Giaveno Carnival

A carnival tradition spanning over seventy years

The Giaveno Carnival is one of the most cherished events in the festive calendar of Giaveno, a town in the Sangone Valley within the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Piedmont. Reaching its 74th edition in 2026, the Carnival has roots dating back to the early 1950s and has long served as a powerful symbol of identity for the entire Giaveno community, drawing large crowds to the streets and squares of the historic center every year.

The symbolic masks: the Bergé and the Bergera

At the heart of the festivities is the Famija dij Bergé, the family of traditional masks that embodies the spirit of the Giaveno Carnival. The Bergé and the Bergera—figures inspired by the shepherds and the rural culture of the valley—lead the event, accompanied by bridesmaids, pages, and the Carnival Mayor. In the weeks leading up to the festival, these masks visit schools, nursing homes, and other carnivals across the Piedmont region, strengthening the bond between tradition and the younger generations.

The grand parade of allegorical floats

The highlight of the event is the parade of allegorical floats, which travels through the center of Giaveno starting in the early afternoon. Floats from all over Piedmont, masked groups, majorettes, flag-wavers, and the marching band join the procession, turning the town's streets into an open-air stage. To ensure safety, the Municipality implements traffic changes every year with the cooperation of the Local Police, Carabinieri, and Civil Protection.

Flavors and highlights of the festival

The Carnival is also a gastronomic occasion: the star is the Gran Polentone, served with stew, accompanied by Giaveno cheese, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and various street food offerings. Among the most evocative moments is the burning of the "Titun", the ritual that symbolically closes the festivities in a crowded square.

A festival for the whole community

Organized by the Pro Loco Giaveno.TO APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Giaveno and the Piedmont Region, the Giaveno Carnival is the result of the hard work of numerous volunteers. More than just a costume event, it is a popular festival that preserves the memory of its founders—honored by the traditional stop of the procession at the Fire Station—and continues to renew the sense of belonging among the people of Giaveno, edition after edition.