The Night of Wonders – Karakasciò

A night of wonders in the Etruscan city

The Night of Wonders – Karakasciò is the festival that lights up the historic center of Tarquinia, in the province of Viterbo, Lazio, with enchantment. For one evening, from 9:00 PM until late at night, the streets and squares of the medieval village overlooking the Maremma Laziale become a massive open-air stage: an immersive path dedicated to street art, where locals and visitors wander from station to station, surprised by acrobatics, magic, comedy, theater, and fire performances.

The format: an immersive street art trail

The concept is simple and effective: no single stage, but many stations scattered across the city's most evocative spots – the Alberata Dante Alighieri, Piazza Cavour in front of the "Rossella Falk" municipal theater, Piazza Santo Stefano under the Torre Barucci, Via Umberto I, and Piazza Duomo. Performances overlap and follow one another, allowing the public to freely build their own itinerary among medieval towers, Romanesque churches, and artisan shops, with musical moments, light displays, and entertainment spread throughout the historic center.

The artists of the Circus Karakasciò

The heart of the event is the caravan of artists gathered under the banner of the Circus Karakasciò, with performances dedicated to both adults and children:

• Shanky Clown with a tightrope walking show at the Alberata Dante Alighieri;
• Mago Lapone and his bubble show in Piazza Cavour;
• Clown Chapeau with his irresistible comedy in Piazza Santo Stefano;
• Federico Moschetti with Commedia dell'Arte between Via Umberto I and Via Cesare Battisti;
• Andrea Corvo with a mesmerizing fire show in Piazza Duomo, the grand finale of the evening.

A festival for families and the city

The Night of Wonders is designed primarily for families: activities dedicated to children, comedic and visual shows suitable for all ages, and evening hours that take advantage of the summer cool. The event is also an opportunity to experience local commerce, thanks to the direct involvement of the Divini Commercianti association, which brings together businesses in the historic center.

The roots: from "Tarquinia Wonderland" to the night of Karakasciò

The event inherits the legacy of "Tarquinia Wonderland," the fairy-tale event that in 2025 transformed the center into a set inspired by Alice in Wonderland, with actors and performers in costume. In 2026, the formula evolved into a nocturnal and circus-themed event, confirming Tarquinia's vocation for immersive events that enhance its extraordinary medieval urban fabric.

Tarquinia, between Etruscans and Maremma

A UNESCO World Heritage site for its painted Etruscan necropolis, Tarquinia is one of the most fascinating destinations in the Tuscia region of Viterbo. Participating in the Night of Wonders is also an invitation to discover the city: the National Archaeological Museum at Palazzo Vitelleschi, the Romanesque church of Santa Maria in Castello, the noble towers, and, just a few kilometers away, the Tarquinia Lido coastline. The Municipality of Tarquinia and the Lazio Region support a rich summer calendar, of which this night of street art is one of the most anticipated events.