Fosseno Strawberry Festival
The strawberry celebration in the heart of the Vergante, on the hills of Lake Maggiore
About Fosseno Strawberry Festival
An ancient tradition on the Vergante hills
The Fosseno Strawberry Festival is one of the longest-running events in the Vergante, the hilly plateau overlooking the Piedmontese shore of Lake Maggiore. It takes place in the village of Fosseno, in the municipality of Nebbiuno (Province of Novara), a hamlet that has been famous for its strawberry cultivation since the late 1950s. In the 1960s, local production reached significant levels, with exports reaching Switzerland and sales in the markets of Novara and Varese; the prized “Madame Mounton” variety was particularly sought after. Today, large-scale cultivation has ceased, but the festival remains the annual June appointment that celebrates this agricultural heritage.
The signature dish: strawberry risotto
The gastronomic heart of the festival is the strawberry risotto, a unique dish appreciated by visitors from across the province. This specialty is the centerpiece of the menus served at the food stalls set up in the village center, accompanied by strawberry-based products: artisanal jams, traditional desserts, and, of course, fresh strawberries for sale at the stands.
Three days of celebration
The event brings the village to life for an entire weekend with the strawberry market, craft stalls, live music, DJ sets, and numerous activities for families and children. The festival is also an opportunity to discover the charming corners of Fosseno, such as the Church of Sant'Agata and the panoramic Sasso del Pizzo, which offers breathtaking views over Lake Maggiore.
Organizers
Behind the festival is the Nuova Famiglia Fossenese del Cucù, the association that has been preserving the village's traditions for decades and also organizes the polenta and chestnut festivals. Thanks to the volunteer work of this community, the strawberry festival continues to be a landmark in the calendar of Piedmontese events in the Vergante area.
Why it's worth visiting
- An authentic village festival, far from mass tourism
- Strawberry risotto, a specialty hard to find elsewhere
- The unique landscape setting between the hills and Lake Maggiore
- Craft markets, live music, and activities for the whole family
Fosseno Strawberry Festival — edition 2026
L'edizione 2026 della Sagra della Fragola di Fosseno ha animato la frazione di Nebbiuno per tre giornate, dal 5 al 7 giugno, confermando la formula che unisce gastronomia, musica e tradizione contadina. Al centro della festa, come sempre, il risotto alle fragole e i prodotti a base del frutto simbolo. Tra mercato della fragola, mercatini dell'artigianato, cene in piazza, musica dal vivo e laboratori per bambini, la manifestazione organizzata dalla Nuova Famiglia Fossenese del Cucù ha richiamato visitatori da tutta la Provincia di Novara e dal Vergante.
Programme Fosseno Strawberry Festival 2026
Venerdì 5 giugno
- Apertura del mercato della fragola
- Aperitivo del Cucù
- Cena cantata e DJ set con DJ Red (i partecipanti sono invitati a indossare qualcosa di rosso, in omaggio al frutto simbolo della sagra)
Sabato 6 giugno
- Mercato e mercatini
- Aperitivo
- Cena in piazza con musica e balli a cura dell'orchestra Lusien In Musica
Domenica 7 giugno
- Vendita di fragole fresche e mercatino dell'artigianato
- Passeggiate nei boschi con letture
- Laboratori creativi per bambini a cura dell'associazione StraVergante
- Pranzo nei punti ristoro
- Esibizione della Filarmonica Ossolana e merenda tradizionale del pomeriggio
Durante tutto il fine settimana è possibile scoprire angoli suggestivi di Fosseno come la Chiesa di Sant'Agata e il panoramico Sasso del Pizzo.
Highlights Fosseno Strawberry Festival 2026
Prices Fosseno Strawberry Festival 2026
Practical information — Fosseno Strawberry Festival
How to get there
Fosseno is a hamlet of Nebbiuno (NO), on the Vergante hills. By car: take the A26 motorway to the Arona exit, then follow provincial roads towards Nebbiuno (about 15-20 minutes). The nearest train station is Arona, on the Milan-Domodossola line, from where you can continue by car or local transport.
Admission
Admission to the festival is free; food and drinks are available for purchase at the stalls.
Information and contacts
Municipality of Nebbiuno: +39 0322 58001 (Piazza IV Novembre 1, 28010 Nebbiuno). Updates on dates and programs are available on the social media channels of the Nuova Famiglia Fossenese del Cucù (Facebook and Instagram).
Tips
The festival is traditionally held in the second week of June: it is advisable to check the exact dates before traveling. Parking is available near the village, but spots are limited during peak meal times.
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Where does it take place — Fosseno Strawberry Festival
Frazione Fosseno