Granarolo Effimero 2026: Full Programme of the Countryside Preview Event
From 5 to 7 June 2026, the village of Granarolo Faentino comes alive with Granarolo Effimero 2026, the evocative countryside preview of the renowned Arena delle Balle di Paglia Festival. Three days filled with street theatre, live music, short films, local food and the historic tradition of colourful sawdust carpets.
Below is the official schedule and detailed programme of all events.
Friday, 5 June 2026
- 5:00 PM – Happy Birthday Ori! (O.R.I. Altini Ltd., Via dei Braccianti)
Celebration of the first 70 years of the local company through the visual story of the mural created by artist Giulia Dall’Ara. The Maria Rosa Ricci Choir will perform in front of the artwork entitled “The Painter”. A toast will follow. - 8:15 PM – Sailing Through Granarolo (Departure from Bar Sport)
A surreal travelling performance by Teatro In-stabile of Monica. The event features Gilberto’s papier-mâché boat emerging from the canal, the appearances of guard Raul, and a journey through courtyards and balconies accompanied by local characters, music and storytelling. - 9:15 PM – Voices from the Future (Sala Albonetti, ANSPI Club, Via Maddalena Venturi)
Screening of author short films as part of the “e’ CINO!” film series curated by Oltreschermo. - 9:30 PM – The Loving Concert (Piazza Manfredi)
Musical performances and Gypsy Jazz sounds spreading through the main square and the village balconies. - 11:00 PM – Sailing Through Granarolo (Departure from Bar Sport)
Evening reprise of the travelling theatrical performance through the streets of the village.
Saturday, 6 June 2026
- 6:00 PM – Voices from the Future (Sala Albonetti)
Second screening session of the short film programme curated by Oltreschermo. - 7:30 PM – Balera Dancing (Throughout the village)
Travelling musical entertainment featuring traditional dances and quadrilles performed by The Wild Cherries. - 7:45 PM – A Church Revealed by Its Parish Priest (Church of St. John the Evangelist)
Exclusive guided tour of the village church led personally by Don Claudio. - 8:30 PM – The Organ Sounds in the Church (Church of St. John the Evangelist)
Sacred and classical music concert for organ, violin and voice performed by the Note di Seta trio. - 9:15 PM – Voices from the Future (Sala Albonetti)
Final evening featuring the best short films from the festival selection. - 9:45 PM – Purbión di Romagna (Viale della Stazione)
Performance by Denis Campitelli, featuring poetry, satirical monologues and stories celebrating local identity and Romagna traditions. - 11:00 PM – Sawdust Art Carpets (Village streets)
The most iconic moment of the festival. For 75 years, residents have transformed the streets overnight into colourful works of art using dyed sawdust. Visitors can admire these temporary masterpieces before they disappear the following day.
Sunday, 7 June 2026
- 9:00 AM – Holy Mass and Corpus Christi Procession (Church of St. John the Evangelist)
Sunday Mass followed by the solemn procession walking across the colourful sawdust carpets created during the night. - 11:15 AM – Bell Concert (Beneath the Bell Tower)
Performance by the Diocesan Bell Ringers Group showcasing the church bells of Granarolo.
Exhibitions, Research Projects and Food Areas (Available Throughout the Weekend)
In addition to the scheduled events, visitors can enjoy several permanent attractions throughout the festival:
- Food & Drink Area: On 5 and 6 June from 7:00 PM, food stalls will serve traditional Romagna specialties and beer.
- The 16 Rediscovered Trades: A historical exhibition and research project curated by Enza Casadio along the banks of the Naviglio Canal.
- Maddalena Venturi Museum: Guided visits and storytelling sessions at Via Pasolini 5/B, led by Fabio and Gilberto.
- Views of Granarolo Through Art: At Sala San Francesco (Via Pasolini 5/B), exhibitions by Alfonso Zaccaria and Giovanni Liverani with guided interpretation by Loretta Onestini.
Granarolo Effimero continues to be one of the most distinctive events in the Faenza area, bringing together the ephemeral beauty of sawdust art and the magic of street performance in a truly unique celebration.
