Cantarella Festival

The Cantarella Festival returns in 2026 with an edition that marks a turning point in the event’s history.
After years of being a beloved fixture in Piazza della Libertà, the event is moving permanently to the new events area on Viale Europa, a larger, more modern and functional venue situated next to the 1,000-space multi-storey car park. This change of venue stems from the need to accommodate an ever-growing audience and to best showcase a tradition deeply rooted in the local area.
The 2026 edition will take place over two weekends, from 30 April to 3 May and from 8 to 10 May, featuring a completely revamped programme, enriched by special guests, live music and special initiatives designed to celebrate the new location.

First weekend

THURSDAY 30 APRIL
9.00 pm: DJ set with DJ Cleto. The evening kicks off with the unmistakable sounds of Afro and deep melodic music, curated by one of the legendary DJs on the Romagna scene.

FRIDAY 1 MAY
4.00 pm: Moka Club concert. An afternoon of pure energy and excitement with the well-known Romagna live band, ready to get the crowd dancing to the best disco, soul and pop hits from the 1980s to the present day.
9.00 pm: THE SENIORS present... ITALIAN HITS LIVE An ITALIAN night... nothing but the greatest hits of Italian music. Roberto Tomasi, Mirna Fox and a special appearance by Francesco Dubbini and Valerio Rotondale (from HOOP). The most beloved hits of yesterday and today: get ready for a live show full of energy, emotion and pure fun! Don’t miss it. This isn’t just any evening… it’s THE NIGHT OF ITALIAN HITS

SATURDAY 2 MAY
9.00 pm: Revolution concert. An adrenaline-fuelled evening with the live band, bringing back the legendary hits of 70s disco music and the best dance hits of the 80s, 90s and 2000s, played entirely live.

SUNDAY 3 MAY
Time for Celtic music with Drunken Lullabies. Romagna’s wildest folk band will transform the events area into a proper festive Irish pub, with rousing rhythms and wild dancing to the sounds of the violin, bagpipes and drums.

Second weekend

FRIDAY 8 MAY
9.00 pm: DJ set by Forever Young and comedy with Maria Pia Timo. A huge revival party featuring no fewer than five famous DJs from the 2000s, who will bring those unforgettable hits back to life, enhanced by the brilliant comedy of Maria Pia Timo. The much-loved actress, a long-standing face of Zelig, will captivate the audience with her hilarious monologues, bringing all her authentic Romagna charm to the stage.

SATURDAY 9 MAY
9.00 pm: Concert by the Max Pezzali Tribute Band, for a magical evening spent singing at the top of your lungs all the greatest generational anthems of 883.

SUNDAY 10 MAY
4.00 pm: Grand finale with the legendary Roxy Bar, long recognised as the best Vasco Rossi tribute band around.

Children’s entertainment and afternoon shows

The 2026 Sagra della Cantarella is thinking big for families too, setting up a veritable village of fun. Over the weekends (2, 3, 9 and 10 May), there will be the usual inflatables, face painting, balloon sculptures and the magic of giant bubbles, but this year’s programme is enhanced by some special guests:
• Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May: The events area will host Fiorenzo Montalti’s Wooden Games. The renowned wood artist from Cesena will bring his famous ‘GiocArellando’ project to Gatteo: an extraordinary collection of large-scale traditional street games. A true test of skill, luck, ingenuity and movement, designed to help children discover (and adults rediscover) the ‘games of yesteryear’
• Saturday 2 May (afternoon): An unmissable event featuring the electrifying Bimbobel Show. A hilarious interactive show lasting over two hours, designed for young and old alike, featuring original music, wholesome comedy gags, sleight of hand and plenty of gifts, guaranteeing smiles and fun for the whole family.
• Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May: It’s time for the Marcone Workshop. Wood, ingenuity and a desire to play come together in this fascinating “playroom for curious minds”. Dozens of vintage board games will be made available to the public, including the legendary pinball machines built entirely by hand, as well as puzzles and skill-based challenges.
• Saturday 9 May (afternoon): The area will come alive with a magic and juggling show by the ever-entertaining Mago Katorcio.

Liscio Week

LISCIO WEEK, with the music of Romagna bringing the town to life.

The May programme

Sunday 24 May 2026
EMILIA ROMAGNA'S BALLROOM DANCING: OPENING CEREMONY
Palazzo del Turismo – from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm and from 9.00 pm to 11.30 pm, free admission
4.00 pm Opening of the exhibition of 78, 33 and 45 rpm vinyl records, record sleeves, cassettes, 7-inch and 8-inch stereo tapes. Exhibition of 1,400 items from Marco Tagliavini’s private collection.

Sunday 24 May 2026
BALLROOM DANCING WEEK: OPENING CELEBRATION
Piazza della Libertà - 9.15 pm, free entry
Musical performance by the Castellina Orchestra and surprise guests. Hosted by Moreno il Biondo

Monday 25 to Sunday 30 May 2026
EMILIA ROMAGNA AND BALLROOM DANCING
Palazzo del Turismo - daily from 10.00 to 12.00, from 17.00 to 18.30 and from 21.00 to 23.30, free admission
Exhibition of 78, 33 and 45 rpm vinyl records, record sleeves, cassettes, 7-inch and 8-inch stereo tapes. An exhibition of 1,400 items from Marco Tagliavini’s private collection, tracing the history of Liscio from the 1930s to the present day. Among the highlights are ‘Battagliero’ from 1946 and ‘Romagna mia’ from 1954

Monday 25 May 2026
LISCIO WEEK: LISCIO ALONG THE VIA EMILIA
Piazza della Libertà - 9.15 pm, free admission
Musical show featuring the ROMAGNA PARADISE BAND, dedicated to the folk music of Emilia-Romagna. The evening will be hosted by MORENO IL BIONDO. Guests include Matteo Bensi, Claudio Zanardo, Marco Tagliavini, Massimo Budriesi, Andrea Barbanera, Pamela Antolini, Mirco Gramellini and other artists to be confirmed

Tuesday 26 May 2026
BALLROOM DANCING WEEK: MORENO IL BIONDO & FRIENDS
Piazza della Libertà - 9.15 pm, free entry
Musical show with the ROMAGNA PARADISE BAND. Guests include Diego Zamboni, Tonya Todisco, Daniela Cavanna, Elena Cammarone, Federica Cocco, Alex Villani and other artists to be confirmed

Wednesday 27 May 2026
BALLROOM DANCING WEEK: LIVE BALLROOM DANCING ON THE BEACH
OLIMPIA Beach Club No. 20 – PAGANELLI No. 21 – 10.15 am, free entry
Live music and dancing with Moreno ‘Il Biondo’ & Friends. Live TV broadcast of ‘Vado a Liscio’

Wednesday 27 May 2026
SLOW DANCE WEEK:
Piazza della Libertà - 9.15 pm, free entry
To mark the 120th anniversary of the birth of Secondo Casadei, the town pays tribute to its most illustrious citizen.
Mauro Ferrara, Luca Bergamini, Novella Vandi, Roberto “Bomber” Ruffilli, Leonardo Rossi, Riccardo Monti (Storia di Romagna), Elia Righini, Gabriele Zaccherini, Emanuele Fedeli and other artists to be confirmed

Thursday 28 May 2026
BALLROOM DANCING WEEK: THE GREAT PERFORMERS OF DANCE MUSIC
Piazza della Libertà - 9.15 pm, free entry
Musical show featuring the great performers of dance music. Roberto Tagliani, Frank David, Lorena Giorgi, Matteo Bensi, Frank David, Lorena Giorgi, Meris Maffei, Fiorenzo Tassinari, Walter Giannarelli and surprise guests

Friday 29 May 2026
BALLROOM DANCE WEEK: LIVE BALLROOM DANCE ON THE BEACH
Bagno MASSIMO N 3 - 10.15 am, free entry
Live music and dancing with Moreno ‘Il Biondo’ & Friends. Live TV broadcast of ‘Vado a Liscio’

Friday 29 May 2026
LISCIO WEEK: ROMAGNA CONCERT “ORCHESTRA GRANDE EVENTO”
Piazza della Libertà - 9.15 pm, free entry
Closing party with the Orchestra Grande Evento featuring guests: Francesca Mazzuccato, Fabio Barbero, Andrea Barbanera, Matteo Bensi

Liscio Week... Gallery

What happens TODAY
in Gatteo Mare

Main Events
of a summer under the stars

Shows and entertainment

On holiday in Gatteo Mare you will be part of a big family, that of the Gatteo Mare Summer Village.
Every summer evening in Gatteo Mare something special happens.

Nazionale Italiana Cantanti

Two afternoons of sport and charity

On 7 and 8 April 2026, the Italian National Singers’ Team returns to Gatteo Mare. The Municipal Stadium will open its doors for two afternoons of sport and charity, in support of the projects run by the Telemaco Association.

poster

Country Beer

25–26 APRIL

The Country & Beer Festival returns to Gatteo Mare – an event that has won over audiences, dancers and country music fans alike in recent years thanks to its relaxed and lively atmosphere.

programme poster

Cantarella Festival

Two weekends: from 30 April to 3 May and from 8 to 10 May

After years of being a familiar fixture in Piazza della Libertà, the event is moving permanently to the new events area on Viale Europa, a larger, more modern and functional venue.

programme poster

Liscio dancing week

MAY 24-29 and SEPTEMBER 8-18 - ARENA RUBICONE

In the town where Secondo Casadei was born, the summer programme of events opens and closes with two weeks dedicated to Liscio in Piazza della Libertà, organised by the Gatteo Mare Tourism Association under the artistic direction of Moreno il Biondo. There will be a host of performances from morning to night, featuring the finest exponents of Liscio.

programme

Vinyl Exhibition

From 24 to 31 MAY

1,400 items from the Emilia-Romagna music scene are on display.

poster

Holiday artists

The programme

Country Beer

The programme

Cantarella Festival

First weekend

Second weekend

Children’s entertainment and afternoon shows

Liscio Week

The May programme

Liscio Week... Gallery

AutoExpo Giulio Cesare

Seventhird Car Expo

Schiuma Party

Cocomerò Disco

American Dreamcars

Telemaco

Silent Cinema

Disco Aringa

Main Events of a summer under the stars

Shows and entertainment

Nazionale Italiana Cantanti

Two afternoons of sport and charity

Country Beer

25–26 APRIL

Cantarella Festival

Two weekends: from 30 April to 3 May and from 8 to 10 May

Liscio dancing week

MAY 24-29 and SEPTEMBER 8-18 - ARENA RUBICONE

Vinyl Exhibition

From 24 to 31 MAY

Main Events
of a summer under the stars