The Night of Liscio
The great festival of Romagnolo dance at the Rubicone Arena in Gatteo Mare
About Night of Liscio
The Liscio Festival in the Heart of Romagna
La Notte del Liscio is the event that transforms Gatteo Mare, a seaside village in the Municipality of Gatteo, into the capital of Romagnolo dance every September. The event takes place at the Arena Rubicone, along Via Antonio Gramsci in the Don Guanella Gardens area, and represents the highlight of the broader Settimana del Liscio. It is a grand, free popular festival celebrating waltzes, polkas, and mazurkas, the dances that have made Romagna famous throughout Italy.
A Tradition Looking to the Future
Liscio is not just dance music: it is an identity heritage of Romagna, nominated by the Emilia-Romagna Region as intangible cultural heritage. La Notte del Liscio was created precisely to showcase this tradition and, at the same time, to highlight its boldest contaminations and evolutions. On stage, the grand orchestra interacts with artists from different musical backgrounds, demonstrating how liscio can renew itself without losing its soul.
Gatteo Mare, Land of Casadei and Romagna Mia
Gatteo Mare is inextricably linked to the history of liscio: it is the territory of Secondo Casadei and his Romagna mia, the symbolic song that brought Romagnolo dance music into the homes of millions of Italians. Choosing this location for La Notte del Liscio means bringing liscio back to the places that made its history, between the beach, the squares, and the open-air arena.
An Evening for Everyone
La Notte del Liscio is designed as a festival open to everyone: experienced dancers, families, curious visitors, and tourists who liven up the coast in September. Entry is free until capacity is reached, and the evening is part of a rich summer calendar, with over two hundred events animating Gatteo Mare during the warm season. The Province of Forlì-Cesena and the entire Emilia-Romagna region find here one of the most authentic showcases of their popular culture.
Night of Liscio — edition 2026
La Notte del Liscio 2026 takes place on September 12th at the Arena Rubicone in Gatteo Mare, the flagship evening of the Settimana del Liscio scheduled for September. Under the artistic direction of Moreno il Biondo, the audience experiences a show that blends traditional liscio with its contemporary contaminations. Admission is free until capacity is reached.
Programme Night of Liscio 2026
Saturday, September 12 — Arena Rubicone, 9:00 PM
- 9:00 PM — Opening of the evening and grand dance at the Arena Rubicone
- Moreno il Biondo, artistic director, with the Orchestra Grande Evento
- Guest: E-Wired Empathy, a collective with international sounds
- Guest: David Rhodes, guitarist and arranger for Peter Gabriel
The show presents the many evolutions of liscio, from Romagnolo tradition to modern reinterpretations. La Notte del Liscio is the highlight of the Settimana del Liscio, which in 2026 animates Gatteo Mare in September between the Arena Rubicone, Piazza della Libertà, the beach, and the Palazzo del Turismo.
Highlights Night of Liscio 2026
- Artistic direction by Moreno il Biondo with the Orchestra Grande Evento
- The participation of David Rhodes, Peter Gabriel's long-time guitarist
- The collective E-Wired Empathy blending liscio and international sounds
- Free open-air admission, under the stars of the Romagna Riviera
Prices Night of Liscio 2026
Practical information — Night of Liscio
How to Get There
Gatteo Mare is located on the Romagna Riviera, in the province of Forlì-Cesena. By car, it can be reached from the A14 motorway, exit Valle del Rubicone or Cesena Nord. By train, the reference station is Gatteo a Mare on the Adriatic line, or Cesenatico and Savignano sul Rubicone with connecting buses. The nearest airport is Federico Fellini Airport in Rimini.
Where it Takes Place
The event is held at the Arena Rubicone, in Via Antonio Gramsci, in the Don Guanella Gardens area of Gatteo Mare.
Admission
Free admission until capacity is reached. Show starts at 9:00 PM.
Information
IAT Office of Gatteo Mare, Piazza della Libertà 10, tel. +39 0547 86083, email [email protected]. Official website: notteliscio.it.
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Where does it take place — Night of Liscio
Arena Rubicone
Via Antonio Gramsci, 47043 Gatteo