Festa del Cactus
GRAND TOUR ITALIA
Bologna, Via Paolo Canali 8
XX edition
September 19, 20 & 21, 2025
The rich world of Aloes
Ihe inspirational theme this year is the genus Aloe, which includes more than 600 species widespread in Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula and Indian Ocean islands, including the well-known Aloe vera widely used in cosmetics and the healing Aloe arborescens.
To spread knowledge about these interesting plants, the Festa del Cactus with the cooperation of theItalian Association of Succulent Plant Lovers (AIAS) is organizing a conference held by world-renowned experts on the genus Aloe. It will also be possible to purchase specimens of the most interesting and rare species offered by the exhibitors.
Dialogues on Aloe between science, landscape and passion
Take the opportunity for scientific and popular insights into this important plant genus through the authoritative voice of some of the top international experts in the field… Read more >
OFFICIAL SPONSOR
The Conference. Dialogues on Aloe between science, landscape and passion is sponsored by the CACTUSMANIA by Manera nursery.
In Ventimiglia (IM), a nursery specializing in the production and sale of succulent plants for more than 30 years.
Thousands of people around the globe are constantly networking to share their experience of adoption by the non-succulent tropical plants that educate them, sending them small signals to help them understand their own living needs in sharing human living spaces.
From the tiny variegated pothos to the rare Rhaphidophora tetrasperma “Migma” is a multitude of green beings that grace home by issuing the challenge,“Will you know how to keep me alive?“
From succulents to indoor growing topical plantsis a short step, as many passionate Hoya and Rhypsalis growers can testify, so we decided to open a glimmer of light on this fascinating world by calling together those who love them, the influencers the creative people who make minimondo-terraria, and some renowned companies, producers or traders of these particular plants and the rich sampler of materials and tools needed to grow them, whether they are succulent, partially succulent, not very succulent, and just not at all succulent.
We hope these tropical vibes will help further warm up the passionate atmosphere of the Festa del Cactus!
Tropical Vibes exhibitors
Pama The Gardener
Pama is a fancy word fomented from the diminutives of dad and mom, and [...]
Diflora
Our passion for rare and exotic carnivorous plants drives everything we do. Based in Galliera [...]
Ecuadorquideas
Welcome to Ecuadorquideas, your destination for discovering and admiring the wonders of orchids and tropical [...]
Kodama Lab
Small corners of the forest to be placed in small corners of the house is [...]
Ortoflor
Ortoflor is a family farm established in Marotta (PU) in 1989. We are a reference [...]
Epiphyllum E.P.R.I.C.
Wwas born in Germany and at the age of 2 moved to the Netherlands where [...]
News
Bruno Abidal, a dream from Casamance
For the first time in Italy, the Festa del Cactus will be with us Bruno Abidal, a passionate grower who lives [...]
ASAC guest of honor at Festa del Cactus
Support ASAC by purchasing their super cool T-shirts. This year's Festa del Cactus decided to give hospitality to [...]
From South Africa with passion
For the first time in the history of our event, an exhibitor directly from South Africa is participating: Lifestyle Seeds.An international [...]
Breaking News – From Epric, botanical rarities and exclusive hybrids
At stand #19, Epric / Frank Süpplie will be showcasing a remarkable selection of rare epiphytic cacti and unique hybrids. [...]
Tribute to Venus
Dionea muscipula, the queen of carnivorous plants, a true wonder of the plant kingdom that has enchanted all the greatest [...]
Pa and Ma, family passion
Festa del Cactus this year will also feature Pa and Ma with their nursery Pama the Gardener, a Thai family business [...]
Wocial Cactus is the place dedicated to people, groups and associations who wish to offer their free contribution to the sharing of knowledge about succulent plants, their cultivation or, simply, the pleasure of being together, making friends or falling in love.
Regulations
Visitors
Based on the agreements with our host partner, food and beverages are allowed only if purchased from Grand Tour Italia.
Festa del Cactus is fully accessible to people with disabilities and has preferential spaces for parking vehicles near the access.
Admission tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the event or online with a surcharge (presale fees).
Although very infrequently, it has happened in the past that some visitors have purchased plants that were healthy at first glance but upon closer examination were found to be attacked by rot, disease or pests when they returned home.
Given that there has been no shortage of expressions of disappointment, if not outright criticism accompanied by accusations against the organization of the Festa del Cactus that Does not provide verification of the quality of products offered by merchants during the event, we would like to point out that those who offer the plants. firstly, and who buys the plants in secundis are solely responsible for the buying and selling implemented as part of the Festa del Cactus.
For this reason, this organization, while making rigorous choices on the traders allowed to participate in its event to ensure a first-rate offer, declines any responsibility regarding the quality of the products offered by the nurserymen participating in the Festa del Cactus.
According to the principle whereby No merchant purposely implements the sale of deteriorated products, we believe that such occurrences take place quite unintentionally. For this reason, we invite kind visitors intending to purchase products offered at the Festa del Cactus to observe the following conduct:
- Carefully evaluate the quality of the chosen product before purchasing it;
- In case a problem occurs with the purchased product, please contact the merchant during the event to ask for a replacement or refund;
- In the event of a late finding of the problem after the conclusion of the event, contact the dealer through his or her references, if any, on the presentation sheet posted on this site.
• People under the age of 12 and over 70 have free access to the event.
The Festa del Cactus enjoys a large unattended parking lot where hundreds of vehicles of all sizes and types can be accommodated.
It is possible to stay overnight in the parking lot with your RV.
Festa del Cactus is held even in bad weather because it is organized in covered spaces.
Due to legal and insurance issues, visitors are allowed to enter the event area only during the scheduled hours after purchasing the entrance voucher (ticket). Anyone trespassing during set-up, during closing hours and during demobilization of the event will be removed from the area immediately, unless more serious conditions are apparent, liable to be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Visitors can enter the event with their pets. Inside the exhibition area, please keep dogs on a leash.
Exhibitors
The exhibitor is responsible for the decorum of the area assigned to him, which must be kept tidy and clean for the entire duration of the event and returned to its initial state.
At the end of the event, each exhibitor must strictly remove and dispose of all waste materials such as containers, pots, labels, potting soil, damaged or dead plants, etc. …
The buying and selling of products already on display among exhibitors until 12 noon on Sunday is strictly prohibited, under penalty of exclusion.
Under Italian law, both the hallucinogenic alkaloid mescaline and the plants of Lophophora williamsii (commonly called ‘peyote’) that contain it are listed on List 1 of narcotic substances, so living, dried specimens and/or their parts belonging to this species are not allowed to be possessed and sold throughout the Italian teritory. Those who do so are liable to be prosecuted pecuniarily and criminally for possession and distribution of drugs.
The organizing committee of the Festa del Cactus assumes no responsibility for the failure of anyone to comply with this prohibition by offering live or dried Lophophora williamsii plants and/or their parts in any capacity as part of the event.
Since the law does not admit ignorance, it is good to know that any kind of Lophophora other than L. williamsii (such as. Lophophora jourdaniana, L. koehresii, L. caroli-veitchii, etc. …) may fall into synonymy with L. williamsii and thus indict its possessor, especially in light of the fact that indictment is usually subsequent to chemical analysis of the plants seized as a precautionary measure, which can actually confirm the presence of mescaline.
The buying and selling of fresh and/or dried fruits and seeds of Lophophora williamsii is absolutely free.
Plants belonging to certain species of succulents are subject to special regulations, enunciated by the ‘Convention on Trade in Species of Animals and Plants of Wild Fauna and Flora,’ or CITES for short, whereby anyone (whether a dealer, nurseryman, or free citizen) who disposes of such plants in any capacity must observe the rules expressed in the convention. Otherwise, there is a risk of incurring heavy fines and/or criminal penalties.
The official list of species covered by this convention is available at: list of animal and plant species included in cites.
Dichiarazione di conformità alla vendita di piante CITES
anyone who participates in the Festa del Cactus for the purpose of offering for any reason (sale, exchange, gift) plants and seeds subject to CITES regulation declares, under his or her full responsibility:
1. to know and comply with the Community regulation (EC REG No. 338/1997 and subsequent additions and amendments) regarding the trade in plants belonging to species included in the Washington Convention (CITES), as well as with the relevant Italian regulations (Law No. 150/92 and subsequent additions and amendments) and to be in compliance with all related legal requirements;
2. to assume all responsibility with respect to any violations of applicable regulations that may be committed;
3. to release the organizing committee of this event from any liability resulting from its possible failures.
In past editions, it has sometimes happened that exhibitors have suffered thefts, especially of particularly rare and expensive small plant specimens. It is recommended that you prepare your display as best you can by keeping, as far as possible, the most minute and sought-after specimens away from the easy grasp of the unwary.
Collaboration among vendors is key to curbing theft: we keep an eye on our own products, but occasionally take a look at a neighbor’s stall, especially if he is alone at his store.
If we suffer a theft, it is important to notify the organization right away, and they will notify everyone present of the incident: if the evildoer feels hunted, perhaps he will do less damage.
During closing hours, the presence of security personnel is guaranteed, so the sales area is not accessible. In cases of absolute necessity please notify this organization to allow extraordinary access of authorized persons.
It is reminded that night watch services are arranged in order to avert the introduction of people who may commit theft and damage. However, this organization disclaims all civil and criminal liability for any damages implemented by third parties despite the presence of supervision.
Set-up of one’s sales space is scheduled for Friday from 7 a.m. and must end at 3 p.m.
Dismantling of the display may take place on Sunday after 7 p.m.
Carts used for transporting plants must be momentarily parked in the designated area for the entire duration of the event.
Partner
Host sponsor
Conference sponsor
Law firm
