Sul Filo del Circo International Festival

Italy's longest-running contemporary circus festival

The Sul Filo del Circo International Festival is one of the most beloved events in the Italian and European circus arts scene. Established in the early 2000s, it is recognized as Italy's longest-running contemporary circus festival and takes place in Grugliasco, in the Province of Turin, in the heart of Piedmont. The 24th edition runs from June 13 to July 5, 2026, within the Parco Culturale Le Serre (Via Tiziano Lanza 31), home to the Cirque Lili and the Chapiteau Vertigo.

An international crossroads for artists

The festival is organized by the blucinQue Nice National Production Center under the artistic direction of Paolo Stratta, in collaboration with the Cirko Vertigo Foundation, the Piemonte dal Vivo Foundation, and the European FEDEC network. Each year, the festival brings together over 50 artists from across the globe: in 2026, performers arrive from eleven different countries, including Italy, Austria, Guatemala, Spain, Chile, Uruguay, France, Portugal, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Argentina. The event also highlights young talent from over twenty international schools affiliated with FEDEC, selected through an open call.

The 2026 Program

The lineup features a mix of big-top shows, aerial acrobatics, tightrope walking, clowning, and physical theater:

• June 13-14 — "Tutti in valigia" by Luigi Ciotta, blending physical theater and clowning, opening the festival
• June 20 — "Miraggio" by Duo Sisu and "Batman non vola" by Andrea Loreni
• June 21 — "Manoviva" by Girovago e Rondella – Teatri Mobili
• June 26 — "Quello che rimane nell'aria" by the Cirko Vertigo Academy
• June 27-28 — FEDEC Lili Cabaret, featuring young students from European schools
• June 28-29 — "Cose a caso" by Andrea Speranza
• June 30 — "Magari ci fosse il sole" by the Cirko Vertigo Academy, directed by Jérôme Thomas
• July 1-2 — "3Clowns" by the French company Les Bleus de travail
• July 4-5 — "Pasto" by the Instituto Nacional de Artes do Circo (Portugal) and FEDEC Soar Cabaret

Atmosphere and Territory

For nearly a month, the Parco Le Serre in Grugliasco becomes a circus village where families, enthusiasts, and curious visitors gather among the big tops, green spaces, and refreshment areas. The festival has always prioritized sustainability, utilizing low-impact set designs and installations. The event is supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Piedmont Region, the City of Grugliasco, the Fondazione CRT, and the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, cementing its role as a premier cultural landmark for the Turin metropolitan area and all of Piedmont.