CarneValenza
The Carnival of the City of Gold: a parade of floats and masked groups in the heart of Valenza
About CarneValenza
The Carnival of the City of Gold
CarneValenza is the grand Carnival celebration of Valenza, known worldwide as the city of gold for its ancient goldsmithing tradition, located in the heart of the Province of Alessandria, in Piedmont. Every year, during the Carnival season, the city center transforms into an open-air stage: Piazza Gramsci and the historic streets fill with allegorical floats, colorful masks, music, and laughter, in a day designed especially for families and children.
The Allegorical Float Parade
The heart of the event is the parade of floats and masked groups that winds through the historic center. The procession starts from Piazza Gramsci and travels along the main city streets—Corso Garibaldi, Via Pellizzari, Viale Vicenza, Via Mazzini, and the downtown roads—before returning to the starting point for the awards ceremony. The floats are crafted by local parishes, associations, and groups from Valenza and neighboring towns, who compete every year for the title of the most beautiful float.
Entertainment, Music, and Flavors
Beyond the parade, CarneValenza offers a program rich in entertainment: games, music, and activities for children, face painting, inflatables, and rides. The festival is accompanied by marching bands and street performers, while the streets of the center are lined with food stalls offering sweets, fritters, farinata, and typical Piedmontese Carnival specialties.
A Local Tradition
Organized by the Municipality of Valenza in collaboration with local entities, CarneValenza is one of the most cherished winter events in Valenza, involving the entire community, from associations and parishes to schools. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the authentic atmosphere of a local Carnival, defined by color, participation, and a sense of togetherness in one of the most distinctive cities of the Alessandria Monferrato.
CarneValenza — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of CarneValenza took place on Saturday, February 21, following its postponement from the original date of Sunday, February 8, due to bad weather. The day began in the morning in Piazza Gramsci with the opening of stalls selling sweets, fritters, and inflatables, before coming to life in the afternoon with the parade of floats and masked groups through the streets of the center. The festival, organized by the Municipality of Valenza in collaboration with Mediaservizi, offered games, music, and children's entertainment provided by Anima&Azione, concluding with the awards ceremony.
Programme CarneValenza 2026
Saturday, February 21, 2026
- Morning — opening of stalls: sweets, fritters, inflatables, and children's attractions in Piazza Gramsci
- 14:00 — gathering of floats and masked groups
- 15:00 — start of the parade from Piazza Gramsci along Corso Garibaldi, Piazza XXXI Martiri, Via Pellizzari, Viale Vicenza, Via Mazzini, Via Lega Lombarda, Viale Dante, and Via Melgara, returning to Piazza Gramsci
- 15:00-17:00 — games, music, face painting (by the Red Cross), and children's entertainment in the square
- 17:00 — awards ceremony for floats and masks
- 18:30 — end of entertainment
Participants in the parade included the Alessandria Civic Band and various local groups and floats: the Mirabello Oratory ("Carro-t-e le carote" float), the San Salvatore Oratory ("Mago Pupazzo e Cenerentola"), Acqui Eventi ("Re e Regina-Sgaientò a corte"), Vivere Insieme Happy Circus, and the Valle San Bartolomeo group (ValPop).
Highlights CarneValenza 2026
- Best float: ValPop (Valle San Bartolomeo)
- Largest group: Vivere Insieme Happy Circus
- Most original mask: "I Cubi di Rubik"
Prices CarneValenza 2026
Practical information — CarneValenza
When
CarneValenza takes place during the Carnival season, between February and March, generally on a single festive day. In case of bad weather, the event will be postponed.
Where
Piazza Gramsci and the streets of the historic center of Valenza (AL), in Piedmont.
How to get there
By car: Valenza can be reached via the A26 motorway (Casale Monferrato Sud exit) or the A21. By train: the Valenza station is connected to regional lines; Alessandria, an important railway hub, is about 15 km away. During the parade, traffic closures and parking bans are in effect on the streets involved in the procession.
Admission and information
The event is free and open to all. For information: Municipality of Valenza, tel. +39 0131 949156, [email protected].
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Where does it take place — CarneValenza
Piazza Gramsci e centro storico
Piazza Gramsci, 15048 Valenza