Carvé of San Germano Vercellese
The town's historic carnival, featuring allegorical parades, a bean feast, and the burning of the babaciu
About Carvé of San Germano
The heart of the San Germano Vercellese carnival
The Carvé is the historic carnival of San Germano Vercellese, a small town in the province of Vercelli, in the heart of the Piedmontese rice-growing plains. The name itself, in the Piedmontese dialect, refers to the carnival and encapsulates a popular identity rooted for generations: for a few days, the town transforms into a stage of color, music, and tradition, centered around its official masks, the Giarman and the Giarmanina.
Parades and allegorical floats
The most anticipated moments are the allegorical parades: floats carefully crafted by local groups and masked participants traverse the town center, leading both adults and children in a festive procession. Several parades take place during the event, including the evocative night parade that precedes the final bonfire. Everything begins with the traditional handing over of the town keys to the masks, who are welcomed at the station and accompanied in a procession to the Town Hall along with the Pifferi e Tamburi di Santhià.
The bean feast and the burning of the babaciu
The gastronomic and symbolic heart of the Carvé is the bean feast in the square, distributed to everyone on the final day: a humble traditional peasant dish that brings the community together. The festival concludes with the burning of the babaciu, the puppet that is set ablaze to bid farewell to the carnival, a ritual gesture marking the end of winter and the return to daily life.
Balls, dance halls, and dance evenings
Every evening, the dance hall set up in Piazza Giovane Italia enlivens the town with DJ sets, ballroom music, and orchestras, for a carnival that is a celebration for the entire community, from children to the elderly. There is also the Children's Ball, dedicated to the little ones.
A Vercelli tradition
Organized by the Pro Loco Famija Sangermaneisa with the support of the Municipality, the Carvé is part of the rich landscape of carnivals in the province of Vercelli, among the most vibrant in Piedmont. Participating means discovering the authenticity of a genuine village festival, where popular tradition is still the protagonist.
Carvé of San Germano — edition 2026
The 2026 Carvé of San Germano Vercellese enlivened the town from February 5 to 9, with official masks Giarmanina Michela Palumbo and Giarman Nicholas Prevelato. The event was organized by the Pro Loco Famija Sangermaneisa with the support of the Municipality.
Program: Friday, February 6, gathering in Piazza Garibaldi with the Pifferi e Tamburi di Santhià, arrival of the masks by train, and procession to the Town Hall for the handing over of the keys, followed by the first evening in the dance hall. Saturday, February 7, the first allegorical parade and dance evening with Radio Gran Paradiso. Sunday, February 8, Mass, the second allegorical procession, and a dance evening with L'Allegra Compagnia. Monday, February 9, the bean feast in the square, the Children's Ball, the third night parade with the burning of the babaciu, and the grand finale in the dance hall.
Programme Carvé of San Germano 2026
- Thursday, February 5 — Preview and visits by the masks
- Friday, February 6 — 5:45 PM gathering in Piazza Garibaldi with the Pifferi e Tamburi di Santhià; 6:30 PM arrival of the masks by train and procession to the Town Hall for the handing over of the keys; 9:00 PM first evening in the dance hall (Piazza Giovane Italia) with DJ
- Saturday, February 7 — 2:00 PM first allegorical parade; 9:00 PM dance evening with Radio Gran Paradiso
- Sunday, February 8 — 10:30 AM Holy Mass; 2:00 PM second allegorical procession; 9:00 PM dance evening with L'Allegra Compagnia
- Monday, February 9 — 11:30 AM bean feast in the square; 3:30 PM Children's Ball; 7:30 PM third night parade and burning of the babaciu; 10:00 PM dance hall with DJ
Highlights Carvé of San Germano 2026
- The official masks Giarmanina and Giarman and the handing over of the town keys
- The three allegorical parades of floats and masked groups, including the night parade
- The traditional bean feast in the square
- The burning of the babaciu to conclude the carnival
Prices Carvé of San Germano 2026
Practical information — Carvé of San Germano
How to get there
San Germano Vercellese is located in the province of Vercelli, Piedmont, along the route between Vercelli and Santhià. By car, it can be reached via the A4 Turin-Milan motorway (Santhià or Vercelli Ovest exits). By train, the San Germano Vercellese station is served by the Turin-Milan line.
Where it takes place
The events are held in the historic town center, with dances and evening events in Piazza Giovane Italia and gatherings in Piazza Garibaldi.
Admission and costs
Access to the parades and events in the square is free. Entry to the dance evenings is free; a small fee is required for table reservations.
Contacts
Pro Loco Famija Sangermaneisa: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Carvé of San Germano
Centro storico e piazza Giovane Italia