Sannita Teatro Festival
Theatre and music in the evocative Sannitic Theatre of Pietrabbondante
About Sannita Teatro Festival
The oldest theatre comes back to life
The Sannita Teatro Festival is the major summer event that enlivens the Sannitic Theatre in Pietrabbondante, a village in upper Molise in the province of Isernia. The festival stages theatrical performances and concerts within the Samnite archaeological area, in the locality of Calcatello, where a pre-Roman theatre with its ancient stone seats overlooks a natural terrace opening onto the vast Molise landscape, at an altitude of about a thousand meters.
A history of over forty years
Founded in the 1970s, the festival has surpassed its fortieth edition, establishing itself as one of the region's longest-running and most distinctive cultural events. The artistic direction selects a programme that alternates classics — from Plautus to Eduardo De Filippo — with contemporary theatre and experimental productions, often featuring nationally renowned actors and companies.
Theatre at a thousand meters
The experience of the Sannita Teatro Festival is inseparable from its location: attending a performance seated on the tiers of the Samnite theatre, under the starry sky of upper Molise, is what makes the event unique. Supported by the Molise Region and cultural partners in the area, the festival combines archaeological heritage with performing arts, enhancing one of the most important sites of Samnite civilization.
Sannita Teatro Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Samnite Theatre Festival brings theatre and music to Pietrabbondante, set between the Samnite Theatre in the archaeological area and the village center. A highlight among the confirmed events is the I Nomadi concert, taking place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 9:30 PM in Piazza Vittorio Veneto. This free admission evening is organized by the Associazione Pietrabbondante nel cuore and features the legendary Italian band performing in the heart of the town, marking one of the most anticipated nights of the Molise summer.
The full calendar of theatrical performances at the Samnite Theatre has not yet been released; it will be published by the artistic direction and on the festival's official channels in the weeks leading up to summer. We will update it as soon as it becomes available.
Programme Sannita Teatro Festival 2026
2026 Program (confirmed events):
- Thursday, August 6, 9:30 PM — I Nomadi in concert at Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Pietrabbondante. Free admission (organized by the Associazione Pietrabbondante nel cuore)
- Tuesday, August 11, 7:00 PM — Uccio De Santis in "Non so che fare prima", with Antonella Genga, Umberto Sardella, and Giacinto Lucariello, at the Samnite Theatre ("Teatro a mille metri" festival)
- Thursday, August 13, 7:00 PM — "Cornuti & Contenti", a comedy show with Marco Lanzuise and Luciano Salvetti (featuring Angela Russo, Peppe Miccio, Marilù Armani, Mario Arienzo; directed by Marco Lanzuise), at the Samnite Theatre
Advance tickets for theatre performances are available on Ciaotickets. Events organized in collaboration with ACI Molise.
Highlights Sannita Teatro Festival 2026
Prices Sannita Teatro Festival 2026
Practical information — Sannita Teatro Festival
When
In summer, between July and August.
Where
Sannitic Theatre, Pietrabbondante archaeological area (IS), Calcatello locality.
How to get there
By car from Isernia towards upper Molise; the site is accessible by road. Evening clothing is recommended for the high altitude. Tickets and admission prices vary per performance; some events are free.
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Where does it take place — Sannita Teatro Festival
Teatro Sannitico (area archeologica di Pietrabbondante)
Località Calcatello, 86085 Pietrabbondante