arena Plautina hosts the main productions, including the Plautine comedies Casina and Truculentus, the tragedies Antigone and Phaedra, Molière's famous The Imaginary Invalid, and the highly anticipated tribute to Ennio Morricone entrusted to the trumpet of Nello Salza. The Piazzetta Lucio Pisone, on the other hand, welcomes more intimate productions and stage stories. The audio description for blind audiences, a unique service in Italy, is confirmed again for 2026.
Programme Plautus Festival 2026
July 2026 — Piazzetta Lucio Pisone (9:15 PM)
- July 5 — Uomo Solo in Fila
- July 8 — Novecento
- July 10 — Fiabel
- July 11 — Racconti Non Narrati
- July 22 — Arlecchino Svelato
- July 25 — Processo a Pandora
- July 28 — Penelope vs Ulisse
July-August 2026 — Arena Plautina (9:15 PM)
- July 14 — Nello Salza: Omaggio a Morricone
- July 30 — Casina (after Plautus)
- August 4 — Il Malato Immaginario
- August 9 — Scaramuccia
- August 11 — Truculentus (after Plautus)
- August 13 — Antigone, Cronache da un Teatro di Guerra
- August 18 — Fedra
All performances start at 9:15 PM. The program is published on the official website plautusfestival.it.
Highlights Plautus Festival 2026
Among the most anticipated moments: the tribute to Ennio Morricone with the trumpet of Nello Salza (July 14), the two Plautine comedies Casina (July 30) and Truculentus (August 11), and the great classical tragedies Antigone (August 13) and Phaedra (August 18) at the Arena Plautina.
Prices Plautus Festival 2026
Practical information — Plautus Festival
How to get there
Sarsina is located in the Savio Valley, in the Province of Forlì-Cesena. By car, it is accessible from the E45 (Sarsina exit), about 40 minutes from Cesena. By train, Sarsina station is on the Cesena-Rome line. The Arena Plautina is located at Loc. Calbano 42, about 1 km from the center: on performance evenings, a free shuttle service operates from Piazza Plauto starting at 8:00 PM.
Tickets
Box office at the Tourist Information Office (UIT), Via IV Novembre 13. Online presale on VivaTicket. Direct sales at the Arena from 8:00 PM on performance evenings. Info and reservations: +39 0547 698102 — [email protected].
Times
Performances start at 9:15 PM.
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Where does it take place — Plautus Festival
Arena Plautina
Loc. Calbano, 42, 47027 Sarsina