Fagiolata Bean Festival

A gastronomic tradition of the Biella area

The Fagiolata is one of the most cherished events in the winter calendar of the Vaglio hamlet, in the municipality of Pettinengo, in the province of Biella, in the heart of the Piedmontese foothills. Organized by the Pro Loco Vaglio Pettinengo, the festival brings to the table its namesake dish: fagioli grassi, slow-cooked and served piping hot in the depths of winter, following a recipe passed down through generations in the Biella lands.

What is the Fagiolata?

The fagiolata is a popular festival found in many towns across the Biellese and Canavese areas, often linked to the Carnival period and the coldest months of the year. It is a moment of collective gathering where the community unites around a simple, substantial meal designed to warm the body and strengthen bonds between neighbors. In Vaglio, the event takes place at the Pro Loco headquarters, in a familiar and welcoming atmosphere that is the true hallmark of Piedmontese village festivals.

The role of the Pro Loco

The Pro Loco Vaglio Pettinengo, affiliated with Unpli Piemonte, is the heart of the hamlet's social life. The Fagiolata traditionally opens the association's annual calendar of activities, which continues with the summer Patronal Feast, the historic Chestnut Festival in autumn, and the Bagnacauda dinner in late November. Each event is managed by volunteers and helps keep the identity of this corner of the Biella region alive.

Why it is worth visiting

• A traditional peasant dish served in its authentic context
• The warm hospitality of a small mountain community
• A taste of the Biellese food and wine culture off the beaten tourist path
• An opportunity to experience the most genuine side of Piedmont in mid-winter

The Vaglio Fagiolata is proof of how even the smallest hamlets know how to preserve and share their gastronomic and human heritage.