Summer 2026 brings to Como a series of free outdoor performances designed for children and families. It is called Como Racconta and is one of the most anticipated events of the summer season in the city. If you are looking for things to do with children in Como on weekends in June and July, you have found the right answer.
What is Como Racconta
Como Racconta is the theatre festival for children and families promoted by the Municipality of Como as part of the programme Como… che Spettacolo! – The 2026 Summer Events Festival. The initiative offers open-air performances every weekend, with a format designed to introduce younger audiences to theatre, clowning, puppetry and object theatre.
Admission is completely free: no ticket, no booking required. Just arrive, take a seat and enjoy the show.
When and where the performances take place
All performances take place at the Giardini a Lago di Como, one of the city’s most scenic locations, directly overlooking the lake.
The events are held every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am, from June to July 2026.
In case of bad weather, the performances will be postponed.
The June 2026 programme
The festival begins at the end of June with four events:
Saturday 20 June – 11:00 am
Teatro dell’Aleph presents Parata delle Fate e Voci del Bosco Parade starting from Piazza Duomo + performance with actors and stilt walkers
Sunday 21 June – 11:00 am
Momom Soc. Coop. Soc. presents Gocce, Liocorni e Arcobaleni Animation show
Saturday 27 June – 11:00 am
Ortoteatro presents Paolino e gli Spiriti del Fiume Actors and puppets
Sunday 28 June – 11:00 am
Teatro dei Burattini di Como presents Per Fare un Albero… Actors, puppets and soft puppets
The July 2026 programme
July is the richest month of the festival, with eight performances spread across the weekends:
Saturday 4 July – 11:00 am
Silvia De Bastiani presents Storie di Lupi Actress with puppets
Sunday 5 July – 11:00 am
All’incirco presents Ecomonsters Puppets and actors
Saturday 11 July – 11:00 am
Il Cerchio Tondo presents L’Albero delle Storie Object theatre
Sunday 12 July – 11:00 am
Teatro dell’Aleph presents Getta Semi di Gioia e di Allegria Clowning
Saturday 18 July – 11:00 am
Il Cerchio Tondo presents L’Omino dei Sogni Actor, puppets and live music
Sunday 19 July – 11:00 am
Fata Morgana by and with Marta Stoppa presents Erbe e Malerbe, Storie di Piccoli e Verdi Meraviglie Storytelling with objects
Saturday 25 July – 11:00 am
La casa degli gnomi by and with Lucia Osellieri presents La Casa degli Gnomi Actors and soft puppets
Sunday 26 July – 11:00 am
Teatro dei Burattini di Como presents Streghe, Maghi e Draghi Puppets
Why take children to Como Racconta
There are good reasons to mark these dates in your calendar.
First of all, the variety of formats: every performance is different from the next. The programme ranges from clowning to puppetry, from object theatre to storytelling with objects. Children have the chance to discover different theatrical languages, all specifically designed for their age group.
Then there is the location: the Giardini a Lago are one of the most beautiful places in Como. Watching an outdoor performance with the lake in the background is an experience that is hard to forget.
Finally, the fact that it is free. In a summer when the cost of living weighs heavily on families, having twelve quality cultural events available without spending a euro is a real benefit.
FAQ
Are the Como Racconta performances free?
Yes. All performances in the festival are free and open to everyone. Booking is not required.
What happens if it rains?
In case of bad weather, the performances will be postponed. Before setting off, check the updates on oggiacomo.it or on the Municipality of Como’s social media channels.
What age are the performances suitable for?
The festival is designed for children and families. In general, object theatre, puppetry and animation shows are well suited for children aged 3-4 and above. Some titles may also be suitable for younger children.
Where are the Giardini a Lago di Como located?
The Giardini a Lago are located along Como’s lakefront, in the city centre, and are easy to reach on foot from Como San Giovanni station and Piazza Cavour.
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