Villaggio De Sanctis – Contemporary Circus Festival
Contemporary circus and under-35 performing arts at Villa De Sanctis, between Torpignattara and Centocelle
About Villaggio De Sanctis
A circus village in the heart of the Casilino district
Villaggio De Sanctis is the contemporary circus festival that brings the park and sports club of Villa De Sanctis in Rome to life every summer, located in the area between Via Casilina, Torpignattara, and Centocelle. For a few weeks in June, the villa's green spaces are transformed into a true temporary village dedicated to circus, physical theater, play, and public engagement. In 2026, the event reaches its fifth edition, cementing its status as a landmark for performing arts in the capital's eastern suburbs.
Contemporary circus, free of animals and barriers
The festival is promoted by the Melting Pot association under the artistic direction of Leonardo Varriale. The artistic program focuses entirely on human skill, the poetry of gesture, and the hybridization of languages: aerial acrobatics, juggling, balancing, mime, puppetry, and live music intertwine in a contemporary circus that excludes animals and traditional barriers, favoring a dialogue between body, space, and urban architecture.
Nuova Scena: young creation for the under-35s
At the heart of the project is Nuova Scena, a section entirely dedicated to young talent in the contemporary circus and performing arts scene for those under 35. On the Sundays leading up to the final weekend, the program features performances and new productions by emerging collectives and artists, often linked to Roman circus schools. It serves as a precious observatory for the freshest talent emerging in the Italian circus scene.
A free festival for everyone
All shows and activities at Villaggio De Sanctis are free, with mandatory online booking to respect venue capacity. Alongside the performances, the program includes workshops for adults and children (some starting from age five), itinerant performances, miniature theaters, and variety acts designed to engage the entire audience, from families to curious locals.
Villa De Sanctis, a park that becomes a stage
The choice of Villa De Sanctis is no coincidence: transforming a public park in the Municipality of Rome, Lazio, into an open-air stage means returning a space of sociality and culture to the citizens, bringing performing arts to a broad and diverse audience. The festival thus contributes to the cultural life of the Torpignattara and Centocelle neighborhoods, historically among the most vibrant and multicultural in the city.
Villaggio De Sanctis — edition 2026
The 2026 program
The fifth edition of Villaggio De Sanctis was divided into two parts. The Nuova Scena section (June 7-21), dedicated to contemporary circus and under-35 performing arts, and the main festival on the weekend of June 26-28, featuring shows, workshops, itinerant performances, and miniature theaters at the Circolo Sportivo Villa De Sanctis.
Nuova Scena (June 7-21)
- Sunday, June 7: MESS by Collettivo MESS – Scuola Romana di Circo, 99 Grammi by Collettivo Cia Lupa, and Modus Operandi by Compagnia Zumo
- Sunday, June 14: Equilibrio by Fiamma Martinangeli and La storia vera di Pazzerotto by Anita Monaco
- Sunday, June 21: Circus Playground by Circo Svago and Cerchi in testa by Grazia Palermo
Main festival (June 26-28)
- Friday, June 26, 7:00 PM: La regina degli spaventapasseri (Artemakia)
- Saturday, June 27: Knitting Memories (If Circus, workshop), Coro di teatri in miniatura (Collettivo Lambe Lambe), WhereisValerio (Valerio Boninsegna), TransNovaTerra (Collettivo Flaan)
- Sunday, June 28: Coro di teatri in miniatura, WhereisValerio, Melic (If Circus), and the Villaggio De Sanctis Variety Show
Artistic direction by Leonardo Varriale for the Melting Pot association; all events are free with mandatory booking.
Programme Villaggio De Sanctis 2026
Nuova Scena (Sundays, June 7-21)
- June 7: MESS (Collettivo MESS – Scuola Romana di Circo), 99 Grammi (Collettivo Cia Lupa), Modus Operandi (Compagnia Zumo)
- June 14: Equilibrio (Fiamma Martinangeli), La storia vera di Pazzerotto (Anita Monaco)
- June 21: Circus Playground (Circo Svago), Cerchi in testa (Grazia Palermo)
Main festival (June 26-28)
- Friday, June 26, 7:00 PM: La regina degli spaventapasseri (Artemakia)
- Saturday, June 27, 4:00 PM: Knitting Memories (If Circus, workshop); 5:30 PM: Coro di teatri in miniatura (Collettivo Lambe Lambe); 6:00 PM: WhereisValerio (Valerio Boninsegna, workshop); 7:00 PM: TransNovaTerra (Collettivo Flaan)
- Sunday, June 28, 5:30 PM: Coro di teatri in miniatura; 6:00 PM: WhereisValerio; 7:00 PM: Melic (If Circus); 8:00 PM: Villaggio De Sanctis Variety Show
Highlights Villaggio De Sanctis 2026
- Fifth edition of the contemporary circus festival in East Rome
- Nuova Scena section dedicated to young creators under 35
- Shows, workshops, itinerant performances, and miniature theaters
- Free admission with mandatory booking
- Villa De Sanctis, between Torpignattara and Centocelle
Prices Villaggio De Sanctis 2026
Practical information — Villaggio De Sanctis
Location
Circolo Sportivo Villa De Sanctis, main entrance at Via dei Gordiani 5, Rome (neighborhood between Torpignattara and Centocelle).
How to get there
By metro, take Line C to the Gardenie or Mirti stops (Centocelle), or Line A to Ponte Mammolo followed by a bus towards Casilina. By car, take the Via Casilina or Via Prenestina exit; parking is limited in the area, so public transport is recommended.
Tickets
Free admission with mandatory online booking for every show or workshop, subject to availability.
Contacts
Official website villaggiodesanctis.it, email [email protected], Instagram @meltingpot_roma.
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Where does it take place — Villaggio De Sanctis
Circolo Sportivo Villa De Sanctis
Via dei Gordiani 5, 00177 Roma