Ottobrata Sidernese 2026 – Siderno Autumn Festival

Corso della Repubblica, Siderno Marina · Siderno, Costa Viola, Calabria

24 October 2026 – 25 October 2026

On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026 the Ottobrata Sidernese – Festival d'Autunno (Autumn Festival) returns, organised by the municipality of Siderno with the Calabria Region, Calabria Straordinaria, the Pro Loco and the town's youth council. Because of building work at the open-air theatre in Siderno Superiore, this year the festival moves down to Siderno Marina, along Corso della Repubblica and the squares of the town centre. It opens on Saturday at 10am with the town band and the craft and food stands; all weekend there is a wine area with eighteen Calabrian wineries, street performers, markets and talks. On Sunday at 10pm Eugenio Bennato closes the festival with a concert in Piazza Risorgimento. The official sources mention no entrance ticket.

Dates, venue and organisers of the 2026 edition

The Ottobrata Sidernese – Festival d'Autunno takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026. It is run by the municipality of Siderno, led by mayor Mariateresa Fragomeni: councillor Carmelo Scarfò devised and coordinates it, and Michele Macrì is the artistic director. Partners are the Calabria Region, Calabria Straordinaria, the Pro Loco Siderno and the youth council; the poster also carries the logo of the GAL Terre Locridee.

The big change this year is the venue. The festival is normally held in the medieval village of Siderno Superiore, but work on its open-air theatre has moved it down to Siderno Marina, along Corso della Repubblica and the main squares of the centre; it is expected to return to the old village next year. The event is back after a two-year break: the fifth edition was held on 31 October and 1 November 2024.

Saturday 24 October: town band, talks and a painting contest

Day one starts at 10am with a concert by the Città di Siderno town band and the opening of the craft and food stands. At 11am the council chamber hosts a talk by Coldiretti, the farmers' association, on healthy eating, followed by a meeting of the young members of Confindustria Reggio Calabria on opportunities for young people to come back and work in their home region.

In the afternoon, at 4.45pm in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, prizes are awarded for the “Autunno a Siderno” (Autumn in Siderno) open-air painting contest for students of the Pitagora art school. At 5.30pm, again in the council chamber, the association Gente in Aspromonte previews its 2027 programme of hikes; afterwards music promoter Ruggero Pegna presents his book “Il cacciatore di meduse” (The Jellyfish Hunter).

Sunday 25 October: masterclass, poetry dinner and Eugenio Bennato

On Sunday at 11am the Fondazione Italiana Sommelier runs a masterclass with local wine producers, followed by a tasting in Piazza Vittorio Veneto served as a shared aperitivo. At 6pm the council chamber hosts a talk organised by the Partito Democratico on Europe after the PNRR recovery plan and southern Italy, then a talk by the Associazione Psicologi titled “L'autunno dentro” (Autumn within), led by Francesco Falletti and Giuseppe Figliomeni. During the day there is also “Trovalu”, a quirky treasure hunt run by the social media group Iamunindi with YMCA Siderno.

At 8pm Palazzo Lanzafame hosts “Sapori e memorie”, an evening of poetry and traditional food with poet Martino Ricupero and chef Francesco Trichilo. At 10pm in Piazza Risorgimento, Neapolitan singer-songwriter Eugenio Bennato, a co-founder of the Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare, closes the outdoor programme.

Eighteen wineries, crafts and street entertainment

The food and wine heart of the festival is the wine area, where eighteen Calabrian wineries show their labels and offer tastings, with the Fondazione Italiana Sommelier and the Federazione Italiana Vignaioli Indipendenti (the Italian federation of independent winegrowers). The names of the wineries have not been published.

Throughout the weekend the streets are filled with street performers and street bands, craft markets run by the Chicca association, and jewellery, make-up and hair workshops by Lucia Revolution. The stage in Piazza Risorgimento hosts the Note Danzanti and Danza in Movimento dance schools. The Gruppo Astrofili della Locride sets up a stargazing point, and the Seniors Siderno social centre and the Generazione Nuova association run a book swap. A dedicated space displays artworks made from recycled materials during the town's environmental day on 16 October.

Where it takes place and how to get to Siderno Marina

The festival fills Corso della Repubblica, the main street of Siderno Marina, and the nearby squares: Piazza Vittorio Veneto for prize-givings and tastings, Piazza Risorgimento for the stage and the closing concert. Talks are held in the council chamber, and the Sunday evening event in Palazzo Lanzafame.

Siderno lies on the Ionian coast, in the middle of the Locride area, and the SS106 coastal road runs through it. From the A2 motorway, exit at Rosarno and take the Jonio-Tirreno expressway (SS682) to Marina di Gioiosa Ionica, then follow the SS106 for a few kilometres towards Locri. By train, get off at Siderno station on the Ionian line linking Reggio Calabria and Taranto. The sources do not mention dedicated parking or shuttle buses.

Admission and practical information

The official sources mention no tickets: the stands, street shows, talks and Eugenio Bennato's concert all take place in the streets, squares and public buildings of the town centre. Details of the wine tastings, such as the price of a glass or whether the Sunday masterclass needs booking, have not been published: if you are interested, ask at the wine area stands or contact the Pro Loco Siderno.

The programme runs from 10am on Saturday to 10pm on Sunday, so it helps to pick the events you care about in advance. Daylight saving time ends during Saturday night: on Sunday 25 the clocks go back one hour, worth remembering if you are coming for the 11am masterclass.

Siderno Superiore and the surrounding area

With more than 17,000 inhabitants, Siderno is the largest town on the Ionian coast between Reggio Calabria and Catanzaro. It has two parts: the old village of Siderno Superiore, on a hill at about 194 metres, which usually hosts the Ottobrata, and Siderno Marina, the modern town that grew along the Costa dei Gelsomini (Jasmine Coast), where the festival is held this year.

If you have time, drive up to the old village, a few kilometres from the centre, with its historic palazzi. Siderno also holds the title of “Città che legge” (reading city), renewed for a second three-year term by Italy's national centre for books and reading, and in October it hosts other events of the town's “Siderno si veste d'autunno” programme. For other events in Calabria the same weekend, see the events calendar.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2026 Ottobrata Sidernese?

On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026. The programme starts on Saturday at 10am and ends on Sunday at 10pm with Eugenio Bennato's concert.

Why is it not in Siderno Superiore this year?

Because of building work at the old village's open-air theatre: the 2026 edition is held in Siderno Marina, along Corso della Repubblica and the town-centre squares. It is expected to return to Siderno Superiore next year.

When and where does Eugenio Bennato play?

On Sunday 25 October at 10pm, in Piazza Risorgimento in Siderno Marina.

Is admission free?

The official sources mention no entrance ticket: the festival takes place in the streets and squares. Any cost for the wine tastings has not been published.

How many wineries take part?

Eighteen Calabrian wineries, with the Fondazione Italiana Sommelier and the Federazione Italiana Vignaioli Indipendenti. On Sunday at 11am there is a masterclass with local producers.

What else is there besides wine?

Craft markets, street performers and bands, jewellery and make-up workshops, dance schools on the Piazza Risorgimento stage, stargazing, a book swap and the “Trovalu” treasure hunt.

How do I get to Siderno?

By car on the SS106 coastal road or, from the A2, on the Jonio-Tirreno expressway from Rosarno to Marina di Gioiosa Ionica; by train to Siderno station on the Ionian line.

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