Vernio Comics
Comics, cosplay, video games, and pop culture in the Bisenzio Valley
About Vernio Comics
Vernio Comics: Pop culture arrives in the Bisenzio Valley
Vernio Comics is a comic book and pop culture festival that transforms the small town of Vernio, in the heart of the Bisenzio Valley in the Province of Prato, Tuscany, every year. Established in 2021 as an initiative to promote the local area, the event has grown rapidly to become one of the most anticipated summer highlights in the Apennines for fans of comics, manga, video games, animation, and cosplay.
An event spread between the former Meucci Factory and Albereta Park
The festival takes place in a unique setting: the grounds of the former Meucci Factory, now home to the MUMAT (Museum of Textile Machinery), and the nearby Albereta Park. The historic textile mill, a symbol of the valley's industrial history, provides a striking backdrop for exhibitor booths, while the park hosts outdoor areas, street food, and performance stages. This fusion of industrial archaeology and fantasy gives the festival its own distinct identity.
Guests, artists, and voice actors
Each edition brings nationally and internationally renowned voice actors, artists, and illustrators to Vernio. A significant space is dedicated to the artist alley, where visitors can meet comic book artists, illustrators, and creators of original artwork. Over the years, the festival has hosted well-known names from the Italian comic scene and famous voices from anime, film, and video game dubbing.
Cosplay, tournaments, and shows
Cosplay is one of the festival's beating hearts: the cosplay competition, organized by Azione Cosplay Prato, rewards the most creative and detailed costumes and attracts participants from all over Tuscany and beyond. The program also includes trading card and board game tournaments, dedicated video game areas, activities and workshops for children, live concerts, and evening light shows that illuminate the village.
Gastronomy and local spirit
Between booths, there is no shortage of culinary offerings, featuring street food, local specialties from the Bisenzio Valley, and themed oriental cuisine. Organized by the Vivere Vernio Natural Shopping Center in collaboration with Azione Cosplay Prato and under the patronage of the Municipality of Vernio, the festival maintains a strong charitable focus, donating a portion of the proceeds to local associations. Vernio Comics is now a successful example of how pop culture can serve as a catalyst for revitalizing a small Apennine town.
Vernio Comics — edition 2026
The fifth edition of Vernio Comics was held on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 2026, confirming the success of the previous year. The guest of honor on Saturday was voice actor and actor Flavio Aquilone, the Italian voice of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter saga, Light Yagami in Death Note, and Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon. The program dedicated to comics was rich, featuring artists and illustrators such as Niccolò Storai, Alberto Pagliaro, Paolo Massagli, and Giuseppe Di Bernardo, the historic illustrator of Diabolik.
Activities included: artist alley, a Pokémon area with a trading card tournament on Sunday at 11:30 AM, board games by Ludissea 42, face painting for children, and street food with local specialties and oriental cuisine. The cosplay competition, organized by Azione Cosplay Prato, took place on Sunday at 4:30 PM. Music was also a highlight, with a concert by the band Slump on Saturday evening and an LED light show by the group Lumen Invoco on Sunday.
Programme Vernio Comics 2026
2026 Program
- Saturday, June 13: Opening of stands and exhibitors; meeting with voice actor Flavio Aquilone; artist alley with illustrators (Niccolò Storai, Alberto Pagliaro, Paolo Massagli, Giuseppe Di Bernardo); 9:00 PM concert by the band Slump.
- Sunday, June 14: 11:30 AM Pokémon card tournament; board games (Ludissea 42); face painting for children; 4:30 PM cosplay competition organized by Azione Cosplay Prato; LED light show by the group Lumen Invoco.
Highlights Vernio Comics 2026
- Guest of honor: voice actor Flavio Aquilone (Draco Malfoy, Light Yagami, Hiccup)
- Cosplay competition organized by Azione Cosplay Prato
- Pokémon trading card tournament
- Concert by the band Slump and LED light show by Lumen Invoco
- Artists and illustrators in the artist alley, including Diabolik illustrator Giuseppe Di Bernardo
- Street food with Bisenzio Valley specialties and oriental cuisine
Prices Vernio Comics 2026
Practical information — Vernio Comics
How to get there
Vernio is located in the Bisenzio Valley, along the Prato-Bologna route. By train: Vernio-Montepiano-Cantagallo station on the Florence-Bologna line (Porrettana), just a few minutes from the center. By car: from the A1 motorway, take the Prato Ovest or Calenzano-Sesto Fiorentino exit, then follow the SS325 of the Bisenzio Valley; from the Apennines, via the Futa or Montepiano passes.
Venue
Ex Fabbrica Meucci (MUMAT), Via della Posta Vecchia 1, and Parco dell'Albereta, 59024 Vernio (PO).
Tickets
A symbolic entry fee has been charged in recent editions (around 3 euros per day, with discounts for two-day passes; free for cosplayers and people with disabilities). Please check updated conditions on the official website, as some past editions were free of charge.
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Where does it take place — Vernio Comics
Ex Fabbrica Meucci (MUMAT) e Parco dell'Albereta
Via della Posta Vecchia 1, 59024 Vernio