Biella Carnival
A month of masks, parades, and tradition between the city center and the Piazzo district
About Biella Carnival
The Biella Carnival, a festival for the whole city
The Biella Carnival is one of the most beloved popular events in the capital of the Biella area, in Piedmont. For nearly a month, between late January and late February, the Municipality of Biella comes alive with allegorical parades, dance parties, theatrical performances, and events dedicated to children, involving the city center and the districts of Chiavazza, Thes, Vernato, Barazzetto, and the charming Piazzo district.
Gipin and Catlin-a, the historical masks
At the heart of the festival are the traditional Biella masks: Gipin, a witty and good-natured farmer from Camandona, and his companion Catlin-a. Legend links the two figures to Babi, the mask of Vercelli, in a friendly rivalry that tells the story of the local popular identity. At the opening of the Carnival, Gipin symbolically receives the keys to the city, officially kicking off the festivities.
Parades, bean feasts, and gastronomy
The program alternates large allegorical parades with floats and masked groups with traditional bean feasts, convivial moments where beans are distributed according to traditional recipes, such as the Thes Bean Feast and the historic Piazzo District Bean Feast. There is no shortage of dance parties, the fun Karneval Run, and events designed for families.
The 'Folle Notte' in Piazzo
The grand finale takes place in the evocative Piazzo district, the medieval core of Biella reachable by the historic funicular. This is where the Folle Notte takes place, an evening featuring all the masks amidst live music, DJ sets, and entertainment, capable of attracting thousands of visitors to the streets and squares of the old town.
A free, popular festival
Organized by the Biella Carnival Committee together with the Gipin and Catlin-a Group, neighborhood committees, and numerous associations and volunteers, the Biella Carnival is a widespread event with free participation, a symbol of the community spirit of this Piedmontese city at the foot of the Biellese Alps.
Biella Carnival — edition 2026
Carnevale di Biella 2026
Il programma 2026 si è aperto il 30 gennaio con serate danzanti a Peschiera di Valdengo e lo spettacolo "Cucunclave" al teatro parrocchiale di Chiavazza. Il 31 gennaio l'apertura ufficiale con il ritrovo in piazza San Giovanni Bosco, la sfilata delle maschere e la consegna delle chiavi della città al Gipin a Palazzo Oropa. Il 1° febbraio la sfilata allegorica da piazza XXV Aprile a Chiavazza con carri e gruppi mascherati e la Fagiolata del Thes.
Tra gli appuntamenti centrali il Bal dal Lunes (9 febbraio), la Karneval Run da Piazzale Casalegno e la 63ª Cena delle maschere del Carnevale del Thes (14 febbraio), il Carnevale dei bambini (16-17 febbraio) e il gran finale al Rione Piazzo: il 21 febbraio il folle pomeriggio dei bambini e la Folle Notte in piazza Cisterna, e il 22 febbraio la 52ª Fagiolata del Rione Piazzo in piazza Mario Cucco.
Programme Biella Carnival 2026
- 30 gennaio - Serata danzante con le maschere a Peschiera di Valdengo (ore 21) e spettacolo "Cucunclave" al teatro parrocchiale di Chiavazza (ore 21)
- 31 gennaio - Apertura ufficiale: ritrovo in piazza San Giovanni Bosco (ore 14), sfilata delle maschere (ore 14.30), merenda (ore 16) e consegna delle chiavi al Gipin a Palazzo Oropa (ore 17)
- 1° febbraio - Sfilata allegorica da piazza XXV Aprile a Chiavazza (ore 14) e Fagiolata del Thes in via Ivrea (ore 14.30)
- 9 febbraio - Bal dal Lunes a Peschiera di Valdengo (ore 21)
- 14 febbraio - Karneval Run da Piazzale Casalegno (ore 14) e 63ª Cena maschere del Carnevale del Thes al Centro Incontro Vernato (ore 19.30)
- 16-17 febbraio - Carnevale dei bambini in più sedi
- 21 febbraio - Folle pomeriggio dei bambini (ore 14) e Folle Notte in piazza Cisterna al Piazzo (ore 21)
- 22 febbraio - 52ª Fagiolata del Rione Piazzo in piazza Mario Cucco (ore 12)
Highlights Biella Carnival 2026
Prices Biella Carnival 2026
Practical information — Biella Carnival
How to get there
Biella can be reached by car via the A4 motorway (Carisio or Santhià exits) and by train via the Biella San Paolo station. The Piazzo district, home to the grand finale, can be reached on foot or by the historic funicular from the center.
When
Events take place between late January and late February, with the main highlights on weekends.
Costs
Most events are free or open to voluntary participation. Some dinners and bean feasts may require a fee; it is advisable to check the details on the Municipality of Biella's channels.
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Where does it take place — Biella Carnival
Centro storico e Rione Piazzo