Trento Fringe Festival
The independent, city-wide theatre festival bringing underground performances to the neighborhoods of Trento
About Trento Fringe
A Fringe in Trento: theatre beyond the stage
The Trento Fringe Festival is the latest addition to the cultural scene of the Trentino-Alto Adige capital: a city-wide theatre festival making its debut from September 25th to 27th, 2026. The concept is modeled after the legendary Edinburgh Fringe, the world's largest performing arts festival, and tailored specifically for Trento: rather than a top-down program, it is an open space built from the grassroots level in collaboration with local associations and neighborhood groups.
How the Fringe format works
The format is the one that made the Fringe famous: performances do not take place in traditional theatres, but in unconventional spaces—courtyards, warehouses, and local venues not typically dedicated to theatre, reaching out to the peripheral districts of Trento. The festival selects independent and experimental artists, both Italian and international, who are willing to perform outside traditional settings. The shows are complete productions lasting between 45 and 90 minutes, in either Italian or English, with minimal technical requirements to ensure they can adapt to any space.
A festival spread across the city
Each selected show is performed at least once a day for all three days, allowing the audience to create their own itinerary by walking from one venue to another. It is a way to rediscover Trento in a new light, turning squares, courtyards, and neighborhood spaces into temporary stages and restoring a sense of proximity and community to the performing arts.
Part of Trento Aperta
The Trento Fringe is part of the summer and autumn calendar of the Municipality of Trento, within the «Trento Aperta, che bella libertà» (Open Trento, what a beautiful freedom) initiative, as an innovative, inclusive, and accessible proposal. The organization is managed by the association Theatron 2.0, which is active in promoting emerging theatre and independent performing arts, bringing to Trento a model already tested in other Italian and European cities.
Free admission
In keeping with the Fringe spirit, access to the shows is free: the audience is invited to support the artists through a 'hat' collection system, leaving a voluntary contribution at the end of each performance. It is a unique opportunity to discover emerging companies and contemporary languages in the heart of Trentino.
Trento Fringe — edition 2026
Trento Fringe Festival 2026 — inaugural edition
The first edition of the Trento Fringe Festival takes place from Friday, September 25th to Sunday, September 27th, 2026. The festival features seven theatre and performing arts shows, presented by independent Italian and international companies and artists, performed in unconventional spaces across the city's districts, including peripheral areas. The shows, lasting between 45 and 90 minutes, are in Italian or English and are repeated at least once a day for the entire duration of the event.
The festival is organized by Theatron 2.0 as part of the «Trento Aperta» program of the Municipality of Trento. Admission is free, with the opportunity to support artists through voluntary contributions.
Programme Trento Fringe 2026
The lineup of the seven shows selected for the first edition will be announced after the call for entries closes: the companies and titles will be communicated on the official website trentofringe.it starting from the end of July 2026. Each selected show will be performed at least once a day in different unconventional spaces throughout the three days of the festival (September 25, 26, and 27).
The detailed program with times, venues, and a map will be published on the festival's official channels before the event.
Highlights Trento Fringe 2026
- Inaugural edition (edition zero) of the first Fringe in Trento, modeled after the Edinburgh Festival.
- Seven theatre and performing arts shows in unconventional neighborhood spaces.
- Independent and experimental Italian and international artists, with shows in Italian or English.
- Free admission with a 'hat' collection system.
Prices Trento Fringe 2026
Practical information — Trento Fringe
When
From Friday, September 25th to Sunday, September 27th, 2026. Each selected show is performed at least once a day throughout the three days.
Where
Unconventional spaces distributed across the various neighborhoods of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), including peripheral areas. Exact locations and a map of the venues will be announced on the official website upon the publication of the program.
Tickets
Free admission. At the end of each show, the audience may support the artists with a voluntary contribution (hat collection).
How to get there
Trento is served by the Brenner railway line and the A22 Brenner-Modena motorway (Trento Nord and Trento Sud exits). Many festival venues are within walking distance or accessible via public transport from the city centre.
Information
Official website: trentofringe.it — Email: [email protected] — Instagram: @trentofringe.
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Where does it take place — Trento Fringe
Spazi non convenzionali dei quartieri di Trento