First Weekend of the Eel Festival

September 26–28

Friday, September 26

10:00 am, 11:00 am or 2:00 pm - Boat Experience in the Comacchio Lagoon
Stazione Foce - Valli di Comacchio
A charming navigation through canals and water silences, among pink flamingos and ancient fishing huts, with a visit to the reconstruction of the ancient Etruscan settlement of Spina.

4:00 pm and 6:00 pm - Visit to the excavation site of the ancient Etruscan city of Spina
Spina Archaeological Area - Strada Mezzano. Free admission (max 35 people per session)
Organized by the Municipality of Comacchio and the Museo Delta Antico, in collaboration with the University of Bologna and the Superintendence.
Reservation required at +39 0533 311316

8:00 pm - Rinascimento Circolare, dinner by Chef Igles Corelli
Manifattura Marinati, via Mazzini, 200
Dinner crafted by the skilled hands of Michelin 5-star Chef Igles Corelli, presenting the concept of circular economy applied to Renaissance cuisine.

A gastronomic journey through Renaissance cooking and sustainability:

• Crunchy cannolo filled with sturgeon and cabbage, saffron sauce and rocket oil: a dish evoking the splendor of ducal tables, using fish, a symbol of the Delta

• Tortelli filled with wild duck, browned butter, cheese sauce and herb oil, recalling the hunting tradition of the valleys

• Chicken breast stuffed with almonds and bacon, citrus sauce and spiced apple compote, reflecting Arab influences that reached the Po courts via Sicily

• Morello cherry and gold cake, closing the journey with the theatricality loved by Renaissance nobility.

Paired with wines from Sabbie del Bosco Eliceo:
Tre uve – Corte Madonnina,
Cuvée dell’Abate Rosé Brut – Corte Madonnina
Umberto Primo Fortana Maré – Mattarelli Vini

Organized by Work and Belong social cooperative in collaboration with I.I.S. "Remo Brindisi" Comacchio
Cost €75 per person.
Sold out
Info: Manifattura dei Marinati +39 0533 81742

Saturday, September 27

10:00 am –  Boat Experience in the Comacchio Lagoon
Stazione Foce - Valli di Comacchio
A charming navigation through canals and water silences, among pink flamingos and ancient fishing huts, with a visit to the reconstruction of the ancient Etruscan settlement of Spina.

10:00 am – Up and Down Comacchio
Via dello Squero – Comacchio
Among salt pans and Etruscan traces, a tour that blends nature and history in the heart of the Comacchio Lagoons.

11:00 am – From Comacchio to the Eel Fishing Spots
Public pier at ANMI – Via dello Squero, Comacchio
Sailing from Comacchio to the lagoons: a journey through history, flamingos, and changes in the Delta ecosystem.

11:00 am – Inauguration of the 27th Edition of the Eel Festival 2025
Piazzetta Trepponti, Historic Center
Opening ceremony of the 27th edition of the Eel Festival, with greetings from the Mayor and Authorities present.

10:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 4:00 pm – Visit to the Excavation Site of the Ancient Etruscan City of Spina
Spina Archaeological Area – Strada Mezzano
Free entrance (max 35 people per session)
Organized by the Municipality of Comacchio and the Delta Antico Museum, in collaboration with the University of Bologna and the Superintendence.
Reservation required at +39 0533 311316

11:30 am – “Radici Sonore” Choir
Trepponti Bridge, Historic Center
Opening performance by students and teachers of the choir as part of the Radici Sonore project.
Organized by the Civic School of Music of Comacchio and the Municipality, with the presence of Authorities.

12:00 pm – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony by Boat for the Eel Festival 2025
Via Edgardo Fogli, Historic Center
Boat tour for authorities and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the 27th edition of the Eel Festival.

12:30 pm – “Bora Wind, Moonless Night, and High Tide,” Free Cultural Tour
Via Mazzini 140, Adjacent to the Loggiato dei Cappuccini
Cultural tour of the Urban Exhibition of the 27th Eel Festival.
Organized by Scuola Bottega San Giuseppe Odv in collaboration with Work and Belong scs.

1:00 pm – “Tessuti” by Massimo Zonari
Aceti Hall, Manifattura Marinati, Via Mazzini, 200
Opening of the exhibition of canvases and painted fabrics by artist Massimo Zonari. Free visit.
Organized by Federica Gelli in collaboration with Manifattura Marinati.

1:00 pm – Boat Experience in the Comacchio Lagoon
Stazione Foce - Valli di Comacchio
A charming navigation through canals and water silences, among pink flamingos and ancient fishing huts, with a visit to the reconstruction of the ancient Etruscan settlement of Spina.

2:30 pm – From Comacchio to the Eel Fishing Spots
Public pier at ANMI – Via dello Squero, Comacchio
Sailing from Comacchio to the lagoons: a journey through history, flamingos, and changes in the Delta ecosystem.

3:00 pm – Comacchio Lagoon by canoe
Stazione Foce - Valli di Comacchio
Canoeing among water silences and wild nature, a guided adventure in the Comacchio Lagoons with a stop for an aperitif immersed in the landscape.

3:00 pm – Argine degli Angeli
Via Fortuna Maris, 2 – Lido degli Estensi
A route along one of Italy’s most beautiful cycling paths, through dunes, pinewoods, and breathtaking landscapes.

4:00 pm – “The Network of Ecomuseums of Emilia Romagna Tells Its Story,” REmusER Project
Conference Mezzanine, Aceti Hall, Manifattura Marinati Via Mazzini, 200
Presentation of the new project of the Emilia Romagna Ecomuseums Network, territorial experiences and public participation, diversity, material, immaterial, and landscape heritage.

4:30 pm – Bike Tour to Casone Donnabona with the Man of the Lagoon
Stazione Foce – Valli di Comacchio
Cycling among huts and valley stories, a journey through time among flavors, superstitions, and Comacchio tales.

4:30 pm – A Sunset Toast in the Comacchio Lagoons
Public pier at ANMI – Via dello Squero, Comacchio
At sunset in the Comacchio Lagoons, among fishing boats, flamingos, and water stories, toast the setting sun with a glass of wine.

4:30 pm – “Dance That Passion” Show by the Dance School “El Movimiento”
Show Stage, Piazza XX Settembre, Cathedral Forecourt
Performance by the students of the sports association El Movimiento, led by Beatrice Cavallari.

6:00 pm – “Breathless,” Short Film by Gianluca Ferroni
Conference Mezzanine, Aceti Hall, Manifattura Marinati Via Mazzini, 200
Presentation and screening of the short film set in Comacchio.
Organized by Gianluca Ferroni in collaboration with Spazio Marconi.

6:00 pm – “Aperilibro” Comacchio and the Eel – Stories and Flavors of the Lagoon’s Queen
Old Fish Market, Piazzetta Trepponti
Meeting with author Luciano Boccaccini and tasting of typical local products paired with wines.
Tasting includes polenta or crostino with grilled eel or marinated eel with arugula and raisins – Wines: Vino delle sabbie, Fortana Frizzante Corte Madonnina if eel is grilled, or Fortana Frizzante Cà Nova if marinated.
Tasting cost €10.00
Organized by Work and Belong s.c.s. in collaboration with A.I.S. Italian Sommeliers Association of Ferrara.

9:00 pm – JOVABAND, Tribute to JOVANOTTI that Makes Italy Dance
Show Stage, Piazza XX Settembre, Cathedral Forecourt, Old Fish Market, Piazzetta Trepponti
For over 10 years, Jovaband, one of the most appreciated tributes to Jovanotti in Italy, brings to the stage the energy and joy of Lorenzo Cherubini’s music, better known as Jovanotti.
With over 500 live concerts, Jovaband offers a show that reproduces the excitement of a real Jovanotti concert.

Sunday, September 28

9:30 am – Bike & boat in the Comachcio Lagoon
Logonovo E‑bike Comacchio - Via Conca, 1 Comacchio
From the heart of Comacchio by bike and boat, a journey between water and land discovering enchanted landscapes and flamingos in flight.

10:00 am – Up and Down Comacchio
Via dello Squero – Comacchio
Among salt pans and Etruscan traces, a tour that blends nature and history in the heart of the Comacchio Lagoons.

10:30 am – A Bike Ride across the Silence and Colours of the Comacchio Lagoon
Foce Station – Valli di Comacchio
Pedaling among archaeology and flamingos, discovering traditional eel fishing and the hidden treasures of the Delta.

11:00 am – Comacchio: history and curiosities
Discover the roots and secrets of Comacchio with a suggestive guided walk through bridges, canals, and monuments that tell the story of this charming water‑town.

11:00 am – From Comacchio to the Eel Fishing Spots
Public pier at ANMI – Via dello Squero, Comacchio
Sailing from Comacchio to the lagoons: a journey through history, flamingos, and changes in the Delta ecosystem.

11:00 am – Visit to the excavation site of the ancient Etruscan city of Spina
Spina Archaeological Area – Strada Mezzano
Free admission (max 35 people per session)
Organized by the Municipality of Comacchio and the Museo Delta Antico, in collaboration with the University of Bologna and the Superintendence
Reservation required at +39 0533 311316

11:00 am – The Time of the Eel
Manifattura Marinati, Corso Mazzini, 200
Free guided cultural path
The mysterious history of the eel’s life, from the Sargasso Sea to Comacchio.
Organized by Scuola Bottega San Giuseppe and Work and Belong s.c.s.

11:30 am – 3rd “Golden Paradello” Palio of the Rioni of Comacchio – Eliminations
Historic Center – Ponte degli Sbirri, Ponte della Pitagora, Ponte S. Pietro, Via Agatopisto, and Via S. Pietro
Eliminations in the canals of the Comacchio historic center, with traditional “velocipi” boats pushed by hand with the paradello. Contest among the four historic Rioni: S. Pietro, Cappuccini, S. Agostino, and Carmine to win the “Golden Paradello.”
Organized by Scuola Bottega San Giuseppe, Historical Boats Association, and Work and Belong.

11:30 am – “Passport of the Lagoons”
Old Fish Market, Piazzetta Trepponti
Round‑table introducing the “Passport of the Lagoons” project – special distribution to the public of passports with involvement of the Municipal Administration, Po Delta Tourism, Cooperativa Girogirotondo and representatives of participating associations.
Organized by the Civic School of Music, Comacchio.

2:30 pm – From Comacchio to the Eel Fishing Spots
Public pier at ANMI – Via dello Squero, Comacchio
Sailing from Comacchio to the lagoons: a journey through history, flamingos, and changes in the Delta ecosystem.

3:00 pm – Boat Experience in the Comacchio Lagoon
Stazione Foce - Valli di Comacchio
A charming navigation through canals and water silences, among pink flamingos and ancient fishing huts, with a visit to the reconstruction of the ancient Etruscan settlement of Spina.

3:00 pm – Archaeological stop at the Eel Festival
Museo Delta Antico, Via Agatopisto, 2
The Museo Delta Antico joins the festive atmosphere of the Eel Festival with its stand at the pronaos entrance.
We invite you to a small lab activity suitable for all ages to take you back in time and leave you with a memory from Comacchio’s past. Each participant will receive a special voucher for reduced admission to the Museo Delta Antico!
Workshop “Write your name in Etruscan!” Engrave your name on a small metal plate using the Etruscan alphabet.

3:30 pm – Sailing from the Sea to the Lagoons by Albatros Motorboat
Albatros motor‑vessel dock – Via Caduti del Mare, Porto Garibaldi
From Porto Garibaldi, a motor‑vessel will take you through Valle Fattibello, a paradise for aquatic birds, to the Foce fishing station, with a sunset aperitif surrounded by the magic of the Comacchio Lagoons.

4:00 pm – Boat Experience in the Comacchio Lagoon
Stazione Foce - Valli di Comacchio
A charming navigation through canals and water silences, among pink flamingos and ancient fishing huts, with a visit to the reconstruction of the ancient Etruscan settlement of Spina.

4:30 pm – OPHIDIA Trio
Show area, Piazza XX Settembre, Cathedral Forecourt
The Ophidia in trio version, historic Comacchio band will entertain with their music and repertoire of contemporary pop and rock.
Free concert.
Organized by Scuola Bottega, Work and Belong, and New Input Service.

5:00 pm – 3rd “Golden Paradello” Palio of the Rioni of Comacchio – Finals
Historic Center – Ponte degli Sbirri, Ponte della Pitagora, Ponte S. Pietro, Via Agatopisto, and Via S. Pietro
Final races in the canals of the Comacchio historic center, with traditional “velocipi” boats pushed by hand with paradello. Final contest among the four historic Rioni: S. Pietro, Cappuccini, S. Agostino and Carmine to win the “Golden Paradello.”
Organized by Scuola Bottega San Giuseppe, Historical Boats Association, and Work and Belong.

5:00 pm – Show Cooking with tasting – Franco Simoni & Francesco Farinelli, The Comacchiese Eel Risotto
Manifattura Marinati, Sala Fuochi, Corso Mazzini, 200
“Cuochi per Passione” Franco Simoni and Francesco Farinelli will delight you with preparation of the typical Comacchiese eel risotto, the secret ingredients and meticulous preparation of a traditional dish of the city.
Cost for Show Cooking with tasting: €10.00 – Limited seats.
Tickets at Manifattura Marinati (tel +39 0533 81742)

6:00 pm – Fish Work in Comacchio, Stories and Traditions
Manifattura Marinati, Corso Mazzini, 200
The history of fish processing in Comacchio and management of the Comacchio Lagoons throughout history.
Free cultural walk.
Organized by Scuola Bottega San Giuseppe, Work and Belong s.c.s.