June 2026 in Bologna: Agnès Varda and Il Cinema Ritrovato, Metallica, Tiziano Ferro and Max Pezzali at Dall’Ara, Art City at the Golinelli Arts and Science Center
When the weather is still pleasant and summer is just around the corner, June arrives in Bologna. This time of year brings a lively and energetic atmosphere to the city. Evenings grow longer, outdoor events take center stage, and the calendar fills up with concerts, festivals, shows and cultural initiatives.
The days become very long, but our porticoes — a UNESCO World Heritage site — offer shelter from the sun for both locals and tourists, while warm summer nights are the kind that stay in your memory forever. Here’s what to do and what to see in Bologna in June 2026.
The month of cinema in Bologna – June 2026
Cinema, exhibitions and evening screenings return to the city center. Throughout the entire month of June, the monographic exhibition dedicated to Agnès Varda will be on display. She was the first female director to receive an Honorary Academy Award and won prizes at Cannes, Venice, Berlin and Locarno.
The exhibition takes place at Galleria Modernissimo (the former underpass of Piazza Re Enzo) and spans 1,200 square meters dedicated to one of the most unique figures in the history of cinema, art, photography and political and cultural activism between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It actually runs from March 5, 2026 until January 10, 2027.
Films, photographs, installations, memorabilia and costumes: the exhibition “Viva Varda!” tells the story of a personal, creative and multifaceted body of work that embraces painting, the Nouvelle Vague, Jacques Demy, theatre and even cats, as well as cultural icons such as Fidel Castro, Jim Morrison, Jane Birkin, Catherine Deneuve, Marcello Mastroianni, Madonna and Jean‑Luc Godard. A true globe-trotting artist, Varda built a career that earned her international fame. Her work, deeply marked by feminist commitment, is presented in the exhibition in all its contemporary relevance.
But that’s not all. The prestigious film festival Il Cinema Ritrovato will also return to the center of Bologna, bringing screenings to Piazza Maggiore and various locations across the city from June 20 to June 28, 2026.
Bologna will host the 40th edition of the festival with a rich program of screenings across the city and open-air evening projections. Organized by the Cineteca di Bologna, the event is a paradise for cinephiles, with films playing from morning until night. If you love movies and everything behind them, this is an event you absolutely cannot miss.
Concerts at Stadio Dall’Ara: Metallica, Tiziano Ferro and Max Pezzali – June 3, 14 and 27-28, 2026
Bologna’s music scene is packed with major events and high-profile concerts. The city has received approval to host shows featuring exceptional guests who have made the history of both Italian and international music.
The concerts begin with Metallica at 8:30 PM on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The band, known for its fierce rhythms and explosive aggression, has spent more than forty years leading the charge as one of the most iconic and influential forces in thrash metal. Last year they announced the Metallica: M72 World Tour, and the Italian stop will take place at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna.
But that’s not all: two great Italian artists will also perform at the home stadium of Bologna FC 1909 — first Tiziano Ferro, and then Max Pezzali.
Tiziano Ferro, who rose to fame in the early 2000s, returns with a tour across Italy’s major stadiums. He will perform in Bologna on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 9:00 PM. The STADI26 tour is a perfect opportunity to experience the city while enjoying a weekend of concerts, culture and relaxation. The artist will bring an engaging show full of emotions and major hits that have marked more than twenty years of his career.
Finally, Max Pezzali — former frontman of the historic group 883 — will take the stage at the Dall’Ara on Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28, 2026, starting at 9:00 PM. With his national Max Forever tour, he will once again make the audience dance and sing at the top of their lungs, continuing the tour throughout the year in arenas and stadiums.
Tattoo Convention at DumBO – June 13-14, 2026
Just steps from the Ghisiliera B&B at DumBO, the Tattoo Convention arrives in Bologna. Two days (June 13 and 14) dedicated to the art of tattooing in a context of urban regeneration. The Tattoo Convention will bring together 80 selected tattoo artists, including Italian and international artists, who will present their style and artistic research.
During the event, you can meet the artists, watch live shows, participate in the Tattoo Party with DJ sets, and experience the convention atmosphere with merchandise, food & beverage, and many other activities! An event for tattoo enthusiasts, the curious, and industry professionals: two days of art, music, and contemporary culture!
Second edition of Art City at the Golinelli Arts and Science Center – until June 28, 2026
The Fondazione Golinelli presents the second chapter of the exhibition series dedicated to the Marino Golinelli Collection. After the success of the first edition, “I preferiti di Marino. Capitolo II – Opus Mundi” will showcase more than 50 artworks until June 28, 2026, highlighting the boundless curiosity of Marino Golinelli and his vision toward the world and the future.
The collection — created through more than thirty years of travels and research together with his wife Paola Pavirani Golinelli — brings together artists from diverse backgrounds at the Centro Arti e Scienze Golinelli, offering a multicultural perspective that reflects today’s global world.
Through the artworks, visitors encounter the major themes shaping our present — from ecological and technological transitions to geopolitical conflicts and migration — alongside a reflection on the future of humanity.
Opus Mundi is a journey that intertwines global visions and personal perspectives, giving visitors the opportunity to travel through the geographies and sensitivities that shaped Marino Golinelli’s worldview. It is not only an exhibition but also a place for dialogue and learning: the project creates spaces for exchange with younger generations thanks to a program of special events ranging from art and dance to theatre and digital technologies.
If you don’t want to miss these events and live outside of Bologna, we recommend booking accommodation in the city center for a unique and immersive experience. Where? At the Ghisiliera B&B, a property with 40 square meters of apartments located in a strategic position for exploring Bologna like a true local.
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