Let’s be honest: when you think of summer in Verona, your mind instantly wanders to the Arena and its grand operas. And that’s wonderful!
But there’s another magical spot in town that many visitors risk missing: all it takes is crossing the Adige River via Ponte Pietra and walking up the first steps toward Castel San Pietro to find yourself standing before the Roman Theatre.
Here, in a two-thousand-year-old amphitheater kissed by the evening breeze, comes to life the Estate Teatrale Veronese (ETV), Italy’s oldest open-air theatre festival. Founded in 1948 to celebrate the indelible bond between William Shakespeare and our city (Romeo and Juliet, as well as The Taming of the Shrew and The Two Gentlemen of Verona), today the festival is a true international benchmark for theatre, dance, and music.
For this 78th edition (summer 2026), artistic director Fabrizio Arcuri has curated a lineup with an even more global feel, weaving together great classics, new playwrighting, and world-renowned artists around the theme (H)EARTH OF GLASS.
And here at Step by Story, we certainly couldn’t just stand by and watch!
(H)EARTH OF GLASS" is more than just a title: it is the manifesto of a season that blends the solid grounding of our history with the transparency and fragility of innovation
Exclusive offer for the Step by Story community
Our mission has always been to help you experience Verona like a local, discovering its most authentic stories. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that Step by Story is an official partner of the 2026 Verona Summer Theatre Festival!
Thanks to this partnership, our community can enjoy special discounted rates directly at the ticket office:
- Roman Theatre Steps (Gradinata): €10.00 (instead of full price)
- Teatro Camploy (General Admission): €10.00
- MOMIX Special Event – Botanica Season 2: €23.00
How to get your discount:
- Follow @stepbystory on Instagram.
- Comment the word “TEATRO“ on this post to receive your Digital Pass via DM.
- Show your Digital Pass on your phone to the ticket office staff.
Important note: Discounted tickets are available in person only at the Box Office in Via Pallone 16, or directly at the Roman Theatre / Teatro Camploy ticket desks on the night of the show. The discount does not apply to online purchases.
What’s on stage this year?
The 78th edition of the Estate Teatrale Veronese stands out for its exceptionally international scope and a variety of artistic languages designed to resonate with every preference. The festival program unfolds across different artistic dimensions and unique venues throughout the city:
At the Roman Theatre: From Great Classics to Concerts Under the Stars
The beating heart of the festival hosts the renowned Shakespeare Festival and premier theatrical drama, featuring world-class directors like Declan Donnellan, extraordinary performers such as Toni Servillo, Lella Costa, Francesco Montanari, Stefano Massini, and Filippo Timi, alongside philosophical insights from Massimo Cacciari.
International Contemporary Dance brings to the stage the visionary energy of MOMIX with Botanica Season 2 (included in our special offer at €23), the surreal atmospheres of the Belgian company Peeping Tom, and the dreamlike acrobatics of the Yoann Bourgeois Art Company.
Rounding out the lineup are the Musical Crossovers (Contaminazioni Musicali) and Verona Jazz, featuring high-profile artists like Paolo Fresu, Daniele Silvestri, Niccolò Fabi, Johnny Marr (from The Smiths), and Coez.
At Teatro Camploy: New Playwriting & Contemporary Languages
Set in the vibrant heart of the Veronetta district, the historic Teatro Camploy plays host to Nuove Orbite, a section dedicated to emerging under-40 talent, new playwriting, and award-winning projects from the 2025 Premio Scenario. Highlights include works by artists such as Nicolò Sordo, Claudia Manuelli, and Andrea Mattei, as well as audio-video experimentation by Roberto Latini.
Constellations (Costellazioni): Theatre Overflowing into the City
Throughout July, the festival breaks out of traditional venue walls and moves into the heart of Piazza Bra with urban art installations (Little Fun Palace), individual sound experiences based on Shakespearean texts (Carta Carbone), and the famous interactive audio walk The Walks by Rimini Protokoll (available in 6 languages).
Teatro Romano
| Data | Spettacolo / Artista | Sezione |
|---|---|---|
| 25 - 26 Giugno | Los 2 Hidalgos de Verona Regia di Declan Donnellan |
Festival Shakespeariano |
| 28 Giugno | Padre Cicogna Toni Servillo & Nicola Piovani |
Grande Soirée |
| 3 Luglio | Otello, di precise parole si vive Lella Costa & Gabriele Vacis |
Festival Shakespeariano |
| 9 - 10 Luglio | Tito Andronico Davide Sacco con Francesco Montanari |
Festival Shakespeariano |
| 14 - 15 Luglio | Diptych Peeping Tom Dance (Belgio) |
Danza Contemporanea |
| 20 - 21 Luglio | The Infinite Approach Yoann Bourgeois Art Company (Francia) |
Danza Contemporanea |
| 27 Luglio - 8 Agosto | BOTANICA - Season 2 MOMIX (USA) |
Danza / Evento Speciale |
| 1 Settembre | Romeo e Giulietta in The War Stefano Massini & Orchestra Multietnica |
Festival Shakespeariano |
| 3 Settembre | Rex Destruens, Re Lear Massimo Cacciari |
Festival Shakespeariano |
| 10 - 11 Settembre | Amleto² Filippo Timi & Marina Rocco |
Festival Shakespeariano |
| 17 - 18 Settembre | Alcesti Regia di Filippo Dini (INDA) |
Classici |
Teatro Camploy
| Data | Spettacolo / Artista | Sezione |
|---|---|---|
| 5 - 6 Settembre | Ophelia Di Luca Giacomoni con Giulia Quacqueri |
Nuove Orbite |
| 7 Settembre | Hijos de Buddha Di e con Nicolò Sordo |
Nuove Orbite |
| 12 Settembre | Brain Storm – Tempesta in testa Regia Frank Heuel / Marta Dalla Via |
Nuove Orbite |
| 13 Settembre | Infinita Bellezza Di Claudia Manuelli |
Nuove Orbite (Premio Scenario) |
| 14 Settembre | L'isola dei ciccioni felici Di e con Andrea Mattei |
Nuove Orbite (Premio Scenario) |
| 15 Settembre | Dad or Alive Di BumBumFritz |
Nuove Orbite (Premio Scenario) |
| 16 Settembre | Digital Odyssey Drammaturgia audio Roberto Latini |
Nuove Orbite |
Useful Info & ticket office
To take advantage of the Step by Story Special Offer, please note that discounted tickets can only be purchased in person at official physical box offices.
Main Box Office: Via Pallone, 16 – Verona | 📞 +39 045 8011154
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9:30 AM–12:30 PM & 3:30 PM–7:00 PM | Saturday 9:30 AM–12:30 PM (Closed Sundays)
Evening Box Office: Open directly at the performance venue (Roman Theatre or Teatro Camploy) starting from 8:00 PM, strictly on show nights.
How to make the most of your evening
Arrive about an hour before the show around the Ponte Pietra area or in the Veronetta neighborhood. Treat yourself to an aperitivo with a view of the Adige River at sunset perhaps sipping a glass of Valpolicella or a Spritz and then cross the ancient Roman bridge.
Walking up the stone steps as the evening lights illuminate the thousand-year-old ruins of the theatre is an experience well worth the trip all on its own.
We look forward to seeing you at the theatre! And if you need more tips on what to do, where to eat, or which secret corners to discover in Verona, check out our experiences or send us a message directly on social media!