Roberto Bolle and Friends at the Circo Massimo — Rome, July 2026

<p><strong>Roberto Bolle and Friends</strong> is one of the highlights of the Italian summer: the country's most celebrated ballet star gathers principal dancers from the world's great companies for a single open-air gala, staged in 2026 amid the vast ancient grandeur of Rome's <strong>Circo Massimo</strong> (Circus Maximus). Dancing where Roman chariots once raced, with the Palatine Hill as a backdrop, gives the evening a spectacle you simply can't get in a theatre.</p><p>The programme mixes classical showpieces and contemporary duets, curated so that even newcomers to ballet are swept along by the star power and the setting. As night falls over the ruins and the stage lights come up, the atmosphere is genuinely magical, part dance recital, part Roman summer festival.</p><p>Practical tips: this is a single-night event that sells out, so book as soon as tickets go on sale. It is open-air seating on the old track, so arrive before dusk to find your place in daylight and bring a light layer for the cooler evening. Come early to enjoy the surroundings, and note that seating tiers are set back from the stage, so pay up for closer rows if you want to catch the dancers' detail.</p>

Fly into Rome Fiumicino (FCO); the Leonardo Express train runs to Roma Termini in about 32 minutes, or use Ciampino (CIA) for many low-cost flights. The gala is staged at the ancient Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus). The nearest metro stop is Circo Massimo on Line B, a two-minute walk from the arena. From Termini, take Metro Line B southbound just a few stops. Buses and trams also serve the area near the Aventine and Palatine. The venue is open-air along the old chariot track, so arrive before dusk to find your seat in daylight.