What to do in and around Bologna during the San Lorenzo long weekend

The long weekend of San Lorenzo is the perfect opportunity to experience Bologna and its surrounding area from a new perspective, with a range of events, tours, outdoor activities and evening entertainment. From 8 to 10 August 2026, the city, the hills and the province offer a range of opportunities for those seeking culture, nature, music, local flavours and unusual places to discover.

In this guide, you’ll find a selection of events, experiences and ideas on what to do in Bologna for San Lorenzo, including free activities and those requiring booking, as well as interesting facts about the traditions surrounding 10 August. And if you’d like to end the day gazing up at the sky, there’s no shortage of suggestions for the best spots to watch the Perseids, which are expected to peak between 12 and 13 August 2026.

The Night of San Lorenzo

The Night of San Lorenzo is a poetic evening by and starring Isabella Ragonese who, drawing on the verses of ‘X Agosto’ by Giovanni Pascoli, brings to life the memory of the tragedy of the flight of 27 June 1980 bound for Palermo, which crashed near Ustica, through the voices of women. Poetry, music and remembrance await you at the Ustica Memorial Museum.

Where: Ustica Memorial Museum, Parco della Zucca, Via di Saliceto, 3/22 – Bologna
When: 10 August – 9.15 pm
Admission: free 

Calici di Stelle

For those who love raising a glass beneath the stars, Calici di Stelle is an invitation to slow down and savour the moment. This travelling wine-tasting event takes place at wineries across Emilia-Romagna. This year's edition features several municipalities across the Bologna area, offering wine tastings, live music and a convivial atmosphere under the sky on the Night of Wishes.

Choose from the following events:

1. Fontanelice – Imola Area
   Where: Historic centre of Fontanelice, entrance through Porta del Castello
   When: 10 August – from 8:00 pm
   Admission: Paid admission with advance booking on the official website
   
   
2. Castello di Serravalle – Bologna Apennines
   Where: Historic centre of the village
   When: 10 August – from 9:00 pm
   Admission: Paid admission with advance booking on the official website

CONSTELLATIONS MUSICAL MAPS Live Performance

In the hills of Bologna, on the evening before the Feast of St Lawrence, you can enjoy an immersive experience that sets the scene for the most famous starry night, featuring musical performances and scientific talks on the constellations organised by Scena Natura. A unique occasion set against a natural backdrop of exceptional beauty. 

Where: Fienile fluò – Teatro Calanchi, Via di Paderno, 9
When: 9 August – 10.00 pm
Admission: by payment, with booking via the official website

Marco Varvello, Scena Natura, via crexida.it

Open-air cinema

In the evening, when the light fades and the weather gradually begins to offer some respite from the sweltering heat, Bologna la Cinefila offers numerous screenings of films, including arthouse films, in the open air. From the ‘Sotto le stelle del Cinema’ festival to the Arena Puccini , there’s a packed programme.

Choose your favourite from: 

1. ‘Under the Stars of Cinema’: “We All Loved Each Other So Much” by Ettore Scola
   Where: Piazza Maggiore
   When: 10 August – 9.45
   pm Admission: free, subject to availability
2. Arena Puccini: “Super Mario Galaxy – The Movie” by Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath
   Where: Arena Puccini – Bologna Racecourse, Via dell’Arcoveggio 37/2
   When: 10 August – 9.30
   pm Admission: by payment with online booking ©Cineteca di Bologna

©Cineteca di Bologna

Why is St Lorenzo’s Day celebrated on 10 August?

The Night of St Lawrence is celebrated every year on 10 August and is linked to the figure of Lorenzo, a Christian deacon and martyr who lived in the 3rd century. According to tradition, the saint was killed in Rome during the persecutions under Emperor Valerian. His feast day has become deeply ingrained in Italian popular culture, combining religious remembrance, stories passed down through the generations and the observation of the summer sky.

When to see shooting stars

Although the feast day of St Lawrence falls on 10 August, the peak of the Perseids can also occur in the days that follow, generally between 10 and 13 August. To observe them, it is advisable to choose a dark spot, away from urban lighting, and look up at the sky after 10.00 pm, allowing your eyes time to adjust to the darkness.