Terra e Laghi Festival
The international theatre festival of Insubria stops in Baveno, on Lake Maggiore
About Terra e Laghi
A theatre festival that unites the lakes
The Terra e Laghi Festival is one of the longest-running and most ambitious touring theatre festivals in Northern Italy. Conceived and promoted by Teatro Blu of Cadegliano Viconago, it crosses the Insubria region and the Alpine macro-region every year, linking municipalities in Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Canton of Ticino into a single programme that turns theatre into a bridge between territories and cultures. Among its most loyal stops is Baveno, in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, overlooking the western shore of Lake Maggiore.
The 2026 20th Anniversary: "Geographies of the Possible"
The 2026 edition is special: the festival celebrates its 20th anniversary and runs for seven months, from May 21st to November 30th, featuring 85 performances in 44 municipalities across Italy and Switzerland. The chosen theme is "Geographies of the Possible", an invitation to view borders not as barriers, but as meeting places. The artistic direction is led by Silvia Priori, the historic heart of Teatro Blu. The programme is divided into three main areas: prose theatre, street theatre, and contemporary circus.
Theatre in the squares of Baveno
In Baveno, the Terra e Laghi performances bring the town's iconic spaces to life — from Piazza Dante Alighieri to the Feriolo Lakefront — with offerings often dedicated to families and children, where theatre, storytelling, masks, dance, song, and circus arts blend into languages accessible to everyone. All events have free admission and, in case of bad weather, are moved indoors to the Nostr@domus Cultural Centre.
A supported and deep-rooted project
The festival is produced with the support of Regione Lombardia and the contribution of the Ministry of Culture through the FUS, involving artists from all over Italy and abroad. Its cross-border vocation makes it a unique event in the Italian festival landscape: for Baveno and Lake Maggiore, it represents a precious opportunity for high-quality open-air theatre in the heart of summer.
Terra e Laghi — edition 2026
The 20th-anniversary edition of the Terra e Laghi Festival brings two family-oriented shows to Baveno, both with free admission and starting at 9:00 PM. It begins on August 12 in Piazza Dante Alighieri with "La gabbianella" and continues on August 18 on the Feriolo Lakefront with "Amore di Sale". In case of bad weather, the shows will be held at the Nostr@domus Cultural Centre.
The Baveno stops are part of a widespread programme of 85 performances in 44 municipalities between Italy and Switzerland, under the artistic direction of Silvia Priori for Teatro Blu.
Programme Terra e Laghi 2026
Wednesday, August 12 — 9:00 PM, Piazza Dante Alighieri
- "La gabbianella" — Teatro Blu (VA), with Arianna Rolandi and Shinya Murayama; text, direction, and drawings by Silvia Priori. A family show that weaves together theatre, circus arts, masks, and animated projections, inspired by the work of Luis Sepúlveda: the story of a seagull who entrusts her egg to a cat, exploring themes of solidarity and love for others.
Tuesday, August 18 — 9:00 PM, Feriolo Lakefront (Monumento al Mulo area)
- "Amore di Sale" — Arterie Teatro (BA), directed and performed by Alessandra Sciancalepore. A family show inspired by the fairy tales of Italo Calvino: a cook prepares a special soup with the help of the children, and by adding ingredients, it is discovered that salt is what gives flavour to both the soup and life itself. Featuring kitchen objects that become characters and opera music.
Both shows have free admission. In case of bad weather, they will take place at the Nostr@domus Cultural Centre.
Highlights Terra e Laghi 2026
- "La gabbianella" by Teatro Blu, featuring theatre, circus arts, and animated drawings (August 12, Piazza Dante Alighieri).
- "Amore di Sale" by Arterie Teatro, based on the fairy tales of Italo Calvino (August 18, Feriolo Lakefront).
- Family-friendly shows with free admission for the festival's 20th anniversary.
Prices Terra e Laghi 2026
Practical information — Terra e Laghi
Where
The Terra e Laghi performances in Baveno (VB) are held in the town centre squares, particularly in Piazza Dante Alighieri, and on the Feriolo Lakefront. In case of bad weather, performances are moved to the Nostr@domus Cultural Centre.
Admission
Admission to all performances is free.
How to get there
Baveno is accessible by train (Domodossola–Milan line, Baveno station) and by car via the A26 motorway (Baveno-Stresa exit). There are numerous parking areas along the lakefront.
Information
Organization: Teatro Blu — tel. +39 0332 590592, [email protected]. Baveno Tourism Infopoint: tel. 0323 924632, [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Terra e Laghi
Piazza Dante Alighieri