Festival Italiano is a cultural initiative by the Italian Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg, inviting Joburgers to immerse themselves in the passion of Italian food, music and dance through a month-long programme of events taking place from 27 September to 24 October 2026.
Festival Italiano programme breakdown:
Gourmet SAGRA – Cuisine and Lifestyle
Experience the flavours and music of Italy at SAGRA 2026, Johannesburg’s premier Italian food and lifestyle festival. Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, wines, spritz and prosecco, alongside Italian fashion, leather goods and crafts.
Admire classic and modern Italian cars and motorbikes, while live music, entertainment and children’s activities create a vibrant family-friendly celebration of Italian culture.
Cost: From R120pp; R90 per child u/12; R30 per car (parking). Book via Quicket
When: Sunday, 27 September 2026 from 9am to 5pm
Where: Italian Sporting Club, 7 Marais Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston
“Pocket Circus” presented by Teatro Verde
Teatro Verde – one of Italy’s best-known theatre companies for children and families – presents Pocket Circus, a joyful and imaginative performance designed to entertain children, parents and the whole family.
Performed by the talented Gianluigi Capone, Pocket Circus brings together clowning, juggling, live music, puppets and audience interaction in a playful show where imagination takes centre stage.
Gianluigi creates stories using everyday objects, juggling clubs, balls, handkerchiefs and diablos. And there may even be a little fire!
Children of all ages are invited to play along, interact and become part of the show. Adults, meanwhile, can sit back and enjoy the fun too.
Cost: Free entry, reserve your spot here
When: Saturday, 17 October 2026 from 2pm to 3pm
Where: Italian Sporting Club, 7 Marais Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston
Concerto di Primavera (Spring Concert)
This spring concert kicks off Italian Cultural Week in South Africa with two global talents.
Internationally acclaimed Italian lyric soprano Silvia Di Falco and pianist Cristina Gianino present a captivating journey from timeless opera of Verdi, Puccini and Mascagni to beloved Neapolitan songs and contemporary works by Ludovico Einaudi.
There will also be light pre-concert snacks (inclusive of your ticket) being served from 5.30pm.
Cost: From R100pp, book via Quicket
When: Saturday, 17 October 2026 from 5pm to 8pm
Where: Italian Sporting Club, 7 Marais Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston
Movie screening: Tienimi Presente (Keep Me in Mind)
Tienimi Presente (2025) follows Alberto, a young, disillusioned director who is convinced that cinema has nothing left to offer him. But it is precisely by giving up on his dream that he discovers its deepest meaning.
The film will be screened in Italian and subtitled in English.
Cost: Free admission
When: Monday, 19 October 2026. Doors open at 5.30pm and screening starts at 6pm
Where: Dante Alighieri Johannesburg, 62 Houghton Dr, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg
Movie Screening: Breve Storia D’Amore (A Brief Love Story)
This 2025 romantic comedy is about Lea and Rocco, secret lovers who find their relationship taking a dark turn as Lea becomes obsessive, trying to insert herself into Rocco’s daily life.
The film will be screened in Italian and subtitled in English.
Cost: Free admission
When: Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Doors open at 5.30pm and screening starts at 6pm
Where: Dante Alighieri Johannesburg, 62 Houghton Dr, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg
Women in Jazz with Francesca Biancoli and Carlo Mombelli
Women in Opera – The Sicilian Duo
Afro-Italian Fusion brings together the emotional depth of iconic Italian songs with the freedom and soul of contemporary South African jazz.
At the heart of this jazz project is Carlo Mombelli (bass), a globally revered South African avant-garde composer and bassist, celebrated for his deeply emotional, cinematic textures and revolutionary approach to the instrument.
Joining him is Francesca Biancoli (vocals and guitar), an acclaimed independent artist from Bari, Italy, who has built a strong reputation in South Africa as a powerful sonic poet, blending Neo-Soul structures with progressive jazz phrasing. Supporting them are Nick Williams (piano) and Jonno Sweetman (drums).
Together, they reimagine masterpieces by Mina, Ornella Vanoni and Gino Paoli, transforming timeless Italian melodies into atmospheric, sensual and deeply expressive jazz improvisations. The result is an intimate yet adventurous musical dialogue between Italy and South Africa.
In addition, Silvia Di Falco, an internationally acclaimed Italian lyric soprano, and Cristina Gianino, an accomplished pianist known for her chamber music collaborations with opera singers, join forces again in a recital blending great opera arias from La traviata to Rigoletto with the beloved tradition of popular Italian song.
Their duo, born from the meeting of vocal artistry and refined pianism, takes audiences on a journey through timeless opera and cherished Italian melodies, marked by stage elegance and musical virtuosity.
Cost: R60pp, book via Quicket
When: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 from 7.30pm
Where: Italian Sporting Club, 7 Marais Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston
Movie screening: Brother Sun, Sister Moon
CineCentre, Killarney Mall hosts a special screening of Franco Zeffirelli’s Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972). The title of the film is drawn from Saint Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Sun”. Brother Sun, Sister Moon is a poetic and visually stunning classic of Italian cinema, celebrated for its music and message of peace, not to be missed on the big screen.
Cost: Free admission
When: Thursday, 22 October 2026 from 7pm
Where: CineCentre Killarney, Killarney Mall, 60 Riviera Rd, Killarney, Johannesburg
Southern Italy Folk Dances by TERRAROSS
Experience the energy and passion of Southern Italy with Terraross! For over 20 years, this vibrant ensemble has brought the irresistible rhythms, songs and traditions of Puglia and the Italian South to audiences around the world.
From the G7 in Borgo Egnazia to Moscow, Australia and Africa, Terraross turns every concert into a joyful and engaging celebration of Italian culture.
Opening the event are Paul and Christine Gioia, a brother-sister acoustic duo from Pretoria, celebrating their shared love of music and their Italian heritage. Longtime band musicians, they perform a blend of beloved Italian classics alongside American music.
Come for the music, stay for the energy!
Cost: R60pp, book via Quicket
When: Friday, 23 October 2026 from 7.30pm
Where: Italian Sporting Club, 7 Marais Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston
CINDERELLA TARANTELLA Musical
Cinderella Tarantella is a new production conceived by Mario Gaglione, associate choreographer of Joburg Ballet, blending classical and contemporary dance with the rhythmic energy of Apulian tarantella – an upbeat style of folk music hailing from southern Italy – played live by the folk group Terraross.
Performed by ten Joburg Ballet dancers, the roughly 60-minute piece reimagines the 17th-century Neapolitan Cinderella tale through music and movement, offering an immersive cultural exchange between Italy and South Africa.
Cost: R60pp, book via Quicket
When: Saturday, 24 October 2026 from 7.30pm
Where: Italian Sporting Club, 7 Marais Rd, Bedfordview, Germiston
Get in touch
Website: consjohannesburg.esteri.it/it/
Tel: 011 7285150
Facebook: @ConsJhb
Instagram: @italyinjohannesburg
See more live events in Joburg
