Olympic Fringe Festival

A Spread-Out Theatre for the Olympic Games

The Olympic Fringe Festival is the performing arts event that enlivened the center of Busto Arsizio, in the province of Varese, on the occasion of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Created to accompany the Olympic atmosphere in the region, it transformed squares and streets in the historic center into an open-air stage, with shows, performances, and scattered entertainment.

Art Among the Squares

The festival brought performing and street arts shows to the city streets, in a travelling format that invited the public to stroll and discover the various stages dotted around the center. A way to experience the city in a festive mood and to link the international sporting event with a local cultural experience.

A Territorial Project

The initiative was promoted by Fondazione Varese Welcome and the Chamber of Commerce of Varese, with the involvement of several municipalities in the area. The objective was twofold: to animate city centers during the Olympic days and to generate concrete benefits for the commerce and attractiveness of the involved cities.

A Great Public Success

The Olympic Fringe Festival saw a significant turnout in Busto Arsizio, with over 21,000 total attendees and a considerable increase compared to previous weekends. Most visitors stayed in the center for a long time, confirming the event's ability to enhance the heart of the Lombard city and attract audiences from outside the province and from abroad.