Puppet shows at Palazzo Pepoli | February-April 2026

At Palazzo Pepoli | Museum of the History of Bologna, you can immerse yourself in the fantastic world of puppets.

In the theater specially dedicated to them, the best of the classical Bologna school puppet repertoire is performed: every month different shows are presented, full of fun and rediscovery of tradition.

Show schedule:

Performances take place every Saturday and Sunday until April 19, with two showings at 16:00 and 17:30, in the Puppet Theater inside the museum.

For the special show on Monday, April 6, the performance is at 16:00, in the Museum Culture Hall.

February 2026:

• Saturday 7 February at 16:00 and 17:30
  Tappi e bottiglie
  Balanzone has ordered to bottle out-of-season a batch of wine gifted to his home from distant lands. The occasion is favorable for the servants Fagiolino and Sganapino, who waste no time tasting without restraint between corking... But something strange happens, and the delicacies, wines, and liquors in the cellar are disappearing too quickly! Something seems out of control...
  
  
• Sunday 8 February at 16:00 and 17:30
  Maschere a Bologna
  It’s Carnival: for the occasion, Fagiolino and Sganapino have joined many other characters and masks from everywhere... After the classic welcome, hilarious adventures await! An unmissable appointment to laugh together under the sign of the ancient Bolognese puppet tradition.
  
  
• Saturday 14 February at 16:00 and 17:30
  Fagiolino e Isabella innamorati al Pratello
  We are the most beautiful couple in the world, sang Adriano Celentano and Claudia Mori, and so claim the two Bolognese puppets who are the protagonists of this story. Even wooden heads can live as a couple through highs and lows, misunderstandings, and reconciliations, always aiming for peace.
  
  
• Sunday 15 February at 16:00 and 17:30
  Morti per pagare i debiti
  The tricks to avoid paying creditors, who come in droves searching for Fagiolino and Sganapino, have run out. But then Fagiolino, now exasperated, has a crazy yet effective idea to get out of trouble once and for all without seeking more money that doesn't exist... Expect surprises and laughter!
  
  
• Saturday 21 February at 16:00 and 17:30
  Farse per tutta la famiglia
  Fagiolino and Sganapino, armed only with a stick and a broom, give playful whacks to those who deserve it! Along the way, they meet Doctor Balanzone, who dispenses wise advice to finish the show cheerfully with a valuable moral.
  
  
• Sunday 22 February at 16:00 and 17:30
  L'avvocato Patapì
  Fagiolino ends up in prison due to an unfortunate misunderstanding (his version). Fortunately, his friend Doctor Balanzone arrives to defend him as a lawyer. Twists and turns follow rapidly until the judge finally decides if Fagiolino is guilty or innocent... Let's hope for the best!
  
  
• Saturday 28 February at 16:00 and 17:30
  Bastoncino canterino
  Not everyone knows that Fagiolino and Sganapino are also skilled singers, performing quirky serenades under the windows of Bolognese residents for a fee. Most of the audience enjoys and helps the two friends, but someone is scheming in the shadows to sabotage their expected performances.

March 2026:

• Sunday 1 March at 16:00 and 17:30
  Il castello degli spaventi
  Due to gambling debts, Fagiolino flees Bologna... Walking through a forest, he meets the powerful African Wizard who shows him how to get rich and solve his problems... He must go to a gloomy castle and shave the skeleton that lives there. Will our hero overcome all his fears?
  
  
• Saturday 7 March at 16:00 and 17:30
  Sganapino galeotto
  Desdemona is desperate because her husband Sganapino has not returned home for several days. She begins searching and discovers he has been arrested. Once reunited, they try to figure out how to free Sganapino. Fun guaranteed!
  
  
• Sunday 8 March at 16:00 and 17:30
  W la Pulidora
  Puppets celebrate International Women’s Day: our protagonist is Pulidora Beccafichi, a sprightly old lady symbolizing emancipation and freedom. Strange phenomena occur in her hotel room at night, and only Fagiolino and Sganapino can reveal the mysteries and create a real twist.
  
  
• Saturday 14 March at 16:00 and 17:30
  Farse divertentissime
  Hilarious adventures await! The protagonists, Bolognese puppets Fagiolino and Sganapino, inseparable friends, always find clever ways to deal with their hunger. An unmissable chance to laugh together in the ancient Bolognese puppet tradition.
  
  
• Sunday 15 March at 16:00 and 17:30
  Prigione che passione
  Fagiolino and Sganapino are in love with Doctor Balanzone’s daughters, but the director of the ancient San Giovanni in Monte prison doesn’t approve. How can they get closer to the girls if not by attempting to go to prison?
  
  
• Saturday 21 March at 16:00 and 17:30
  Il risveglio di Fata Primavera
  On the first day of spring, Fagiolino, Sganapino, and their companions go on a countryside outing. Between gardens and woods, they encounter challenges for environmental protection and meet a mythical fairy.
  
  
• Sunday 22 March at 16:00 and 17:30
  Sganapino the Florist
  The village florist retires, and Sganapino takes over the shop. Amid daisies, daffodils, and roses, through hilarious mix-ups and misunderstandings, will the aspiring florist win the trust of his customers?
  
  
• Saturday 28 March at 16:00 and 17:30
  Farse per la famiglia
  Funny scenes show life in a poor household and the city square, with debts and hunger taking center stage. A vibrant spectacle recalling how life was in the past.
  
  
• Sunday 29 March at 16:00 and 17:30
  Fagiolino and Sganapino Unemployed
  The prologue introduces the main Bolognese masks. Then Fagiolino and Sganapino search desperately for a job to escape hunger and poverty, facing dubious benefactors and the wise advice of Doctor Balanzone. Will they succeed?

April 2026:

• Saturday 4 April at 16:00 and 17:30
  Strolling through the museum with the wooden heads
  A unique appointment with the Master Puppeteer who, together with Sganapino and Doctor Balanzone, will guide visitors through Palazzo Pepoli to discover the puppet house. A magical place where everything is puppet-sized.
  
  
• Sunday 5 April at 16:00 and 17:30
  Strolling through the museum with the wooden heads
  A unique appointment with the Master Puppeteer who, together with Sganapino and Doctor Balanzone, will guide visitors through Palazzo Pepoli to discover the puppet house. A magical place where everything is puppet-sized.
  
  
• Monday 6 April at 16:00 only, in the Culture Hall
  Sganapino and the Easter Bunny
  Poverty and dissatisfaction make Sganapino waver. Alone, without Fagiolino or friends, a magical encounter will show him the right path to follow.
  
  
• Saturday 11 April at 16:00 and 17:30
  Strolling through the museum with the wooden heads
  A unique appointment with the Master Puppeteer who, together with Sganapino and Doctor Balanzone, will guide visitors through Palazzo Pepoli to discover the puppet house. A magical place where everything is puppet-sized.
  
  
• Sunday 12 April at 16:00 and 17:30
  Sganapino Fishmonger
  Sganapino opens a new shop with his wife Desdemona. During the grand opening in the historic center of Bologna, unexpected events and comedic situations ensue.
  
  
• Saturday 18 April at 16:00 and 17:30
  Fata Smemorina
  Sganapino begins a new journey, guided by Smemorina, a funny, somewhat wise fairy. Together with the children, they face many unpredictable challenges along the way.
  
  
• Sunday 19 April at 16:00 and 17:30
  Sganapino and Wolfango Cento
  Celebrating the centenary of Wolfango Peretti Poggi, Bolognese painter and admirer of Bolognese puppets. The puppets honor him in a fun performance, also previewing the summer festival named after him.