San Matteuccio

San Matteuccio, the spring festival of Nichelino

San Matteuccio is the spring event that animates the municipality of Nichelino, in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, every year. It is the smaller edition of the festivities in honor of San Matteo, the city's patron saint: the name itself, with its affectionate diminutive, distinguishes this spring event from the major patronal feast held in September. For families in Nichelino and surrounding towns, it is one of the first opportunities of the year to gather outdoors and enjoy a few evenings of fun.

A large funfair at Piazzale Polesani nel Mondo

The heart of the event is the funfair set up in Piazzale Polesani nel Mondo, which is closed to traffic and parking for the entire duration of the event to accommodate rides, attractions, and the caravans of the traveling show operators. For about a month, the square fills with bright lights, bumper cars, rides for the little ones, and adrenaline-pumping attractions for teenagers, in a festive atmosphere that is best experienced at dusk.

An event for all ages

San Matteuccio is a festival designed especially for children and young people, but it is capable of involving entire families. Between one ride and another, there is no shortage of stalls selling sweets, cotton candy, brittle, and the inevitable fairground delicacies that have always been part of the Italian funfair tradition. The event confirms the deep bond between the community of Nichelino and its patron saint, experienced not only in the religious dimension of September but also in this lighter, more festive moment of spring.

Nichelino and the Metropolitan City of Turin

Nichelino is a populous municipality in the southern outskirts of Turin, in the Metropolitan City of Turin, well-connected to the Piedmontese capital. Its proximity to the Reggia di Venaria and especially the nearby Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, one of the jewels of Savoyard Baroque, makes it a reference point for those who want to combine a day of family leisure with a visit to the territory's historical heritage.