Cossato Carnival

The Cossato Carnival

The Cossato Carnival is one of the most cherished traditions in the winter calendar of the town of Cossato, located in the province of Biella, in the heart of Upper Piedmont. For a few days, the town center transforms into an open-air stage where folk traditions, Piedmontese masks, and festive cheer engage families, children, and visitors from neighboring towns. The event is organized with the support of the Pro Loco and local associations, in collaboration with nearby Occhieppo.

The masks: the Cossatera and the Cossatè

The symbolic heart of the festival lies in the official masks of the Cossatera and the Cossatè, who represent the community throughout the Carnival days. Their investiture is one of the most anticipated moments: the characters from the previous edition join the Order of the Pumpkin Flower, while the new protagonists parade accompanied by historic Piedmontese delegations and local masked groups in a striking torchlight procession.

The program

The festival kicks off with the Piedmontese Mask Review hosted at the Living Garden: an evening that blends conviviality, live music, and entertainment, featuring a buffet aperitif, free entry for the after-party, and traditional pasta served at midnight. During the main days, the streets of the town host the evening parade of illuminated allegorical floats, joined by floats from neighboring municipalities, while the symbolic finale features the burning of the Cossa, followed by dancing and celebrations.

• Piedmontese Mask Review at the Living Garden with buffet aperitif, music, and shows
• Investiture of the Cossatera and the Cossatè with torchlight parade and historic delegations
• Parade of illuminated allegorical floats through the town center
• Burning of the Cossa to close the festivities
• Parlamento Bean Feast, the grand final public lunch

The Parlamento Bean Feast

The grand finale of the Cossato Carnival is the bean feast held at the sports center in the village of Parlamento. It is a beloved gastronomic event: the distribution attracts huge crowds every year, serving up hundreds of salamis and quintals of beans, following the best Piedmontese peasant tradition. It is the perfect occasion to wrap up the festival in good company, centered around a simple, iconic dish of the Biella territory.

A Carnival of the Biella territory

Among the Carnival events in Piedmont, the one in Cossato stands out for its deep bond with the community and the traditions of Upper Piedmont. Visiting Cossato during Carnival means experiencing an authentic festival, far from the major tourist circuits, where local masks, rustic cuisine, and the enthusiasm of the volunteers remain the true protagonists.