Summer in the Square

A festival that lights up the village summer

Summer in the Square is the summer programme of the Municipality of Guardabosone, one of the most characteristic villages in Valsesia, located in the Province of Vercelli, Piedmont. From June until mid-September, Piazza della Repubblica and other local venues become the beating heart of community life, with a schedule that weaves together theatre, music, gastronomy, sports, and wellness. It is a summer of open-air evenings, social gatherings, and traditions, designed for both year-round residents and the many holidaymakers who choose Guardabosone for its peace and atmosphere.

The 2026 Programme

The 2026 edition kicks off in June with a series of events spread across the square, farmhouses, gardens, and historic sites of the village:

• Friday, June 5th, 6:00 PM — "Summer Vibes" at Agriturismo La Burla, with live music and DJ sets to inaugurate the season (dinner by reservation).
• Friday, June 5th, 9:00 PM — In Piazza della Repubblica, the theatrical comedy "Pianoforte vendesi" performed by the Le Tre Cavaglie company.
• Sunday, June 14th, 11:00 AM — "Bread Festival" at the historic S.O.M.S. oven, featuring street food lunch.
• Saturday, June 20th, 10:00 AM — "Barlafüs Summer Party" at Osteria La Barrique, with food, drinks, and music.
• Sunday, June 21st — International Yoga Day, with conferences and experiences, and in the evening, in the Parish House garden, Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" directed by Alice Salvaldi with the IncontrArti theatre group.

The programme continues in the following months with new events including music, exhibitions, literary presentations, village feasts, and social moments, concluding in mid-September. The programme is updated throughout the season by the municipal administration.

The Festival of Lights, symbol of the Guardabosone summer

Among the most beloved events of the Guardabosone summer is the Festival of Lights (or "Night of the Lights"), an evening when the village's public lighting is turned off and thousands of small flames illuminate alleys, stairways, and squares, transforming the town into a fairytale village. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the cultural heritage of Guardabosone, with its museums open for the occasion, amidst music, art, and local flavours.

Guardabosone, a village to discover

Nestled on the hills rising towards Monte Rosa, Guardabosone is a village in lower Valsesia known for its cobbled alleys, stone houses, and small museums that tell the story of its history and traditions. The Summer in the Square festival was created to bring these spaces to life during the warmer months, offering a rich and accessible summer where every event is an opportunity to meet and rediscover the authentic soul of the Piedmontese mountains.