Canestrello Festival
The traditional pastry of Crevacuore amidst Living Chess and medieval re-enactments
About Canestrello Festival
The Canestrello Festival in Crevacuore
In the village of Crevacuore, located in the province of Biella within the scenic Alto Piemonte region between Valsesia and Valsessera, the Canestrello Festival comes to life, dedicated to the town's symbolic pastry. The canestrello is a traditional artisanal biscuit—crisp, fragrant, and deeply rooted in the local culinary history. It is prepared on-site using the classic hinged iron heated over a fire, an ancient technique that has passed down a simple, authentic flavor from generation to generation.
A festival within the Living Chess event
The festival takes place during the most important weekend on the Crevacuore calendar: the Living Chess event, a medieval re-enactment that transforms the entire village into a scene from another era. As historical processions wind through the old town streets, with groups arriving from Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Aosta Valley, and street performers, jugglers, and jesters entertain the crowds, the festival stalls offer demonstrations and sales of freshly baked canestrelli, alongside other specialties of the Marchesato, such as spit-roasted bull.
The heart of the event: the Living Chess match
The highlight is the grand chess match played in Piazza Martiri della Libertà: the square is transformed into a giant chessboard where pawns, rooks, bishops, knights, kings, and queens come to life, portrayed by costumed performers. The re-enacted challenge features the Marquis Ferrero Fieschi, challenged by the prisoner Amedeo, a symbol of the people, in a theatrical performance that engages both actors and the audience.
Tradition, taste, and atmosphere
With its craft markets, medieval dinners in the village, falconry displays, children's entertainment, and evocative evening fire shows, the Canestrello Festival offers the perfect opportunity to discover the folk traditions of this corner of Piedmont. It is an event that blends a passion for history and re-enactment with the celebration of a local product, all within a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that draws visitors from across the region every year.
Canestrello Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition brings the first Canestrello Festival to Crevacuore, part of the highly anticipated Living Chess weekend on June 13 and 14. For two days, the village in the Biella province returns to the Middle Ages with historical processions, costumed groups from Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Aosta Valley, street performers, and the grand chess match played with living pieces in Piazza Martiri della Libertà. Alongside the re-enactment, the festival stalls offer live preparation and sales of the canestrello, baked with the traditional hinged iron.
Programme Canestrello Festival 2026
Saturday, June 13
- 14:30 — 5th Semi-rapid Chess Tournament
- 15:00 — Opening of the craft markets
- 16:00 — First Canestrello Festival: demonstration and sale of the typical artisanal biscuit (baked with hinged iron)
- 16:00 — Falconry show
- 16:30 — Medieval street entertainment
- 17:00 — First grand parade with the Marquis and historical procession
- 17:30 — Marquis' Aperitif
- 19:00 — Medieval Marchesato dinner in the village (new: spit-roasted bull)
- 20:30 — Second grand parade
- 21:30 — Living Chess Match in Piazza Martiri della Libertà
Sunday, June 14
- 15:00 — Children's entertainment (juggling, face painting, soap bubbles) and stalls
- 16:00 — Canestrello Festival
- 17:00 — Historical parade
- 17:15 — Theatrical performance "Scacchi… Matti" by the company Gli Instabili di Postua
- 19:00 — Marchesato Dinner
- 22:00 — Medieval fire show "Alchimia – Il Fuoco Supremo" by the company Lux Arcana in Piazza Martiri
- 22:45 — "Living Chess" lottery draw
Highlights Canestrello Festival 2026
Prices Canestrello Festival 2026
Practical information — Canestrello Festival
Getting there
Crevacuore is located in the province of Biella, in Alto Piemonte. By car, it can be reached via the A26 motorway (exit Romagnano-Ghemme or Borgosesia), then continuing towards Valsessera. The nearest train station is Borgosesia, which is connected by Atap bus lines.
Admission and hours
Admission to the events is free. The Canestrello Festival and related events take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings in the historic center and Piazza Martiri della Libertà.
Tips
Reservations are recommended for the medieval dinners and for takeaway spit-roasted bull (tel. +39 347 7668996). Comfortable footwear is recommended for navigating the village's cobblestone streets.
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Where does it take place — Canestrello Festival
Centro storico di Crevacuore
Piazza Martiri della Libertà, 13864 Crevacuore