Palermo’s Festival di Morgana 2026: puppet shows, free events and €3 bookings

Palermo’s Festival di Morgana returns from 5 to 22 November 2026, offering a way to explore the city’s puppet-theatre traditions without committing to an expensive night out. Some performances require a €3 reservation, while other events are free, with entry limited by available space.

The 51st edition centres on the Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum in the Kalsa district. The festival began in 1975 and brings Sicilian Opera dei Pupi together with international theatre, exhibitions, workshops and documentary screenings.

Choose a performance, not just a festival date

The programme stretches across several weekends, so check the individual listing before heading out. At the museum, Pinocchio spacca l’Opra is scheduled for 7 November at 21:15 and 8 November at 11:00. Turkish artist Cengiz Ozek’s Garbage Monster follows on 13 and 14 November at 21:15, and 15 November at 17:00.

The official booking page also lists Spanish artist David Espinosa’s Dark Times on 19 November at 21:15 and 20 November at 18:00. These are separate performances, not a single ticket covering the whole festival.

• Explore more local traditions in our guide to Italy’s festivals and celebrations.

What is free, and what needs booking?

According to the organiser’s 2026 programme and practical information, museum performances from 7 November require a reservation costing €3. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the start. The ticket platform says bookings are non-refundable but can be transferred to another person.

Performances at the former church of San Mattia ai Crociferi, and all other festival events, have free entry while places last. That includes Iranian company Saina Puppet Theatre Group’s Kheymeh Shab Bazi, scheduled there on 13, 14 and 15 November. Free entry does not guarantee a seat.

Plan your visit

The museum is at Piazzetta Antonio Pasqualino 5, off Via Butera. San Mattia ai Crociferi is at Via Torremuzza 18B, so check which venue your chosen show uses.

The organiser offers free reservations for disabled visitors and an accompanying person, subject to capacity, requested at least 48 hours before the event. Its practical guide explains venue access and the booking contact. Check language and access arrangements for your chosen performance rather than assuming every show has the same support.

Illustrative Palermo street scene, not a Festival di Morgana performance. Photo: Mstyslav Chernov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.