Candelo Carnival

The Candelo Carnival

The Candelo Carnival is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of this small town in the province of Biella, in the heart of Piedmont. For an entire weekend in February, the village—known throughout Italy for its medieval Ricetto—comes alive with music, color, and folklore, bringing residents and visitors together around a popular tradition passed down for generations.

A tradition born in the stables

The Candelo Carnival has its roots in the peasant life of the past: during the long winter months, the village youth would gather in the stables to prepare floats and costumes, turning necessity into an occasion for conviviality and collective fun. From that custom, the festival that still marks Candelo's calendar today was born.

The historical masks

The true protagonists of the Carnival are the traditional local masks:

• The Tulun: represents the peasant origins of Candelo and, according to local legend, is linked to the corn cob, a symbol of the people who lived off the work in the fields.
• The Count and Countess of Ysangarda: embody the local nobility and recall the feudal lords who inhabited the fortified fortress of Ysangarda, which was destroyed in the 15th century.

The most solemn moment is the handing over of the town keys to the Masks, which symbolically marks the official start of the festivities.

The program

The festival takes place over a weekend, featuring an evening dedicated to young people, the grand Carnival night with live music and a convivial dinner, and an afternoon designed for children with dancing, games, and fancy dress. The activities are held mainly at the Salone Polivalente and in the spaces of the historic center, just a stone's throw from the famous Ricetto.

Candelo and its Ricetto

Visiting Candelo during the Carnival is also an opportunity to discover the Ricetto, one of the best-preserved medieval fortified villages in Europe, the identity heart of the town and a tourist destination for the entire Biella area. The festival is organized by the Pro Loco Tourist Association of Candelo, in collaboration with local associations.