XXL Street Food Festival
Three days of street food, music, and hot air balloon flights in San Nazzaro Sesia
About XXL Street Food Festival
Street food takes center stage in San Nazzaro Sesia
In the heart of the Bassa Novarese, amidst the rice paddies that define the Piedmontese landscape, the Municipality of San Nazzaro Sesia (Province of Novara) hosts the XXL Street Food Festival, an event that fills the town's streets and squares with aromas and flavors for three days. Food trucks offer the best of street cuisine, from Italian regional specialties to international dishes, in a culinary journey designed for all ages.
More than just food: music and entertainment
The event goes beyond gastronomy. Evenings are enlivened by DJ sets and karaoke sessions in the square, while the daytime atmosphere remains vibrant and festive. For children, there are inflatables and a miniature train that travels through the village, making the event a perfect destination for families.
Hot air balloon flights
The festival's crown jewel is the free hot air balloon flight, offered at the municipal sports field on Saturday evening. It is a captivating experience suitable for everyone, offering a bird's-eye view of the rice paddies and bell towers of the Novara plains—a rare opportunity that draws visitors from all over the province to San Nazzaro Sesia.
The Abbey and the medieval re-enactment
The XXL Street Food Festival coincides with the Medieval Day held within the grounds of the stunning Abbey of Santi Nazario e Celso, one of the most fascinating Benedictine monastic complexes in Piedmont. With costumed re-enactors, ancient crafts, and recreations of 15th-century daily life, the abbey transforms into a time machine for a day, complete with guided tours of the monastic complex.
Traditional market stalls
To conclude the event on Monday morning, there are traditional market stalls, a market bringing local crafts, typical products, and the atmosphere of old country fairs to the town. A finale that connects the festival to the rural and farming roots of this corner of Piedmont.
XXL Street Food Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition confirmed the event's winning formula, spread over three days in May. Food trucks offered Italian and international street food specialties, accompanied by music, DJ sets, and karaoke in the square in the evenings. For families, there were inflatables and a miniature train for the little ones.
Saturday evening hosted the popular free hot air balloon flight at the municipal sports field. On Sunday, the grounds of the Abbey of Santi Nazario e Celso hosted the Medieval Day, with costumed re-enactors and recreations of 15th-century daily life. On Monday morning, the event concluded with the traditional market stalls.
Programme XXL Street Food Festival 2026
Saturday, May 9
- Opening of food trucks and the street food village in the town center
- Inflatables and miniature train for children
- Evening: DJ sets and karaoke in the square
- Evening: Free hot air balloon flight at the municipal sports field
Sunday, May 10
- Street food, music, and entertainment all day
- Medieval Day at the Abbey of Santi Nazario e Celso: costumed re-enactors, ancient crafts, 15th-century daily life, and guided tours of the monastic complex (from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, free admission)
- Evening: DJ sets and karaoke in the square
Monday, May 11
- Morning: Traditional market stalls
- Continuation of street food
Highlights XXL Street Food Festival 2026
Prices XXL Street Food Festival 2026
Practical information — XXL Street Food Festival
Getting there
San Nazzaro Sesia is located in the province of Novara, Piedmont. It can be reached by car via the A4 Turin-Milan motorway (Novara or Greggio exits) and the provincial roads of the Bassa Novarese. The nearest train station is in Novara, which has excellent connections to Turin and Milan.
Admission and activities
Access to the festival is free. The hot air balloon flight at the sports field is free of charge. Food and drinks from the food trucks are available for purchase according to the individual vendors' price lists.
Tips
We recommend planning your visit for Saturday evening to catch the hot air balloon flight and Sunday for the Medieval Day at the Abbey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking in the historic center.
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Where does it take place — XXL Street Food Festival
Centro storico e Abbazia dei Santi Nazario e Celso
Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 28060 San Nazzaro Sesia