Stand-Up Comedy at the Castle

Stand-up comedy comes to the Castle of Galliate

In the heart of eastern Piedmont, just a few kilometers from Novara, the Visconti-Sforza Castle in Galliate opens its halls to one of the most vibrant forms of entertainment today: stand-up comedy. The Stand-Up Comedy at the Castle festival transforms the refined Neo-Gothic Hall into a comedy club, where a lone comedian in front of a microphone recounts the world with a sharp, ironic, and personal gaze.

A festival born and raised in Galliate

The initiative is organized by the cultural association Downstreet APS - Big Lebowski Culture Club of Novara, in collaboration with the Municipality of Galliate. Following its 2025 debut, which was met with great enthusiasm and several sold-out shows, the festival returns in 2026 for its second consecutive edition, proving that live comedy has found a loyal audience in Galliate. As the municipal administration noted, you know a cultural project works when people keep coming back.

Emerging talents and established names

The lineup alternates between emerging artists and established comedians from the national scene, featuring diverse comedic styles: from autobiographical storytelling to nonsense, and from social satire to the absurd. Each evening is a unique monologue, designed for an adult audience that loves to laugh and be surprised.

A unique setting in the Novara area

What makes this festival special is its venue: the Neo-Gothic Hall of the Castle of Galliate, a fortress commissioned by Galeazzo Maria Sforza at the end of the 15th century and now one of the most significant monuments in the province of Novara. Watching a stand-up show within the walls of a Renaissance castle is an experience that combines historical heritage with contemporary culture, in the true spirit of Piedmont.

Why it's worth attending

• A long season, from February to May, with seven events spread across the months.
• An evocative, historic location in the center of Galliate.
• A mix of emerging and established comedians at affordable prices.
• An intimate and direct atmosphere, typical of the best comedy clubs.