ROCKaFE – San Maurelio Feast
Live music, Ferrara food and solidarity in Malborghetto di Boara
About ROCKaFE
ROCKaFE, thirty years of emerging music in Ferrara
ROCKaFE is the musical heart of the Sagra di San Maurelio, the feast that enlivens Malborghetto di Boara every late spring, a hamlet of the Municipality of Ferrara, in Emilia-Romagna. The festival was born in 1993 within the feast dedicated to the patron saint of the Ferrarese diocese and over time has grown to become one of the most anticipated live music events in the area.
A showcase for emerging bands
The spirit of the festival remains the same: to offer a stage to young emerging bands, especially to the music that often finds no voice or space to be heard. This is the spirit that also drives the historic competition "Paolo Laccetti Memorial", which rewards the production of original songs and accompanies the winning groups towards their first studio recordings. Alongside the contest, the festival hosts concerts by more well-known bands and themed evenings, always with free admission.
Food, family and solidarity
ROCKaFE is not just music. The food stalls offer dishes of the Ferrara tradition, while for families there are rides, games and an area dedicated to children. The social and environmental commitment is also strong: the event collaborates with organizations such as Plastic Free, AVIS, Doctors Without Borders and Emergency, and increasingly focuses on the use of washable dishes and compostable materials to reduce plastic.
Where and when
The festival takes place in the charming park of the "F.lli Navarra" Foundation in Malborghetto di Boara, a few kilometers from the center of Ferrara. The organization is entrusted to the San Maurelio-Rockafe Committee, a non-profit volunteer association, with the support of Ferrara Tua and the Navarra Foundation. Admission to all evenings is completely free.
ROCKaFE — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of ROCKaFE, the thirtieth of the festival, enlivened the park of the "F.lli Navarra" Foundation in Malborghetto di Boara from May 22 to June 2, with twelve days of free live music.
The heart of the program was the "Paolo Laccetti Memorial" competition, dedicated to emerging bands, with the final on May 27. Alongside the music, food stalls with Ferrara dishes, rides for families, and the usual commitment to sustainability and solidarity, with partners like Plastic Free, AVIS, Doctors Without Borders, and Emergency.
Programme ROCKaFE 2026
"Paolo Laccetti Memorial" Contest – Final May 27
The five finalist bands of the 33rd edition of the competition dedicated to emerging groups:
- Il Tuo Subconscio
- Iron Punch
- Kaleidos
- Dark Rainbow
- Marina e Pavel
Winners
- ROCKaFE Trophy: Il Tuo Subconscio (prize: 3 days of studio time for recording, mixing, and mastering, plus a gift card from a music store)
- Second place: Iron Punch (production and recording services at Verdesound Studio)
- Audience Award: Dark Rainbow (five rehearsal sessions at Sonika studios)
The evenings
Free concerts every evening from 7:00 PM, with the opening of traditional Ferrara food stalls, rides, and a play area for children.
Highlights ROCKaFE 2026
Prices ROCKaFE 2026
Practical information — ROCKaFE
Where
Park of Villa "F.lli Navarra" (Navarra Foundation), Malborghetto di Boara, hamlet of Ferrara (Province of Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna).
How to get there
Malborghetto di Boara is located a few kilometers northeast of the center of Ferrara, reachable by car along the roads to Boara. Ample parking is available near the park.
Times and admission
Evenings generally start from 7:00 PM with the opening of the food stalls; concerts continue in the evening. Admission is completely free. The area is accessible to people with disabilities.
Food
Food stalls with dishes of the Ferrara tradition are open every evening of the event.
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Where does it take place — ROCKaFE
Parco della Fondazione Navarra
Parco della Villa "F.lli Navarra", Malborghetto di Boara, 44123 Ferrara