Cardè Carnival

A village festival rooted in tradition

The Cardè Carnival is one of the most anticipated events of the year for the small town of Cardè, in the province of Cuneo, located in the heart of the Saluzzo plains in Piedmont. Organized by the local Pro Loco with the support of the municipality, the carnival brings the historic center to life with parades, confetti, masks, and shared joy, involving both adults and children in a celebration that is central to the town's identity.

The Portonè and the Marchesina, the official masks

At the heart of the Cardè carnival are its two official masks: the Portonè and the Marchesina. Their origins are tied to the very history of Cardè, once an important river village overlooking the right bank of the Po, equipped with a river port: the name "Portonè" refers to the person who coordinated the river port, a testament to the town's commercial and fluvial past. Alongside the main masks, a large team of Ladies-in-Waiting and Courtiers parades every year, adding color and movement to the procession.

The 2026 edition

For 2026, the Portonè mask is played by the returning Alessio Rolando, while the Marchesina is portrayed by a new figure, Valeria Vaira. The main day of the festival, featuring the grand parade, is set for Saturday, March 7, 2026, although festivities, as per local tradition, are spread over several days and may continue beyond Shrove Tuesday.

A community carnival

More than just a spectacular event for large crowds, the Cardè Carnival is a community celebration: an occasion where the town gathers, associations collaborate, and generations meet around traditional masks. Over the years, the Cardè masks have also forged ties with other local areas, as evidenced by the twinning with San Sebastiano da Po, a sign of a network of friendships between Piedmontese villages united by a passion for carnival traditions.

Cardè and the Saluzzo territory

Visiting the Cardè Carnival is also an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of southern Piedmont, nestled between the cultivated plains of the province of Cuneo and the nearby lands of the Marquisate of Saluzzo. It is an experience that combines folklore, conviviality, and the pleasure of enjoying a popular festival far from the major tourist circuits, while respecting a tradition passed down from generation to generation.