# Castelbuono è una Favola, children's theatre

> Castelbuono è una Favola: a children's theatre festival in early July, with free shows for ages 4 and up in the Parco delle Rimembranze and the old town.

- Page: https://www.lemadonie.it/en/events/castelbuono-e-una-favola/
- Updated: 2026-10-19
- Other languages: [Italiano](https://www.lemadonie.it/eventi/castelbuono-e-una-favola.md) · [Español](https://www.lemadonie.it/es/eventos/castelbuono-e-una-favola.md) · [Français](https://www.lemadonie.it/fr/evenements/castelbuono-e-una-favola-theatre-enfants.md) · [Deutsch](https://www.lemadonie.it/de/veranstaltungen/castelbuono-e-una-favola.md)

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| 2026 edition | 1 – 5 July 2026 |
| Where | Parco delle Rimembranze, Largo Suor Rosina La Grua, Via Petagna, Via Leonardo Piraino and the Eremo di Liccia, [Castelbuono](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/castelbuono/) |
| Category | Culture |
| Recurrence | Every year, early July, four to five days |
| Organiser | Comune di Castelbuono, Compagnia I Trovatori |
| Price | Free entry |
| Source | https://www.madoniepress.it/2026/06/27/castelbuono-diventa-il-borgo-delle-fiabe-torna-il-festival-dedicato-ai-ragazzi/ (checked on 2026-10-19) |

## Programme

Children's theatre, workshops and free shows for ages 4 and up. Artistic director Giuseppe Vignieri, organised by the Compagnia I Trovatori.

Castelbuono è una Favola is the theatre festival for children and families in [Castelbuono](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/castelbuono/). It takes place in early July, between the Parco delle Rimembranze and a few streets in the centre, and all the shows are free and suitable for ages 4 and up. In 2026 it ran from Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 July: for the first time, five days in a row.

It is promoted by the Comune di Castelbuono, with artistic direction by Giuseppe Vignieri and organisation by the Compagnia I Trovatori. In 2025 it reached its 29th edition.

## How it works

In the afternoon the shows move around the neighbourhoods: in 2026 there were performances in Largo Suor Rosina La Grua (at the corner of Via Benedettini and Via Ypsigro), in Via Petagna and in Via Leonardo Piraino. In the evening everyone meets in the Parco delle Rimembranze, the heart of the festival, for the visiting companies' show.

Part of the programme is made by the village's own children. These are the end-of-year performances of the “Pronti, sipario!” theatre workshop, which the Compagnia I Trovatori runs during the year with Castelbuono's girls and boys. It is the moment when the workshop gives a year's work back to the village.

## The 2026 programme

These are some of the shows and activities of the 2026 edition, from the programme published by Madonie Press and Castelbuonolive:

| Show or activity | Who | Where and when |
|---|---|---|
| Mata e Grifone | Compagnia Teatro dei 3 Mestieri | Parco delle Rimembranze, 21:00 |
| Cappuccetto Rozzo | Compagnia La Casa di Creta | Parco delle Rimembranze, 21:00 |
| Il Mago di Oz | students of Stefania Sperandeo's workshop | Parco delle Rimembranze, 20:30 |
| La Disavventura di Pinocchio and Le avventure di Giufà | “Pronti, sipario!” students | Largo Suor Rosina La Grua |
| Sogno di una notte di mezza estate | Piccolo Teatro Patafisico | Via Petagna, 17:30 |
| Il paese delle meraviglie | Utopia Piccola Società Teatrale | Via Leonardo Piraino, 17:30 |
| Il filo invisibile, creative reading workshop | 3EMME | Parco delle Rimembranze, 18:30 |
| Le tracce del sole, cyanotype exhibition and demonstration | Francesco Norata and Stefano Minutella | Eremo di Liccia, Saturday 4 July at 10:00 |
| Walk in the Madonie woods | Agesci Castelbuono 1 scout group | starting from the Eremo di Liccia, Sunday 5 July at 10:00 |

The two mornings at the Eremo di Liccia are a way to get out of the village with children without going far. If you want to walk more, there is the walk in the [Bosco di Castelbuono](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/trails/bosco-di-castelbuono-giant-hollies/), from Piano Sempria to the giant holly trees.

## Past editions

The dates change every year but always fall in the first half of July:

- **2026**: 1 to 5 July, five days from Wednesday to Sunday;
- **2025**: 10 to 13 July, 29th edition, with an intensive theatre camp at the Seminario Vescovile supported by the Fondazione Sicilia and the show “Narrastorie” in the Santa Croce quarter;
- **2024**: 4 to 7 July, 28th edition, with two talks for adults at the Badia.

## Practical tips

Castelbuono is about 23 km from Cefalù (25 minutes) and about 90 km from Palermo (1 hour 20), according to our calculation on OpenStreetMap without traffic. The programme does not mention dedicated parking: the shows are in the centre, within walking distance of each other.

For the night there is the list of [where to stay in Castelbuono](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/castelbuono/where-to-stay/); for dinner with children, [where to eat in Castelbuono](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/castelbuono/where-to-eat/). The evening shows are outdoors, so check the [Castelbuono weather](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/weather/castelbuono/).

Castelbuono's summer continues with the [feast of Sant'Anna](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/events/festa-di-santanna-castelbuono/) at the end of July, the [Ypsigrock Festival](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/events/ypsigrock-festival/) and the [Castelbuono Jazz Festival](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/events/castelbuono-jazz-festival/) in August. All the dates are on the [Castelbuono events](https://www.lemadonie.it/en/villages/castelbuono/events/) page.

## Past editions

- 2025: 10 – 13 July 2025. [Source](https://www.balarm.it/eventi/teatro-gioco-e-storie-per-tutti-tornano-gli-eventi-di-castelbuono-e-una-favola-139554)
- 2024: 4 – 7 July 2024. [Source](https://www.balarm.it/eventi/teatro-per-bambini-ma-non-solo-la-nuova-edizione-di-castelbuono-e-una-favola-132624)

## Frequently asked questions

### When is Castelbuono è una Favola?

The festival takes place in early July. In 2026 it ran from Wednesday 1 to Sunday 5 July, for the first time over five days; in 2025 from 10 to 13 July, in 2024 from 4 to 7 July. The programme usually comes out at the end of June.

### Are the Castelbuono è una Favola shows free?

All the 2026 events were free, including the workshops and outdoor activities, as in previous editions. No ticket is needed: just turn up at the time listed in the programme, which the council and the Compagnia I Trovatori publish before the festival.

### What age are the shows for?

The 2026 shows were designed for children aged 4 and up and their families. Alongside the visiting companies there are performances by Castelbuono's young people who attend the year-round “Pronti, sipario!” theatre workshop.

### Where do the shows take place?

The main venue is the Parco delle Rimembranze, where the evening shows are held. In the afternoon there are performances in Largo Suor Rosina La Grua (between Via Benedettini and Via Ypsigro), in Via Petagna and in Via Leonardo Piraino. In 2026 two morning activities started from the Eremo di Liccia, in the woods above the village.

### Who organises the festival?

It is promoted by the Comune di Castelbuono, with artistic direction by Giuseppe Vignieri and organisation by the Compagnia I Trovatori. In 2026 the GEM Saltimatti Castelbuono collaborated, and companies such as Teatro dei 3 Mestieri, La Casa di Creta, DiAria and Utopia Piccola Società Teatrale took part.

### Where to stay in Castelbuono with children in July?

Castelbuono has plenty of places to stay, but July is a busy month: between late July and August there are the feast of Sant'Anna, Ypsigrock and the Jazz Festival. Book early and check the list of where to stay in Castelbuono. Cefalù, about 23 km away, is the seaside alternative.

## Sources

- [Castelbuonolive, Castelbuono è una Favola 2026](https://www.castelbuonolive.com/torna-castelbuono-e-una-favola-2026-cinque-giorni-di-teatro-laboratori-e-spettacoli-per-tutta-la-famiglia/)
- [Madonie Press, programma 2026 (27 giugno 2026)](https://www.madoniepress.it/2026/06/27/castelbuono-diventa-il-borgo-delle-fiabe-torna-il-festival-dedicato-ai-ragazzi/)
- [Balarm, 29ª edizione (2025)](https://www.balarm.it/eventi/teatro-gioco-e-storie-per-tutti-tornano-gli-eventi-di-castelbuono-e-una-favola-139554)
- [Balarm, 28ª edizione (2024)](https://www.balarm.it/eventi/teatro-per-bambini-ma-non-solo-la-nuova-edizione-di-castelbuono-e-una-favola-132624)

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Markdown version of the page https://www.lemadonie.it/en/events/castelbuono-e-una-favola/, from Le Madonie (lemadonie.it), an independent guide to the Madonie. Facts with source and date of check.