Historic Carnival of Lessolo
The historic Canavese carnival featuring the Abbà, the Castellana, and allegorical floats
About Lessolo Carnival
A carnival tradition in the heart of the Canavese
The Historic Carnival of Lessolo is one of the most anticipated winter events in the Canavese, the hilly, morainic region stretching north of Turin. Lessolo is a small town in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, nestled at the foot of the Serra Morenica d'Ivrea. For a few weeks each February, it transforms into the stage for a local festival deeply rooted in the area's rural and folk traditions.
This is a historic carnival in every sense, complete with its own ceremonial, official masks, and an organizing committee that refreshes the characters and floats each year. The event is more than just a parade: it is a collective ritual involving families, local associations, and the town's various districts, in perfect harmony with the great Canavese carnival tradition, most famously exemplified by the Historic Carnival of Ivrea just a few kilometers away.
The masks and protagonists
The heart of the Lessolo carnival lies in its traditional characters. Each edition features the General and the Grand Chancellor, accompanied by "mini" versions played by children, and above all, the Serenissima Castellana, whose identity is revealed during a highly anticipated ceremony from the Town Hall balcony. The Abbà, symbolic figures of Canavese tradition, are also present, along with the lively Pifferi e Tamburi di Lessolo band and majorettes, who accompany the processions with their music.
The bean feast and the float parade
One of the most characteristic moments is the fagiolata (bean feast), the distribution of traditional bean soup held on Sunday morning in Piazza La Villa, the community's main gathering point. The afternoon is dedicated to the parade of allegorical floats and masked groups, which wind through the streets of the historic center amidst confetti, music, and joy. The floats, built by local districts and groups, are the result of months of hard work and represent the town's pride.
A local carnival to experience
The Historic Carnival of Lessolo is the perfect opportunity to discover the authenticity of the Canavese region away from the major tourist circuits. It is a family-friendly, free, and deeply community-rooted festival where tradition is passed down from generation to generation. Visitors to Lessolo during these days can breathe in the genuine atmosphere of Piedmontese carnivals, defined by conviviality, local flavors, and community spirit.
Lessolo Carnival — edition 2026
Anche nel 2026 lo Storico Carnevale di Lessolo ha rispettato il suo cerimoniale tradizionale, con i festeggiamenti distribuiti nelle domeniche di febbraio e culminati nei giorni del Giovedì Grasso (12 febbraio) e del Martedì Grasso (17 febbraio). La stampa locale del Canavese ha incluso Lessolo tra i Comuni con un programma carnevalesco ufficiale, confermando lo svolgimento dell'edizione.
L'edizione è ormai conclusa: questa pagina ne conserva la memoria in attesa del programma dettagliato della prossima edizione.
Programme Lessolo Carnival 2026
Struttura della manifestazione
Il carnevale lessolese si sviluppa nell'arco di più giornate di febbraio, secondo lo schema tradizionale consolidato negli anni:
- Presentazione della Serenissima Castellana dal balcone del Municipio, con il Generale, il Gran Cancelliere e le versioni "mini" dei personaggi.
- Fagiolata — distribuzione della tradizionale zuppa di fagioli la domenica mattina in Piazza La Villa.
- Sfilata dei carri allegorici e dei gruppi mascherati nel pomeriggio, lungo le vie del centro storico.
- Accompagnamento musicale del gruppo Pifferi e Tamburi di Lessolo con le majorette.
- Animazioni, serate danzanti e momenti conviviali nei rioni.
I nomi dei protagonisti e gli orari puntuali dell'edizione 2026 sono stati pubblicati dal comitato organizzatore tramite le locandine ufficiali diffuse sui canali del Comune e sulla pagina Facebook dello Storico Carnevale di Lessolo.
Highlights Lessolo Carnival 2026
- La sfilata dei carri allegorici realizzati dai rioni
- La fagiolata in Piazza La Villa
- La presentazione della Serenissima Castellana dal balcone del Municipio
- Il gruppo Pifferi e Tamburi di Lessolo
Prices Lessolo Carnival 2026
Practical information — Lessolo Carnival
How to get there
By car: Lessolo can be reached via the A5 Turin-Aosta motorway, taking the Ivrea exit and continuing towards the Canavese (about 10 minutes from Ivrea). The drive from Turin takes approximately one hour.
By train: The nearest station is Ivrea, on the Chivasso-Aosta line, from where you can continue by bus or car to Lessolo.
When
The event takes place during the Carnival period, generally in the weeks of February. Dates vary each year according to the liturgical calendar.
Costs
Admission to the parades and events in the square is free. The bean feast and certain gastronomic initiatives may involve a voluntary donation or contribution.
Tips
Wear warm, comfortable clothing, and bring masks and confetti for the little ones. It is advisable to arrive early for the afternoon parade and park in the designated areas on the outskirts of the historic center.
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Where does it take place — Lessolo Carnival
Centro storico di Lessolo
Piazza La Villa, 10010 Lessolo