August 2026 in Bologna: Under the Stars of Cinema, Le Bolognesi, Windopen, San Lorenzo Night, Hamnet – In the Name of the Son
August is the perfect month to experience Bologna at a slower pace. The weather is undoubtedly hot, but the capital of Emilia-Romagna is home to its famous Porticoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, visitors can escape the heat during the warmest hours of the day while enjoying every street of the historic center in complete comfort.
While many locals head off on their summer holidays, the city continues to offer plenty of opportunities for entertainment, including open-air film festivals, concerts, exhibitions, cultural events and evening performances. With its picturesque squares and parks providing beautiful settings even on the hottest nights, Bologna continues to surprise visitors throughout the summer. Here’s what to see and do in Bologna in August 2026.
“Hamnet: In the Name of the Son” – August 7 and 22
At Arena Tivoli, located at Via Massarenti 418, Bologna hosts one of its many open-air cinemas. Among this summer’s standout screenings is “Hamnet – In the Name of the Son,” showing on Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 22, 2026, both beginning at 9:00 PM.
Directed by Chloé Zhao, the film opens with a young woman sleeping curled up within the exposed roots of an ancient tree. Dressed in deep red, accompanied by a falcon that responds to her calls, she possesses knowledge of herbs and potions, and legend has it that she was not born of her mother but of a mysterious woman from distant lands. Her name is Agnes, and when Will sees her, he immediately falls in love. Will is the young William Shakespeare, who marries Agnes despite the opposition of their families. Together they have three children: Susannah and the twins Judith and Hamnet. Tragedy strikes while Shakespeare is already working in London, and Hamnet’s death ultimately inspires the creation of Hamlet. The cast includes acclaimed actors Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, and Tom Hardy.
Museum for the Memory of Ustica at Parco della Zucca – August 10
In Bologna, August 10 is celebrated as the Night of San Lorenzo, famous for its shooting stars.
At the Museum for the Memory of Ustica, located in Parco della Zucca, the City of Bologna has organized a poetic evening featuring actress Isabella Ragonese.
Inspired by Giovanni Pascoli’s poem X Agosto, in which falling stars become a moving metaphor for the flight tragically interrupted on June 27, 1980, Ragonese entrusts the memory of the Ustica air disaster primarily to female voices—great poets who wrote about absence, the earth, flight and the mystery of destiny. Through their words, a collective historical wound is transformed into something deeply personal and profoundly human. The poetic journey is accompanied by evocative soundscapes created by Rodrigo D’Erasmo.
Under the Stars of Cinema – until August 14
Following last year’s success, Cinema Under the Stars returns to Piazza Maggiore until August 14.
Alongside the much-anticipated evening screenings in the city’s main square, audiences can also enjoy an outstanding afternoon program at Cinema Modernissimo—the historic cinema in the heart of Bologna, once again awarded the Golden Ticket as Italy’s highest-attended single-screen cinema in 2025.
The program features beautifully restored cinematic masterpieces that revolve around the heart of the Il Cinema Ritrovato festival, alongside tributes to legendary filmmakers and appearances by distinguished special guests.
Le Bolognesi at Galleria Modernissimo – throughout August
Throughout August, Galleria Modernissimo, located in the former underpass beneath Piazza Re Enzo, hosts a beautiful exhibition dedicated to a selection of images from the book Le Bolognesi. The collection consists of more than 5,500 photographs, including negatives and prints of various sizes, gathered from the archives of the Cineteca di Bologna and the private archive of Antonio Masotti, now fully catalogued and digitized.
Antonio Masotti’s Le Bolognesi is a heartfelt tribute to his hometown. Women are the undisputed protagonists of every image, portrayed as the true owners of the city they inhabit. The photographer captures faces and bodies with poetic honesty and authenticity, maintaining a respectful and open perspective in both posed portraits and spontaneous street photography.
The curators conceived this exhibition as a walk through Bologna during the late 1950s and early 1960s, imagining a dialogue with the Paris of the same era—a connection visitors can experience simply by turning the corner to explore the wonderful exhibition “Viva Varda! Cinema is Female.”
Windopen at Biblioteca Salaborsa – until August 31
Throughout August, Biblioteca Salaborsa, in its Music Room, hosts an exhibition dedicated to Windopen.
Founded in 1976, Windopen became one of the most representative bands of the historic Bologna Rock movement. They were among the founders of the musical scene that emerged from the basement rehearsal spaces at Via San Vitale 13, helping shape Bologna’s musical identity during the transition from the turbulent 1970s into the 1980s.
The exhibition features photographs capturing intimate moments, everyday life and live performances—powerful images that tell the story of one of the most vibrant music scenes in the recent history of Bologna’s popular music, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation. The exhibition is complemented by original video footage and a playlist featuring the complete Windopen discography.
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.
Click here to read about the room features, see photos, discover all the extra services, and book your stay!
