Facce da Bronzi National Cabaret Festival

Teatro Francesco Cilea · Reggio di Calabria, Costa Viola, Calabria

23 October 2026 – 25 October 2026

Concluded event

The eleventh edition of the National Cabaret Festival «Facce da Bronzi» ends at the Teatro Francesco Cilea in Reggio Calabria with two evenings: the semi-final on Friday 23 October 2026, hosted by Marco Mauro with Paolo Migone, Rocco Ciarmoli and Gigi Miseferi, and the final on Sunday 25 October, hosted by Gennaro Calabrese with Pino e gli Anticorpi, Rocco Barbaro, Vincenzo Albano and I Non Ti Regoli. The festival is produced by the association Calabria dietro le quinte, with artistic direction by Alessio Tagliento, a television writer for Zelig and Le Iene.

Semi-final and final, 23 and 25 October 2026

On 23 and 25 October 2026 the Teatro Francesco Cilea in Reggio Calabria hosts the closing nights of the National Cabaret Festival «Facce da Bronzi», now in its eleventh edition. These are not two performances of the same show: Friday 23 is the semi-final and Sunday 25 the final, the climax of a circuit that reaches Reggio after passing through Milan and Rome.

Tickets and times

Both evenings take place at Teatro Cilea starting at 21:00: the time of the 23 October semi-final is also confirmed by the theatre's season listings, which include the Premio Guerrieri 2026 on the same night. These are paid shows, with a separate ticket for each evening.

At the end of September prices and sales outlets had not yet been announced in the festival's press releases. For purchases, refer to the Teatro Cilea box office on Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi and to the social channels of the festival and of the association Calabria dietro le quinte, where presale information is published. Anyone wishing to see both the semi-final and the final will need two separate tickets.

The programme: hosts and guests

The semi-final on Friday 23 October is hosted by Marco Mauro and features, alongside the artists selected through the national circuit, guests Paolo Migone, Rocco Ciarmoli and Gigi Miseferi. The same evening sees the presentation of the Premio Guerrieri 2026 by Officina dell'Arte, an award recognising an artistic career.

The final on Sunday 25 October is hosted by comedian and impressionist Gennaro Calabrese. Alongside the competing finalists, the stage welcomes Pino e gli Anticorpi, Rocco Barbaro, Vincenzo Albano and I Non Ti Regoli. The names of the competing comedians are settled at the end of the selection rounds.

Competing comedians, guests and jury

The event brings to the city the finale of a national circuit devoted to comedy, with competing comedians, special guests and live performance designed to involve both audience and jury. It is the classic cabaret festival format: newcomers and familiar faces share the same stage, and those watching are not merely spectators, because the room's reaction shapes the evening.

A national circuit that ends in Reggio

The finals follow selection and warm-up rounds in Milan and Rome and partnerships with other national festivals: Faenza Cabaret - Premio Alberto Sordi, the Blue Marine festival in Marina di Camerota and Cabareboli in Eboli. It is this network that gives «Facce da Bronzi» a catchment wider than the local one, while remaining rooted in the name and imagery of the city.

Who organises the festival

«Facce da Bronzi» is conceived and produced by the cultural association Calabria dietro le quinte APS. Artistic direction is entrusted to Alessio Tagliento, a television writer who has worked on programmes such as Zelig, Le Iene and Made in Italy and on Rai and Mediaset productions.

The Teatro Francesco Cilea

The Teatro Francesco Cilea is at Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi 325, in the centre of Reggio Calabria. Between the semi-final and the final, on Saturday 24 October, the same theatre hosts Sigfrido Ranucci in «Diario di un trapezista»: visitors from out of town can plan a theatre weekend and look at accommodation in the area. The same autumn, the city also hosts other events on the bill.

Frequently asked questions

When are the Facce da Bronzi 2026 evenings in Reggio Calabria?

The semi-final on Friday 23 October and the final on Sunday 25 October 2026, both at 21:00.

Where can I buy tickets for Facce da Bronzi 2026?

At the end of September prices and presales had not yet been announced. Refer to the Teatro Cilea box office and to the official channels of the festival and of the association Calabria dietro le quinte.

Where are they held?

At the Teatro Francesco Cilea in Reggio Calabria, Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi 325.

Who hosts the evenings and who are the guests?

The semi-final is hosted by Marco Mauro with Paolo Migone, Rocco Ciarmoli and Gigi Miseferi; the final by Gennaro Calabrese with Pino e gli Anticorpi, Rocco Barbaro, Vincenzo Albano and I Non Ti Regoli.

Which edition is this?

The eleventh.

How do performers reach the finals?

Through selection rounds in Milan and Rome and partnerships with festivals such as Faenza Cabaret - Premio Alberto Sordi, Blue Marine and Cabareboli.

What is on stage?

Competing comedians, special guests and live performance, with the involvement of both audience and jury.

Related events and news

All Costa Viola events