BOOM - The Children's Festival
Two days of games, workshops, and shows for children in the heart of Novara
About BOOM Novara
BOOM, when Novara becomes a city for children
Every spring, the historic center of Novara, the capital of the province of the same name in Piedmont, transforms for an entire weekend into a giant, sprawling playground. BOOM - The Children's Festival is the event that the Municipality of Novara dedicates to children and their families: for two days, the city squares change their appearance, becoming themed spaces animated by games, magic, music, sports, creative workshops, and performances. It is a completely free event that attracts thousands of people every year.
Eleven themed squares to explore
The heart of the festival is Sunday, when the urban core of Novara fills with themed squares, each with its own identity and activities. From sports to magic, music to art, ecology to animal friends, and even ancient crafts and traditional games, there is something for everyone. Children can move freely from one square to another, discovering a variety of offerings designed to stimulate creativity, movement, and curiosity.
The BOOM Passport
The most beloved element of the event is the BOOM passport: every child receives a small booklet to be stamped in the various squares. Collecting stamps turns the festival into a real adventure—a game within a game that encourages families to explore the entire city center and ensures they don't miss any of the themed areas set up for the occasion.
An event for the whole family
BOOM goes beyond simple entertainment: with green workshops focused on recycling and sustainability, environmental education activities, shows, and animations, the festival combines fun with educational content. The event involves numerous local associations and organizations, turning Novara into a community laboratory where families can spend a day together in the open air in the heart of the city.
BOOM Novara — edition 2026
The seventh edition of BOOM - The Children's Festival enlivened the center of Novara on May 30 and 31, 2026, confirming its status as one of the most beloved events for local families. The event, free and promoted by the Municipality of Novara, was spread over two days with different but complementary characters: one dedicated to nature and sustainability, the other to the beating heart of the city.
Programme BOOM Novara 2026
Saturday, May 30 - Experience Family Day
The first day took place at the Oasi Tech of Biodiversity at Parco Golgi, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a program dedicated to nature, sustainability, and play:
- Guided walks with experts from the technical partner 3Bee
- Listening to pollinating insects using Spectrum technology
- Free ice cream distribution for children by the Gelandia Truck from Oleggio
- Baby dance and revival DJ sets for children and parents
- Creative and green workshops dedicated to recycling and the sustainable city
- Traditional games area with classic activities and group games
Sunday, May 31 - The eleven themed squares
On Sunday, the festival moved to the historic center, where eleven squares changed their appearance to host themed activities:
- Sport Square - Castle Courtyard
- Heroes Square - Piazza Puccini and Allea
- Ecology Square - Piazza Martiri (ZTL)
- Kid's Art Square - Broletto Courtyard
- Circus and Magic Square - Piazza Duomo
- Music Square - Canonica Quadriportico
- Animal Friends Square - Piazza delle Erbe
- Crafts Square - Palazzo Natta Garden
- Flight Square - Corso Mazzini
- Snapshots & Colors Square - Piazza Matteotti
- Games Square - Piazza Gramsci
For this edition as well, every child was given the BOOM passport to be stamped in the various squares to experience the complete adventure through the city center.
Highlights BOOM Novara 2026
Prices BOOM Novara 2026
Practical information — BOOM Novara
When
The last weekend of May. The main activities are concentrated on Sunday afternoon in the historic center.
Where
Historic center of Novara: the city squares are set up with various themed areas. Some activities also take place at Parco Golgi.
Admission
Admission is free and open to all, with no ticket required. Activities are designed for children and families.
How to get there
Novara is easily accessible by train (station on the Turin-Milan line) and by car via the A4 motorway. A pedestrian area and ZTL (restricted traffic zone) are established in the center for the occasion.
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Where does it take place — BOOM Novara
Centro storico di Novara