Carnevarone of Rivarone

Carnevarone, a village festival in Rivarone

Carnevarone is the signature carnival event in the municipality of Rivarone, a village of just under four hundred souls nestled in the Alessandria lowlands, between the towns of Bassignana, Montecastello, and Alluvioni Piovera, in the Province of Alessandria (Piedmont). Far from the large tourist-heavy carnivals, this is an authentic celebration, created by the locals for the locals, which fills a winter day with color and joy every year.

A parade in historical costume

The heart of the event is the parade of masked groups, featuring historical costumes inspired by the period between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. This detail sets Carnevarone apart from more conventional carnivals: no plastic masks here, but carefully crafted outfits that evoke a specific era as they parade through the streets and squares of the historic center.

The float and the Sgheya-Ans-La Jasa tradition

Enhancing the festivities is a historic float linked to the local Nordic carnival tradition, the Sgheya-Ans-La Jasa. The float brings references to local carnival culture into the square, blending popular spirit and theatrical flair into one grand parade.

Fun for children

Carnevarone does not forget the little ones: in the afternoon, there are pentolacce, the traditional carnival game that delights children with confetti, sweets, and surprises. It is a festival designed for families, where different generations of the village come together.

A convivial carnival

Like any self-respecting village festival, Carnevarone concludes with a sense of conviviality, a moment for participants to spend time together. For those looking to discover the most genuine side of Piedmontese carnival traditions, far from the crowds of major events, Rivarone is a destination worth the trip into the Alessandria plains.