Tutti Matti per Colorno

A Festival That Drives Colorno Crazy

Tutti Matti per Colorno is the international festival of contemporary circus, theatre, and music that every year, between late August and early September, transforms the small municipality of Colorno, in the province of Parma, into a widespread open-air stage. The event invades the majestic Reggia di Colorno, the Giardino Ducale, the Palace Courtyard, and the historic town's neighbourhoods, bringing art to the people in one of Emilia-Romagna's most evocative monumental settings.

Origins and Name

The festival's name comes from a saying in the Parmesan dialect, "I dventén tut mat par gnir a Colorni" (everyone goes mad to come to Colorno), and plays on the town's historical identity, which hosted a large psychiatric hospital complex from the late 19th century until the 1990s. From this memory, the festival has drawn its joyful and free spirit, made of wonder, lightness, and amazement.

Contemporary Circus and Live Arts

The heart of the program is contemporary circus, complemented by street theatre, puppet theatre, urban theatre, installations, and live music. On numerous stages spread across the outdoor spaces, acrobats, jugglers, tightrope walkers, clowns, and Italian and international companies perform from afternoon until late evening. Artistic direction and production are curated by Teatro Necessario Circo (TNC) together with the Associazione Culturale Tutti Matti per Colorno, a proposal awarded over the years by the National Association of Theatre Critics.

Free Shows and Voluntary Contributions

One of the festival's distinctive features is its accessibility: the vast majority of shows are free with voluntary and conscious contributions, with only a few ticketed events. This makes Tutti Matti per Colorno a popular and family-friendly event, capable of attracting thousands of spectators from Parma, Emilia-Romagna, and all over Italy.

More Than Just Shows

In addition to the artistic programming, the festival offers numerous collateral activities:

• the Circus School Path, with workshops and activities for adults and children;
• the craft market and official merchandise;
• a selection of quality street food with Food & Drink areas;
• art installations and an OFF Stage without booking.

Colorno and the Palace

Located a few kilometres north of Parma, along the Parma stream, Colorno is famous for its Palace, a residence of the Dukes of Parma and the Bourbons, nicknamed the "little Versailles" of Emilia. During the festival, the monumental complex and its historic garden become the natural backdrop for the shows, in a unique blend of historical heritage and contemporary arts that makes Tutti Matti per Colorno an unmissable event of the Emilia-Romagna summer.