Domodossola Carnival
The historic carnival of Domodossola featuring Togn and Cia
About Domodossola Carnival
The historic carnival of the Val d'Ossola
The Domodossola Carnival is one of the most beloved popular festivals in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola region and the premier winter event in Domodossola, a charming town at the foot of the Piedmontese Alps. Its origins date back to 1870, when the community first staged the legend of two young lovers. Since then, the festival has guided the people of Ossola toward spring every year, transforming the squares and streets of the historic center into a grand open-air stage.
Togn and Cia, the iconic masks
At the heart of the Domodossola Carnival are Togn and Cia (diminutives of Antonio and Lucia), a young betrothed couple from a local love story set in the Ossola of the past. Each year, two local residents step into their roles: the mayor symbolically hands them the keys to the city, kicking off the festivities. They are joined by the Corte di Mattarella and other traditional figures like the Arlori and the Zecra, who bring parades and scenes to life throughout the festival.
Pulenta e sciriuii, the taste of tradition
No Domodossola Carnival is complete without pulenta e sciriuii, the local specialty of polenta and sausages prepared on-site by the "pulentatt" and served in Piazza Mercato. This gastronomic tradition has been rooted in the community for over a century, managed by the Associazione Comitato Pulenta e Sciriuii, which organizes the entire event. The festival has always maintained strong ties with neighboring Italian and Swiss carnivals, featuring performances by international musical groups and reciprocal visits between the valleys.
A festival for the whole community
For about two weeks, Domodossola lives to the rhythm of the carnival: allegorical float parades, masked balls, and events dedicated to local schools and associations, leading up to the grand finale: the wedding of Togn and Cia. It is an event that celebrates the identity of the Val d'Ossola and attracts families and visitors from across the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province and nearby Switzerland every year.
Domodossola Carnival — edition 2026
Il Carnevale Domese 2026 ha animato Domodossola dal 6 al 21 febbraio con un programma ampliato rispetto agli anni precedenti. La coppia simbolo Togn e Cia è stata interpretata da Alberto Comana e Cecilia Brillante, accompagnati dalla Corte di Mattarella. L'edizione ha visto nuove collaborazioni con i carnevali di Cannobio e Montecrestese e la partecipazione di gruppi musicali svizzeri.
Programme Domodossola Carnival 2026
Sabato 7 febbraio — Apertura
- 12:00 — Arrivo dei gruppi svizzeri in Piazza Matteotti
- 16:30 — Sfilata da Piazza Matteotti a Piazza Rovereto con consegna delle chiavi della città a Togn e Cia
- 19:30 — Carnival Party
Domenica 8 febbraio
- 12:30 — Visite ai carnevali locali
- 18:00 — Messa in Collegiata
Dal 9 al 13 febbraio
- Visite nelle scuole cittadine
- Giovedì 12 — 14:30: partecipazione al Carnevale di Brig-Glis (Svizzera)
Venerdì 13 febbraio
- 14:00 — Festa ANFFAS
- 16:30 — "Pulenta e Scivuluii" con ballo in maschera
- 19:00 — Festa dei comitati
Sabato 14 febbraio
- 14:30 — Visita all'Ossola Outdoor Center e al Carnevale Vigezzino
Domenica 15 febbraio — Pulenta e Sciriuii
- 10:30 — Sfilata della Corte di Mattarella
- 11:00 — Distribuzione di polenta e salamini in Piazza Mercato
- 14:30 — Grande sfilata cittadina di carri allegorici e maschere
- A seguire — Matrimonio di Togn e Cia
Lunedì 16 febbraio
- 19:00 — "Cena di Carnevale" in Oratorio
Martedì 17 febbraio
- 14:30 — Carnevale del Badulerio con premiazioni
Sabato 21 febbraio
- 11:00 — Carnevale Cannobiese
- 19:00 — Carnevale di Montecrestese
Highlights Domodossola Carnival 2026
Prices Domodossola Carnival 2026
Practical information — Domodossola Carnival
Location
The Domodossola Carnival takes place in the historic center of Domodossola (VB), in Piedmont. The main events are concentrated in Piazza Matteotti, Piazza Mercato, and the streets of the Borgo della Cultura.
How to get there
Domodossola is easily accessible by train: the station is an international hub on the Simplon line (connections with Milan, Novara, and Switzerland via the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway). By car, take the A26 Gravellona Toce motorway followed by the SS33 del Sempione.
Admission
Most events in the squares are free to attend. Some specific appointments (dinners, indoor parties) may require an entry fee.
Contacts
Associazione Comitato Pulenta e Sciriuii — [email protected] — official website: carnevaledomodossola.it
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Where does it take place — Domodossola Carnival
Centro storico di Domodossola
Piazza Mercato, 28845 Domodossola