Castelfolk

Set against the stunning backdrop of Castellano, a hamlet of Villa Lagarina, the festival returns, bringing together music, culture, traditional food and community spirit. This year marks an important milestone: for twenty-five years, Castelfolk has been bringing the "Destra Adige area" to life with major events, warm hospitality and a strong sense of togetherness.

Enjoy two weekends of unforgettable entertainment.

Friday, 31st of July

• 9:00 pm | DJ Matt Joe on the decks
  The festival kicks off with a DJ set guaranteed to get the whole of Trentino dancing. An Italian producer with more than ten albums to his name, three gold records and one platinum record, Matt Joe is best known for being part of one of Italy's longest-running and most successful dance projects, Musica da Giostra. Over the years he has collaborated with Gabry Ponte, Giorgio Vanni, Max Angioni and Eddy Veerus (Il Pagante). Opening the night will be DJs Franz and Matin Horizon, joined by vocalist Gabriele Purin.

Saturday, 1st of August

• 6:00 pm | Special talk: Marco Melandri tells his story
  From the international MotoGP circuits to his new life behind the DJ booth. A journey through speed, adrenaline and a passion for music, where the roar of engines gives way to the energy of sound. A unique opportunity to discover the more personal and creative side of a champion who continues to reinvent himself.
• 7:30 pm | Food court opens
• 9:00 pm | One Night Session: Marco Melandri + local DJs
  Local DJs Anze and Ivans, together with vocalist Leo Dossi, will warm up the dancefloor before the night's headline performance by Marco Melandri, who will bring his energetic and dynamic DJ set to the stage.

Second weekend: culture, tradition and regional encounters

Thursday, 6th of August

• 6:00 pm | Exhibition opening (former school building)
  In collaboration with the "Don Zanolli" Historical Research Laboratory:
• "Ombre e luce" Exhibition – Pencil and Charcoal, by artist Sara Tosin. A visual journey combining the precision of pencil drawing with the deep contrasts of charcoal.
  String Instruments Exhibition, celebrating the art of luthiery through the work of Mario Enrico Masenello alongside the legacy of master luthier Tullio Bertè (1928–2013).
• Permanent exhibitions (open from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm): family trees and historical photographs curated by the "Don Zanolli" Historical Research Laboratory, together with an exhibition of historic firefighting equipment from the Destra Adige Lagarina Fire Brigade.
• 7:00 pm | Castelfolk officially opens with the traditional "polenta concia"
• 7:30 pm | Food court opens
• 9:00 pm | "Ma che ne sanno i 2000" show
  A spectacular mix of music, videos, live entertainment, special effects and cosplay, celebrating the unforgettable hits of the 1990s and 2000s that defined a generation.

Friday, 7th of August – Rock Night & Afro Night

• 7:30 pm | Food court opens
• 9:00 pm | The Bastard Sons of Dioniso live
  The acclaimed Trentino power trio, formed in 2003 and runners-up on X-Factor in 2009, celebrate their only summer performance in the province in 2026 at Castelfolk. A chance to relive twenty years of rock, energy, gold records and awards, including the prestigious Lunezia Prize.
• 11:00 pm | Afro Night with Fabrizio Fattori
  A pioneer of Italy's Afro music scene, Fabrizio Fattori brings over forty years of musical research, blending African rhythms, Brazilian sounds, funk and world music influences.

Saturday, 8th of August – Umbria Region Day

• 2:30 pm | Discover the wonders of Lake Cei
  An easy circular hike exploring the protected Prà dell'Albi-Cei area and its rich biodiversity, through beech forests and wetlands. Organised in collaboration with the Municipality of Villa Lagarina and the Monte Bondone Nature Reserve Network. (Meeting point: Capitel de Doera. Maximum 25 participants. No dogs allowed. Bookings: reteriservebondone@gmail.com.)
• 4:00 pm | Cultural walk to Nambiol and wine tasting
  A guided walk led by a local history expert followed by a tasting of wines from Feudo Castel Bazom winery. (Hiking shoes and suitable clothing recommended. Duration: approximately 2 hours. Meeting point: festival marquee.)
• 4:30 pm | Baby dance for children and adults
• 5:00 pm | Concert by Liberatori & Musici (Perugia)
  A folk band of contemporary storytellers dedicated to preserving Umbrian folk songs and traditions.
• 5:30 pm | Traditional historical parade
  A colourful procession featuring the Agilla e Trasimeno folk group together with the famous flag throwers of Gubbio.
• 6:00 pm | Happy hour with potato tortel platter and aperitif
• 6:00 pm | Performance by Agilla e Trasimeno (Perugia)
  Traditional music, songs and dances accompanied by accordion, harpsichord, guitar and clarinet, evoking rural life around Lake Trasimeno in the late nineteenth century.
• 6:30 pm | Performance by the Gubbio Flag Throwers, Trumpeters and Drummers
  A spectacular display of medieval pageantry featuring flags, heraldry and historical traditions from the "City of Stone."
• 7:00 pm | Umbrian-Trentino dinner
  A special menu prepared by the Pro Loco of Baiano di Spoleto together with the Castelfolk team, featuring strangozzi alla baianese, Castelluccio lentils with Umbrian sausage and the traditional crescionda spoletina dessert.
• 7:30 pm | Live showcooking: the art of making strangozzi
  Volunteers from the Pro Loco of Baiano demonstrate the traditional handmade preparation of strangozzi pasta using the local technique known as a culu mossu, accompanied by stories told in verse.
• 8:15 pm & 8:45 pm | Further performances by the Umbrian historical groups
• 9:15 pm | Official twinning ceremony
  A formal gathering under the festival marquee with local authorities, representatives of the Castelfolk Association and visiting delegations celebrating cultural exchange between the two regions.
• 9:30 pm | GTO (Perugia) live
  For more than thirty years this Umbrian folk-rock band has blended local traditions with Balkan and South American influences, performing alongside artists such as Modena City Ramblers and Gogol Bordello.
• 11:00 pm | Viva Estate Tour 2026
  Radio Viva FM brings its music and entertainment to the festival with DJs and vocalists Giacomo De Grandis and Domus D. The event will be broadcast live on the radio.

Sunday, 9th of August

• 9:00 am | Breakfast Folk (in Castellano)
  Start the day with breakfast at the festival.
• 9:15 am | Sports and nature activities
• Castelfolk 2026 e-bike tour: departure at 9:30 am from Mori sports ground. A guided ride of moderate difficulty to Castellano via Loppio and Val di Gresta, accompanied by SIEB guides. (Bike rental: Claudio +39 348 4402388.)
• Nordic Walking excursion: departure at 9:45 am from the festival grounds. A 12 km route towards the Lake Cei basin with instructors from the Italian Nordic Walking School. (Information: Camelia +39 347 5776607.)
• 10:00 am | Chainsaw wood carving
  Live carving demonstration by artist William Rossi, transforming wood into gnomes, woodland animals and fantasy figures.
• 11:00 am | Happy hour with potato tortel platter and aperitif
• 11:30 am | Die Hallers live
  A lunchtime concert featuring Tyrolean music, traditional favourites and popular folk-pop hits.
• 12:00 pm | Food court opens
• 2:00 pm | Aerial silks workshop
  Hands-on workshop and open sessions for children, teenagers and adults, guided by the instructors of Elementi Aerial Acrobatics Dance.
• 3:00 pm | Children's workshop and alcohol-free aperitif, organised by the Macramé service of Villa Maria Cooperative.
• 3:30 pm | Baby dance for all ages
• 4:00 pm | Conference: "Umani e algoritmi: opportunità, rischi e sfide dell’intelligenza artificiale"
  A multidisciplinary discussion on the impact of artificial intelligence on today's society, from adolescent wellbeing and healthcare to employment and human rights. Speakers include psychologist and psychotherapist Dr Letizia Ciabattoni, constitutional law researcher Dr Marta Fasan (University of Trento), AI expert Dr Andrea Zorer (Confindustria Trento and Consorzio Trentino AI), and researcher Dr Floriano Zini (Free University of Bolzano and member of the board of Amnesty International Italy).
• 5:00 pm | Snack bar opens with burgers and chips
• 6:00 pm | Dog demonstration by the Italian Red Cross – Trento Committee
  Displays of agility, teamwork and communication between rescue dogs and their handlers.
• 7:00 pm | Full kitchen service begins with the complete traditional menu
• 7:30 pm | Aerial acrobatics and fire show
  Breathtaking performances featuring aerial choreography, LED shows, stilts and fire juggling by the Elementi group.
• 8:00 pm | Ballroom dancing under the marquee with Orchestra Jolanda Band
  Traditional ballroom dancing and group dances.
• 9:00 pm | DJ HaL & Sheila on the outdoor stage
  A DJ set blending house, techno, funk and dance music for younger audiences.
• 10:00 pm | Castelfolk raffle draw
• 11:00 pm | Fireworks and the burning of the castle
  The sky lights up with a spectacular fireworks display followed by the festival's iconic burning castle ceremony, celebrating the festival's twenty-fifth anniversary.
• Midnight | Pasta party for everyone
  A free late-night pasta feast to close the celebrations together.

The full programme is available here!

Sustainability, accessibility and outstanding live music have been the foundations of Castelfolk for twenty-five years, making it one of Trentino's most distinctive festivals. Every year it welcomes thousands of visitors while keeping its environmental impact to a minimum. By eliminating disposable tableware in favour of ceramic plates and reusable cutlery, offering high-quality local food at affordable prices and hosting free events for everyone, Castelfolk has become a model of environmentally responsible celebration. Honouring tradition while looking towards the future begins with taking care of the landscape that surrounds us.