Raggiolo Festival
Open-air theatre in the heart of the Casentino
About Raggiolo Festival
An open-air theatre in the heart of the Casentino
The Raggiolo Festival is an open-air theatre series that brings summer to life in Raggiolo, a stunning medieval village nestled among the chestnut forests of the Casentino, in the municipality of Ortignano Raggiolo in the province of Arezzo. For several weeks, the paved squares, stone alleys, and clearings surrounding the village become a natural stage for evening performances that weave together comedy, drama, music, and storytelling.
The village as a stage
The heart of the festival is the charming Piazza San Michele, where every year the audience gathers under the starry sky to enjoy the performances. The choice of locations is intentional: plays and readings also take place in the Sant'Angelo clearing, along the Mercatella River Park, and in the most picturesque corners of the village, creating a route that makes the town itself the true protagonist. It is this fusion of historical heritage and live performance that makes the Raggiolo Festival an experience far beyond a simple theatre season.
A community-driven event
The festival is organized by the Brigata di Raggiolo, an association that has been preserving and promoting the village's traditions for decades, in collaboration with the Municipality of Ortignano Raggiolo and with the support of the Fondazione Toscana Spettacolo. The event is part of the enhancement projects funded by the PNRR under the M1C3 line dedicated to the Attractiveness of Historic Villages, a recognition that testifies to the cultural value of this initiative for the entire Casentino territory.
More than just a theatre festival
The Raggiolo Festival is the cornerstone of a broader summer programme that accompanies the village from June through September, featuring family shows, workshops, book presentations, dinners in the square, music, and an open-air cinema series. It is a proposal designed for all ages, capable of attracting visitors, theatre enthusiasts, and families to this small Casentino village, all in search of unique evenings immersed in nature and the authentic atmosphere of the most genuine Tuscany.
Raggiolo Festival — edition 2026
Raggiolo Festival 2026
The 2026 edition of the Raggiolo Festival opens on Friday, June 19 at 9:00 PM in Piazza San Michele, in the village of Raggiolo (Municipality of Ortignano Raggiolo, province of Arezzo). The festival returns to turn the village into an open-air theatre, as part of the summer season curated by the Brigata di Raggiolo with the Municipality and the Fondazione Toscana Spettacolo.
Opening show
Inaugurating the series is "Bruna è la notte", featuring actor Alessandro Riccio and musician Alberto Becucci (a Tedavì '98 production): a show that, through words and songs, alternates moments of comedy with dramatic and melancholic stories. Before the show, starting at 7:00 PM, an apericena is available by reservation, organized by the Brigata di Raggiolo (tel. +39 379 2788274).
Programme Raggiolo Festival 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026 — Opening
- 19:00 — Apericena in the village organized by the Brigata di Raggiolo (by reservation, tel. +39 379 2788274)
- 21:00 — "Bruna è la notte" with Alessandro Riccio (actor) and Alberto Becucci (musician), Tedavì '98 production — Piazza San Michele
The complete programme for the summer of 2026, including further theatrical performances, musical evenings, and the open-air cinema series, will be announced in the following weeks on the Brigata di Raggiolo channels. In previous years, the schedule has extended from June until the end of September.
Highlights Raggiolo Festival 2026
Prices Raggiolo Festival 2026
Practical information — Raggiolo Festival
How to get there
Raggiolo can be reached by car from the Casentino valley floor: from Arezzo, follow the SR71 towards Casentino, then follow signs for Ortignano Raggiolo. The village is approximately 50 km from Arezzo. The nearest train station is Bibbiena, on the Casentinese Railway (TFT) line connecting Arezzo to Stia.
Performances and bookings
Performances generally take place in the evening, starting around 9:00 PM, in Piazza San Michele and other locations within the village. On several evenings, an apericena (pre-dinner drinks and snacks) is available by reservation, organized by the Brigata di Raggiolo (tel. +39 379 2788274). It is recommended to check the updated programme and ticket information on the Brigata di Raggiolo channels before travelling.
Tips
The village is located in the hills, and summer evenings can be cool: bring a light jacket. For those wishing to fully experience the Casentino, the area offers numerous accommodation options between Bibbiena, Poppi, and the surrounding villages.
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Where does it take place — Raggiolo Festival
Piazza San Michele
Piazza San Michele, 52010 Ortignano Raggiolo