Borgo Valsugana Carnival – Bigolada

The Borgo Valsugana Carnival

Every year, during the Carnival season, the center of Borgo Valsugana transforms into a grand open-air stage. The Bigolada is the most anticipated event of the local calendar: a popular festival that fills Piazza Alcide Degasperi with masks, colors, music, and the aroma of freshly cooked pasta. The event is organized with passion by the Borgo Valsugana Volunteer Firefighters, who have been meticulously managing every detail for years.

The tradition of bigoli

The heart of the festival is the free distribution of bigoli, the characteristic thick, rough long pasta found throughout Northern Italy. Prepared in large pots right in the square and served hot to everyone present, bigoli are a symbol of a convivial tradition rooted in the region's rural culture. The distribution, which begins at noon, attracts numerous visitors every year from across Valsugana and the rest of Trentino.

The float parade

In the early afternoon, the festivities kick into high gear with the parade of allegorical floats and masked groups, winding through the historic streets amidst applause and confetti. It is the most spectacular moment of the day, the result of weeks of preparation by local associations and groups competing for prizes for the best float and costume.

Entertainment and games

The Bigolada is a festival designed especially for families. In the afternoon, children can enjoy a disco-show and face painting, while adults can participate in the couples' bigoli-eating contest, followed by the awards ceremony. The day concludes with a lottery draw, another unmissable tradition that keeps the party going until evening.

A community celebration

The Bigolada is much more than just a gastronomic event: it is a moment of identity and gathering for the community of Borgo Valsugana and the entire Province of Trento. Within the context of the Trentino Carnival, this event represents one of the most genuine and well-attended celebrations, perfectly blending tradition, great food, and festive spirit into a single day of masquerade fun.