May 2023 | What to do in Bologna

There are many initiatives proposed on the territory of Bologna in the spring. The month of May is the perfect opportunity to visit the city and enjoy an extensive program of exhibitions, concerts, theater performances and culinary festivals. Here is a review of the main events.

The capital of Street Art and Pop Art

Until May 7, 2023, at Palazzo Albergati you can enjoy the exhibition “Jago, Banksy, tvboy and other stories against the current“. The 60 works on display are the result of the greatest contemporary exponents of Street Art, which sees as protagonists international artists such as the British Banksy but also the most important Italian names of the moment. The exhibition is open every day from 10.00 to 20.00 (full price: € 15.00).

At Palazzo Pallavicini until 6 August 2023 it will be possible to appreciate the exhibition “The World of Banksy“, with a focus solely on the artist from Bristol, whose identity remains unknown. The contrast between the stately magnificence of the Palace and the contemporary urban works make it a unique opportunity. The exhibition is open every day from 10.00 to 20.00, excluding Monday (full price: € 14.50, on holidays € 16.50).

It is called “Warhol, Haring, Basquiat” the exhibition that will remain open until 18 June 2023 at Palazzo Belloni. The works take us back to New York in the 80s, from whose excesses drew inspiration the father of Pop Art and his followers. The exhibition is open from Wednesday to Friday from 10.00 to 18.00, Saturday from 10.00 to 19.00, Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00 (full price: € 13.50).

To the theatre

“Coppia aperta quasi spalancata” will be staged on May 5, 2023 at the Theater Celebrations. This is a comedy where Chiara Francini will play the role of the woman within the couple in a tragicomic key. The ticket price is € 19.00.

From 5 to 7 May the theater Dehon proposes instead “Casalinghi Disperati” By Cinzia Berni and Guido Polito, an engaging comedy that sees four men, broke and separated, try to extricate themselves between housework, difficult cohabitation and ex-wives.

The same theater will be the stage of the musical “Frankenstein Junior” from 12 to 14 May, staged by the Company La Ragnatela. Based on the famous film by Mel Brooks, the story tells of Doctor Frederick, who inherits a castle in Transylvania from his grandfather. Here he decides to follow in his footsteps: he will make an experiment and give life to an inanimate being. We all know the sequel.

To end the season of the Teatro Dehon there will be “Don Camillo and Peppone“, staged from 26 to 28 May, by the Compagnia I Portici, based on the stories of Giovannino Guareschi. The Company will take us to the village Italy of the last century, immersed in the thick fog of the North, where the famous characters will find themselves debating their daily conflicts.

Spring concerts

May is also a great month to live unforgettable experiences such as music concerts. The Europauditorium Theatre will host on May 2 Joe Satriani, guitarist and singer-songwriter who boasts multiple nominations for the likes of the Grammy Awards. Satriani was the lead guitar of Mick Jagger for his first tour; in 1994 he toured the world playing with Deep Purple. He will perform at 21.00 and tickets are available on TicketOne from € 46.00.

On May 3 will be the turn of Raf, at the Theater Celebrations (tickets from € 55.00). The Italian singer-songwriter boasts famous collaborations such as the song “Gente di Mare”, sung with Umberto Tozzi at the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest, which won a third place.

Tortellone Festival and good wine

Go Wine is an association that promotes in Bologna the event dedicated to the great Italian wines and their interpreters: Bologna Super Wines. This is an exclusive evening that will take place on Monday, May 8, at the Hotel Relais Bellaria, in which an audience of wineries chosen for quality production and positive opinions of wine critics will be presented to the general public. Reservations are required by 12.00 on the same day, in order to better organize the tasting. The event is not only aimed at professionals, but also wine lovers. The cost of tasting for the public is € 22.00.

The province offers also several wine and culinary events, we point out a couple of noteworthy.

From 7 to 14 May there will be the Wine Week in Dozza (BO), with tasting benches, conferences, art, music and good food. For more information visit Fondazione Dozza website.

From 12 to 14 and from 19 to 21 May there will be the Festival of Tortellone and grilled meat in Padulle in Sala Bolognese (Villa Largaiolli), a party organized by the Civil Protection Volunteers of Sala Bolognese in a location surrounded by greenery, where you can breathe the atmosphere of the traditional banquet. The stand will be open every evening from Friday to Sunday (Sunday also at lunch), while in the park of the Villa are proposed performances and music every night, until the final fireworks show. This is a free event.

In short, Bologna is certainly not a place to get bored in spring! In addition to this series of events, you can always enjoy the “evergreen” wonders that the city offers all year to those who visit: the Two Towers, the Basilica of San Petronio, the Quadrilateral of the historic center, Piazza Maggiore, the Finestrella…What are you waiting for to book your weekend away?