May Day Festival
Two days of music, dialogue, and youth engagement at the foot of the Sforza Castle in Galliate
About May Day Festival
A festival for youth in the heart of Galliate
The May Day Festival is one of the freshest and most popular initiatives in the event calendar of Galliate, a town in the Province of Novara, Piedmont. Launched in 2025 to give a voice to the new generation, the festival takes place in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, with the silhouette of the Sforza Castle providing a scenic backdrop for the two-day program.
Promoted by the Municipality of Galliate through the Department of Youth Policies, Sport, and Events, the event revolves around the #DoWhatYouLove slogan: an invitation for young people to recognize the value of their passions and become protagonists of community life.
Music, dialogue, and community
The festival's formula is intentionally cross-disciplinary, combining different experiences in one space. On one hand, there are talks and debates dedicated to the relationship between youth and the world of work, featuring institutions, associations, and personal testimonies; on the other, live concerts, DJ sets, and artistic performances that bring the square to life until late in the evening.
The convivial atmosphere is a highlight, with a dinner in the square and a food & drink area managed by local businesses, alongside booths from numerous associations that join the initiative every year, such as Libera Novara and Amnesty International.
A growing project
The inaugural 2025 edition drew over 2,000 people to the square, confirming the city's desire for an event dedicated to young people. Building on this success, the festival expanded from one to two days, offering an increasingly rich program of music, participation, and social interaction.
The municipal administration has confirmed its commitment to growing the project in future years, highlighting an event that combines culture, participation, and a focus on the younger generation in Galliate.
Why attend
- Free admission and an atmosphere open to all ages
- Live concerts, DJ sets, and performances in the square
- Talks and discussions on work and the future of youth
- Dinner in the square and local food & drink area
- A unique setting at the foot of the Sforza Castle of Galliate
May Day Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the May Day Festival doubled its offering compared to its debut, extending over two days. The #DoWhatYouLove theme was confirmed, dedicated to young people and the value of their passions.
The event, promoted by the Department of Youth Policies, Sport, and Events of the Municipality of Galliate, alternated moments of discussion with institutions and associations with musical and artistic performances, attracting a wide and diverse audience to Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
Programme May Day Festival 2026
Friday, May 1st
Opening with a discussion dedicated to the theme "Today's youth and the world of work tomorrow", with the participation of local associations.
- Live music with Kamahatma & Le Allieve del Folk
- Skassapunka
- DJ set by Dj Chrix
Saturday, May 2nd
Talk "Young Protagonists", followed by dinner in the square.
- Mefisto Brass
- DJ set by Dj Chrix
For both days, a food & drink area was set up with local businesses, association booths, and exhibition spaces. The event was hosted by actor and monologist Emanuele Tumolo and Sarah Verzì, representative of Libera Novara.
Highlights May Day Festival 2026
Prices May Day Festival 2026
Practical information — May Day Festival
Location
Piazza Vittorio Veneto, in the historic center of Galliate (NO), at the foot of the Sforza Castle.
How to get there
By car: Galliate is easily accessible from the A4 Turin-Milan motorway (Novara or Marcallo-Mesero exits) and the state road towards the Ticino area. By train: the Galliate station is served by the Novara-Saronno-Milan line. From the station, the center is reachable on foot in a few minutes.
Admission and hours
Admission is free. The festival evenings generally run from 6:00 PM until late at night. For the updated program and detailed schedules, we recommend checking the official channels of the Municipality of Galliate.
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Where does it take place — May Day Festival
Piazza Vittorio Veneto
Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 28066 Galliate