Omegna Gioca
A day of play, creativity, and fun for all ages in the city of Gianni Rodari
About Omegna Gioca
Omegna Gioca: the festival of play in Gianni Rodari's city
Omegna Gioca is the annual spring event that transforms the historic center of Omegna, overlooking Lake Orta in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province (Piedmont), into a vast space dedicated to play and creativity. The event is a highlight of the Gianni Rodari Children's Literature Festival and celebrates the spirit of the local author, who turned imagination and invention into a shared heritage.
A city-wide playground
For an entire day, Omegna's squares, streets, and courtyards are filled with children, families, and curious visitors. From 40 traditional game stations to inflatable play areas, and from treasure hunts in local shops to creative workshops, the program is designed to engage all ages. The event also features street performers, roving entertainment, and afternoon shows including stilt walkers, jugglers, magicians, puppeteers, and a spectacular fire show to close the day.
The Fantasy Park and the Toy Factories
The beating heart of the event is the Gianni Rodari Fantasy Park, the cultural institution that preserves and promotes the writer's legacy in Omegna. During Omegna Gioca, the interactive museum Le Fabbriche del Gioco (The Toy Factories)—the Park's third museum—was inaugurated, showcasing the materials, ideas, and manufacturing traditions of toys, inspired by Rodari's famous Blue Arrow.
Workshops, food, and tradition
- Puppet workshops hosted by the Mastronauta association
- 40 traditional game stations for all ages
- Inflatables, treasure hunts, exhibitions, and open-air painting
- Guided tour of the F.A.R.O. Toy Archive
- The Gioco Aperitivo with themed menus at participating bars and restaurants in the center
Promoted by the Municipality of Omegna with the support of the Piedmont Region, in collaboration with the Fantasy Park, the ViviamOmegna merchants' association, and the Fra il Cuore e la Mente and Mastronauta associations, Omegna Gioca is a largely free event that combines culture, community, and fun in one of the most charming locations in the Cusio area.
Omegna Gioca — edition 2026
Program for Saturday, March 28, 2026
- 10:00 AM — Opening with roving jazz music by Dynamic through the city center
- 10:30 AM — Inauguration of the interactive museum Le Fabbriche del Gioco at the Forum, the third museum of the Fantasy Park
- 12:00 PM — Gioco Aperitivo with themed menus at participating bars and restaurants in the center
- From 3:00 PM — Puppet workshop with Mastronauta in Largo Cobianchi, inflatables in various squares, treasure hunt in shops, exhibitions, open-air painting, creative workshops, and 40 traditional game stations
- Guided tour of the F.A.R.O. Toy Archive (by reservation)
Programme Omegna Gioca 2026
Program for Saturday, March 28, 2026
A full day of play throughout the historic center of Omegna, from morning until evening.
- 10:00 AM — Roving jazz music with Dynamic
- 10:30 AM — Inauguration of the interactive museum Le Fabbriche del Gioco at the Forum (Fantasy Park)
- 12:00 PM — Gioco Aperitivo: themed menus and prizes at participating venues
- 3:00 PM — 4:00 PM — Stilt walker Sara, roving entertainment
- 3:30 PM — 5:00 PM — Lollipop show
- 4:00 PM — 5:30 PM — Juggling and magic
- From the afternoon — Puppet workshop with Mastronauta (Largo Cobianchi), inflatables in various squares, treasure hunt in shops, exhibitions, open-air painting, 40 traditional game stations
- From 5:30 PM — Fire show to close the day
On Sunday, March 29, following the event, the theatrical performance Fantasie by Gek Tessaro will be held at the Forum, with free admission.
Highlights Omegna Gioca 2026
Prices Omegna Gioca 2026
Practical information — Omegna Gioca
Location
Omegna (VB), Piedmont. The event takes place throughout the historic center: Fantasy Park, Largo Cobianchi, and the main city squares and streets.
How to get there
By car: A26 motorway, exit Gravellona Toce, then SS229 to Omegna. By train: Omegna station on the Novara–Domodossola line. Omegna is located at the northern end of Lake Orta.
Costs
The event is mostly free. The guided tour of the F.A.R.O. Toy Archive requires a reservation; themed menus for the Gioco Aperitivo at participating venues typically range from 8 to 15 euros.
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Where does it take place — Omegna Gioca
Parco della Fantasia Gianni Rodari e centro storico