Riva Celtica 2026 is the festival devoted to the history, culture and traditions of the Celtic world, taking place from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October 2026 at Parco Brugnatelli in Rivanazzano Terme, in the Province of Pavia, Lombardy. For three days the park hosts a historical camp with continuous activities, talks, workshops, reenactments, shows and live concerts, in a programme designed both for history enthusiasts and for families with children.

The event is hosted by Terra Insubre, which invites visitors to three immersive days of archaeology, mythology, craftsmanship and music. The programme revolves around the Celts in the Pavia area and the Ticino River, food in the Celtic world, the druids and their sacred places, the calendar of trees, and the journey from the Celtic Samonios to the tradition of Halloween. It is one of the most original events of October 2026 for discovering the Oltrepò Pavese, the hills south of the River Po, through its most ancient history.

Riva Celtica 2026 at a Glance

When: from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October 2026.

Where: Parco Brugnatelli, Rivanazzano Terme (PV), Oltrepò Pavese.

Opening times: Friday from 17:00; Saturday and Sunday from 10:00. The historical camp closes at 13:00 and reopens at 14:30 on Saturday and Sunday.

What to expect: a Celtic historical camp, talks, workshops, a guided excursion, reenactments, roving shows, evening concerts, craft markets, food trucks, and craft beer and mead.

Who it is for: history and archaeology enthusiasts, anyone curious about the Celtic world, families with children, and live music lovers.

Programme: available day by day in the dedicated section of this article.

What Is Riva Celtica?

Riva Celtica is a festival that combines historical outreach, reenactment and entertainment. The programme alternates in-depth talks, with speakers such as Maria Lambro, Mauro Manfrinato and Daniele Spairani, with hands-on experiences such as the “Druidic Talismans” workshop and the “Celtic Sword” stage, up to the concerts that light up the evenings.

The link with the local area is clear from the very titles of the talks. Golasecca and Gorgonzola frame the story of Celtic food and its influence on our tables, while other talks cover the Ticino Valley from Cantarana to Campo Maggiore, the archaeological finds discovered along the river, and the Celts who lived in these lands before Ticinum. It is a way to rediscover the ancient roots of the Pavia area and of western Lombardy.

The Historical Camp: A Journey into the Celtic World

Throughout the festival, the historical camp is a genuine journey into the Celtic world, with continuous activities. Visitors can try archery, watch the work at the forge, sit down at the druid's banquet, look at the display of weapons, and step inside the reconstruction of a noble warrior's tent and of a Celtic house. There are also demonstrations of spinning and weaving, musical instruments and reproductions of archaeological jewellery.

The historical camp opens at 17:00 on Friday and at 10:00 on Saturday and Sunday. On the two weekend days it closes at 13:00 and reopens at 14:30. At each daily opening, at 17:00 on Friday and at 10:00 on Saturday and Sunday, Castigamatt's roving show accompanies visitors through the activities in the camp.

The Full Riva Celtica 2026 Programme, Day by Day

Here is the complete schedule for the three days of the festival, with all the times for talks, workshops, reenactments and concerts.

Friday 2 October 2026: Opening, Celtic Table and Music

The festival opens at 17:00 with the opening of the historical camp, its continuous activities and Castigamatt's roving show. At 17:30 the “Red Tent” tells stories and creates, with creative workshops and games for younger visitors. At 18:00 comes the mini talk “From Golasecca to Gorgonzola”, a journey through food in the Celtic world and its influence on our tables.

The evening is devoted to live music: at 21:00 a concert by The Clurs, at 22:30 a concert by Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastard.

Saturday 3 October 2026: Talks, Nature, Reenactments and Fire

Saturday starts at 10:00 with the opening of the festival and of the historical camp, together with Castigamatt's roving show. At 10:45 Maria Lambro gives the talk “The Ticino Valley – from Cantarana to Campo Maggiore”, devoted to the Celts in the Pavia area and the shift from barter to coinage. At 11:30 the guided excursion “Plants, Precious and Silent Gifts” explores the herbs and plants of the area. At 12:30 the complimentary Celtic aperitif presents the traditional drinks of Celtic culture, and at 13:00 the historical camp closes for the break.

The camp reopens at 14:30 with its continuous activities. At 15:30 visitors can create their own talisman in the “Druidic Talismans” workshop, while at 16:00 Mauro Manfrinato presents the talk “The archaeological finds discovered along the Ticino River”. At 16:30 the “Red Tent” returns with creative workshops and games for younger visitors, and at 17:30 it is time for the “Celtic Sword” stage, a journey through energies and the Celtic world.

As evening falls, the programme moves into its reenactments. At 18:30 the “Dressing of the Warrior” recreates the ceremony of preparation for battle. At 19:00 the talk “Megaliths and the Nemeton: a sanctuary of druidic energy” explores the meaning of megalithic monuments. At 20:00 the lighting of the second harvest fire reenacts the celebration of the autumn equinox. At 21:00 Bards From Yesterday take the stage, at 22:00 tales around the fire bring Celtic sagas and myths back to life, and at 22:30 the day ends with a concert by Triddana.

Sunday 4 October 2026: The Celts and the Ticino, Samonios and Closing Concerts

Sunday begins at 10:00 with the historical camp, its continuous activities and Castigamatt's roving show. At 11:00 Daniele Spairani presents the talk “Before Ticinum – the Celts and the Ticino River”. At 11:30 the session “The Calendar of Sacred Trees: Reality and Suggestion” teaches visitors to recognise “their own” sacred tree. At 12:30 it is once again time for the complimentary Celtic aperitif, with a presentation of the traditional drinks of Celtic culture, and at 13:00 the historical camp closes for the break.

The afternoon restarts at 14:30 with the reopening of the historical camp. At 15:00 the “Druidic Talismans” workshop takes place, at 16:00 the “Red Tent” tells stories and creates for younger visitors, and at 17:00 the “Celtic Sword” stage offers a way to understand and interact with the energies that surround us and shape our lives. At 18:00 “The Song of the Carnyx” stages a combat demonstration between Celtic warriors. At 18:30 the talk “From Samonios to Halloween... and back” follows the path from the Celtic “New Year” to the tradition of Halloween.

The festival closes with three concerts: at 19:30 Ticinn Canntal, at 20:30 Tarakan & The Keltaholics and at 21:45 Castigamatt.

Live Music: The Riva Celtica 2026 Concerts

The festival evenings are marked by concerts. On Friday 2 October, The Clurs (21:00) and Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastard (22:30) perform. On Saturday 3 October it is the turn of Bards From Yesterday (21:00) and Triddana (22:30), with tales around the fire at 22:00 bridging the two gigs. On Sunday 4 October the closing night is entrusted to Ticinn Canntal (19:30), Tarakan & The Keltaholics (20:30) and Castigamatt (21:45), who also perform the roving opening shows during the festival.

Riva Celtica for Children and Families

The festival makes room for younger visitors with the “Red Tent” tells stories and creates, a series of creative workshops and games scheduled every day: at 17:30 on Friday, at 16:30 on Saturday and at 16:00 on Sunday. The historical camp too, with its forge, archery, displayed weapons and reconstructed Celtic house, is a setting well suited to curious children and teenagers, as is the “Druidic Talismans” workshop, in which everyone can make their own talisman.

Craft Markets, Food Trucks, and Craft Beer and Mead

Alongside the cultural and musical programme, Riva Celtica offers themed markets, food trucks and an area devoted to craft beer and mead, the drink most closely associated with the Celtic imagination. On Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 the complimentary Celtic aperitif is also a chance to discover the traditional drinks of this culture, combining tasting and storytelling.

Where It Takes Place: Parco Brugnatelli and Rivanazzano Terme

The festival is held at Parco Brugnatelli, a spacious public park in the centre of Rivanazzano Terme. The town, known for its spa tradition, lies in the Staffora Valley, in the Oltrepò Pavese, a few kilometres from Voghera and about an hour's drive from Milan.

Visitors coming for the festival can make the most of the weekend to explore the surrounding area: the hills of the Oltrepò Pavese, with their villages and wineries, and outdoor routes such as the Voghera–Varzi Greenway, the cycling and walking path that follows the route of the historic Staffora Valley railway line. It is a way to combine Celtic history, nature, food and wine, and wellbeing in a single October weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions about Riva Celtica 2026

When does Riva Celtica 2026 take place?

Riva Celtica 2026 takes place from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October 2026. The festival opens at 17:00 on Friday and at 10:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Where is Riva Celtica held?

The festival is held at Parco Brugnatelli in Rivanazzano Terme, in the Province of Pavia, in the Oltrepò Pavese.

What can you do in the historical camp?

In the historical camp you can try archery, watch the forge at work, take part in the druid's banquet, admire the display of weapons, visit the reconstructed tent of a noble warrior and a Celtic house, and discover spinning and weaving, musical instruments and reproductions of archaeological jewellery. Activities run continuously throughout the festival.

What time does the historical camp open and close?

On Friday the historical camp opens at 17:00. On Saturday and Sunday it opens at 10:00, closes at 13:00 and reopens at 14:30.

Are there activities for children?

Yes. The “Red Tent” tells stories and creates offers creative workshops and games for younger visitors every day, and the historical camp provides hands-on activities and demonstrations suitable for the whole family.

Which talks are on the programme?

On Friday at 18:00, the mini talk “From Golasecca to Gorgonzola” on food in the Celtic world. On Saturday at 10:45, Maria Lambro on “The Ticino Valley – from Cantarana to Campo Maggiore”, at 16:00 Mauro Manfrinato on the archaeological finds of the Ticino, and at 19:00 the talk “Megaliths and the Nemeton: a sanctuary of druidic energy”. On Sunday at 11:00, Daniele Spairani on “Before Ticinum – the Celts and the Ticino River” and at 18:30 “From Samonios to Halloween... and back”.

Which bands play at Riva Celtica 2026?

The Clurs and Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastard play on Friday; Bards From Yesterday and Triddana on Saturday; Ticinn Canntal, Tarakan & The Keltaholics and Castigamatt on Sunday.

Can you eat and drink at the festival?

Yes. There are markets, food trucks, and craft beer and mead. On Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 there is also a complimentary Celtic aperitif, with a presentation of the traditional drinks of Celtic culture.

Experience Riva Celtica 2026

From 2 to 4 October 2026, Parco Brugnatelli in Rivanazzano Terme becomes a Celtic village of reenactments, storytelling, workshops and music. For any updates on the programme and on how to take part, we recommend following the festival's official channels, starting with the @rivaceltica profile, and continuing to visit VisitPavia to discover all the events taking place in the Province of Pavia in October.

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