Cortemilia Carnival
Edition 2026 Street arts Folk traditions Folklore

Cortemilia Carnival

The Carnival celebration in the Hazelnut capital of the Bormida Valley

Cortemilia — Cuneo (004)
Dates 14 Feb โ€” 15 Feb 2026
Location Cortemilia (004)
Prices Free
Status Finished

About Cortemilia Carnival

The Cortemilia Carnival brings the Bormida Valley village in the province of Cuneo to life with a masked parade that kicks off in Piazza Savona and winds through the town streets. Amidst floats, costumes, and plenty of cheer, local volunteers hand out bugie, hot chocolate, and mulled wine, while the day concludes with a show designed for families. A simple, genuine popular festival that serves as the heart of February in Cortemilia.

The Cortemilia Carnival

In the heart of the Bormida Valley, in Cortemilia, located in the province of Cuneo and lower Piedmont, the Carnival is one of the most anticipated winter festivals. Known as the capital of the Hazelnut, the village transforms for an afternoon into a grand festive space, where masks, colors, and joy invade the squares and streets of the historic center, spanning both banks of the Bormida river.

The Masked Parade

The highlight is the parade, which gathers in Piazza Savona. From here, the carnival procession sets off through the town, featuring children and families in costume, games, and the carefree atmosphere typical of this tradition. It is a deeply participatory festival, brought to life by the volunteer work of local associations.

Traditional Flavors

Throughout the afternoon, there is no shortage of treats: volunteers distribute bugie, the typical fried carnival pastries, along with hot chocolate and mulled wine to warm up both young and old. It is these small gestures that make the Cortemilia Carnival a convivial event where the entire community gathers.

Entertainment for All Ages

The festive day is enriched by a cultural event specifically dedicated to families, hosted in the evocative Church of San Francesco. The performance combines music and theater, designed to introduce audiences of all ages to the language of classical music in a playful and accessible way.

Between Celebration and Culture

In Cortemilia, the Carnival intertwines with the local cultural life: the evening show is part of the 'Teatro nelle Valli Bormida' season, which brings music and theater to the valley's villages during the winter months. It is a way to combine the popular fun of the parade with high-quality cultural offerings, capable of engaging even the youngest and highlighting historic sites like the Church of San Francesco.

A Village Carnival

Far from the grand historical carnivals, the one in Cortemilia preserves the authentic flavor of a Piedmontese village festival: simple, welcoming, and family-friendly. An opportunity to discover this corner of the province of Cuneo, nestled between the hills of the Langhe and Alta Langa, for a day of pure fun dedicated to the entire community.

Cortemilia Carnival โ€” edition 2026

The 2026 edition of the Cortemilia Carnival, originally scheduled for Saturday, February 14, was postponed to Sunday, February 15 due to bad weather, with the program remaining unchanged. The day combined the masked parade in Piazza Savona and, in the evening, the show 'The Carnival of the Animals' in the Church of San Francesco.

The 2026 Cortemilia Carnival took place on Sunday, February 15, following the postponement from Saturday due to poor weather. In the afternoon, the traditional masked parade set off from Piazza Savona through the town streets, with local volunteer associations distributing bugie, hot chocolate, and mulled wine.

The day concluded with the show 'The Carnival of the Animals', a musical and theatrical event hosted in the Church of San Francesco, included in the 'Teatro nelle Valli Bormida 2025/2026' season.

Programme Cortemilia Carnival 2026

Sunday, February 15, 2026 (postponed from the 14th due to bad weather)

  • 14:30 โ€” Meeting point in Piazza Savona and departure of the masked parade through the town streets
  • Afternoon โ€” Distribution of bugie, hot chocolate, and mulled wine by volunteer associations
  • 17:00 โ€” Church of San Francesco (Corso Einaudi 12): musical and theatrical show 'The Carnival of the Animals', inspired by Camille Saint-Saรซns' composition, featuring six musicians from the G. F. Ghedini Conservatory of Cuneo and a narrator, in collaboration with Dispari Teatro

Highlights Cortemilia Carnival 2026

The masked parade from Piazza Savona and the show 'The Carnival of the Animals' inspired by Saint-Saรซns, featuring six musicians from the G. F. Ghedini Conservatory of Cuneo and Dispari Teatro.

Prices Cortemilia Carnival 2026

Carnival parade with free admission. 'The Carnival of the Animals' show: 5 euro ticket, reservations and online purchase on mailticket.it (tel. +39 389 0576711).

Practical information — Cortemilia Carnival

Where

Cortemilia (CN), Piedmont. Meeting point and parade departure in Piazza Savona; the show is held in the Church of San Francesco, Corso Einaudi 12.

When

During the Carnival period in February. The afternoon is dedicated to the parade, while the musical and theatrical show takes place in the late afternoon.

How to get there

Cortemilia can be reached by car along the provincial roads of the Bormida Valley; the village is about an hour from Alba and Acqui Terme.

Information

Cortemilia Tourist Office: +39 0173 81027.

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Where does it take place โ€” Cortemilia Carnival

Piazza Savona

Piazza Savona, 12074 Cortemilia

Contact Cortemilia Carnival

Tel
+39 0173 81027

Cortemilia Carnival in brief

Street arts Folk traditions Folklore Family Children Playful Outdoor Free Cuneo

History of Cortemilia Carnival