Cigliano Carnival
The Royal Court, the fasulere, and the bean feast in the heart of the Vercelli area
About Cigliano Carnival
The Cigliano Carnival: a tradition reborn
In the heart of the Vercelli plains, halfway between Turin and Vercelli, the town of Cigliano (Province of Vercelli, Piedmont) experiences its most anticipated event every winter: the Cigliano Carnival. It is a deeply felt community celebration organized by the Pro Loco Ciglianese, led by Enzo Autino, which successfully brought the town's historic masks back to life after thirty-two years of silence.
The Royal Court and historic masks
The symbolic heart of the event is the Royal Court, led by the Queen and the General, the two traditional figures that had been absent from the town streets since 1992. They are accompanied by the Marquis and Marchioness, inspired by local history (in 1615, Cigliano was sold to the Villa nobles, an episode that gave rise to the figures of the Marquises), the Grand Master of Ceremonies who announces the characters from the town hall balcony, and the standard-bearers and ladies representing the various districts. Making the procession unique are the fasulere, the characteristic masks linked to the preparation of the fagiolata, the true emblem of the Cigliano Carnival.
The bean feast and local spirit
As in many carnival traditions in the Vercelli area, the star dish in Cigliano is the fagiolata: beans cooked slowly and distributed in the square become the quintessential social moment around which the entire community gathers. The festival thus weaves together folklore, local history, and popular gastronomy, with the Cigliano Marching Band leading the parade and marking the highlights of the day.
An event for the whole town
The Cigliano Carnival is not just about the big Sunday parade: the program includes evenings dedicated to footage of past carnivals, masked afternoons for children, visits by the Royal Court to local institutions, and community lunches at the SOMS premises. It is a calendar that involves all generations and, year after year, strengthens the bond between the inhabitants of this corner of Piedmont.
Cigliano Carnival — edition 2026
The 2026 Cigliano Carnival confirmed the success of the return of the historic masks. The final day, Sunday, February 22, opened with the inaugural parade of the Cigliano Marching Band, followed by the traditional fasulere, a historic symbol of the Cigliano carnival, and the procession of the Royal Court. After the parade, the Court entered the square, where the Pro Loco prepared the customary fagiolata. The festival once again united tradition, participation, and community spirit.
Programme Cigliano Carnival 2026
Friday, February 20, 2026
- Carnival opening evening (from approximately 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM)
Sunday, February 22, 2026 — final day
- Inaugural parade of the Cigliano Marching Band
- Procession of the traditional fasulere, a historic symbol of the carnival
- Parade of the Royal Court with Queen Rebecca Pasteris and General Edoardo Macario, accompanied by Marquis Alberto Bellotto, Marchioness Camilla Pino, and Grand Master of Ceremonies Umberto Rametta
- Themed masked groups (including a tennis-themed group and an "Hippy Day" with 60s and 70s costumes)
- Entry of the Royal Court into the square and fagiolata offered by the Pro Loco
- Official greetings from Pro Loco President Enzo Autino, Provincial President Davide Gilardino, and Mayor Giorgio Testore; blessing by Father Luciano Pasteris
- Convivial lunch at the SOMS premises
Highlights Cigliano Carnival 2026
Prices Cigliano Carnival 2026
Practical information — Cigliano Carnival
Where
The Carnival takes place in the historic center of Cigliano (Postal Code 13043), in the Province of Vercelli, Piedmont. The main venues involved are the town squares, the SOMS hall, the Multipurpose Hall, and the Town Council Chamber.
How to get there
Cigliano is located along the Turin-Vercelli route. By car, it can be reached via the A4 motorway (Santhià exit) and the SP45 and SP46 provincial roads. By bus, it is served by Line 345 (Cavaglià - Cigliano - Rondissone - Turin) operated by ATAP; during the event, some routes and stops may undergo temporary changes.
Information
For the updated program, you can contact the Municipality of Cigliano (tel. +39 0161 423142, [email protected]) and the Pro Loco Ciglianese, the event organizer.
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Where does it take place — Cigliano Carnival
Centro storico di Cigliano