TACT Festival
The international performing arts festival in the neighbourhoods
About TACT Festival
Performing arts take to the streets
The TACT Festival â International Festival of Young Theatre is organized by CUT, the University Theatre Centre of Trieste. Its aim is to bring theatre, contemporary circus, music, and visual arts out of conventional venues, directly into the streets, squares, and spaces of the city's neighbourhoods, with an international footprint and a strong community focus.
Between Barriera Vecchia and San Giacomo
The festival enlivens two of Trieste's most popular and distinctive neighbourhoods: Barriera Vecchia and San Giacomo. Squares, covered markets, villas, and public spaces become settings for theatre performances, contemporary dance, clowning, fire performances, concerts, and participatory workshops. A programme designed for all ages, blending artistic research with local roots.
A widespread and free festival
All events are free admission (donations welcome), in line with the spirit of a festival that aims to reach audiences where they live, breaking down the barriers between stage and neighbourhood. Creative workshops, family activities, and sharing moments make TACT a collective experience as well as an artistic one.
Theatre as a common good
Supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and local foundations, TACT is one of the most vibrant events of the Trieste summer: an urban laboratory where performing arts become a tool for social regeneration and rediscovery of the city's neighbourhoods.
TACT Festival â edition 2026
The 13th edition of the TACT Festival enlivens Trieste from June 19 to 28, 2026, spread across two neighbourhoods: from June 19 to 21 in San Giacomo (and the Hippodrome area), and from June 24 to 28 in Barriera Vecchia. Organized by the CUT University Theatre Centre, it offers theatre, contemporary circus, music, and visual arts in various urban spaces, with free admission.
Among the venues are Campo San Giacomo, Piazzale De Gasperi, Piazza Puecher, Piazza Garibaldi, the Covered Market, Largo Barriera, Piazza Perugino, and Villa Engelmann.
Programme TACT Festival 2026
Structure of the 13th edition (free admission, donations welcome):
- June 19â21 â San Giacomo / Hippodrome: opening with a children's theatre workshop and "Quijote!" by Teatro Nucleo; concerts, fire performances, and contemporary dance
- June 24â28 â Barriera Vecchia: theatre performances, clowning, funk concerts, workshops at the Covered Market ("Box dell'Arte", biodegradable balloon puppets)
- Special activities: immersive vocal experience curated by FĂŠ Avouglan, "Garibaldi Aggiustatutto" (collective repair workshops), family programming on Sundays
Venues: Campo San Giacomo, Piazzale De Gasperi, Piazza Puecher, Piazza Garibaldi, Mercato Coperto, Largo Barriera, Piazza Perugino, Villa Engelmann. Detailed programme on the festival's website.
Highlights TACT Festival 2026
Prices TACT Festival 2026
Practical information — TACT Festival
Getting there: The Barriera Vecchia and San Giacomo neighbourhoods are located a short distance from the centre of Trieste, reachable on foot or by public transport.
Admission: Free for all events (donations welcome).
Programme: Full schedule on the festival's and CUT Trieste's website.
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Where does it take place â TACT Festival
Rioni di Barriera Vecchia e San Giacomo