Bosconero Carnival

The Bosconero Carnival, heart of Canavese tradition

For over forty years, the Bosconero Carnival has brought the streets of Bosconero to life—a small town in the Metropolitan City of Turin nestled in the Canavese plains. Organized by the local Pro Loco, the event is much more than a simple costume party: it is a defining community celebration that blends folklore, conviviality, and traditional cuisine into a festival that renews itself every year.

The Chinota, Queen of the Poplar Groves

The absolute symbol of the Carnival is the Chinota, the "Queen of the Plareui" (the poplar groves, in the local dialect), the female mask chosen and crowned each year to represent the town. The Carnival Court, featuring the Grand Master of Ceremonies and traditional characters, revolves around her. The coronation, accompanied by an evocative torchlight procession in Piazza Martiri, officially opens the festivities and is one of the most cherished moments for the entire Bosconero community.

Parades, historical groups, and folklore

The most anticipated moment is the grand parade that winds through the town center: masks, music, and folk groups fill the town with color. Over the years, the festival has hosted historical masquerade groups, flag-wavers, and the drummers of the Contado di Castellamonte and the Compagnia del Pomo e della Punta, who bring the spirit of Canavese historical re-enactments to Bosconero.

The bean stew, a ritual of taste and community

The gastronomic heart of the festival is the traditional fagiolata: after Holy Mass and the blessing of the beans, the community gathers for the distribution of "beans and pork rinds" and for a convivial lunch. It is the quintessential folk dish, a symbol of sharing and deep roots in the local peasant culture.

A festival for the whole town

Between coronations, processions, mask awards, dance parties, and the midnight spaghetti feast offered by the Chinota, the Bosconero Carnival confirms its role as a great village festival in the Canavese. It is an opportunity to discover the traditions of Bosconero and the Province of Turin, experiencing the joy and colors of the Piedmontese carnival firsthand.