Historic Carnival of Montalto Dora

The Historic Carnival of Montalto Dora, a village celebration for everyone

The Historic Carnival of Montalto Dora is one of the most cherished events in the winter calendar of Montalto Dora, a town in the Metropolitan City of Turin set in the Canavese region, just a few kilometers from Ivrea and at the foot of the picturesque Lake Pistono. Organized by the Montalto Carnival Committee, the event boasts a long popular tradition and serves as a moment of social connection that engages the whole village, blending joyful spirit with ancient customs.

The Napoleonic Cavalcade and the historical pageant

The core of the event is the historical pageant, which parades through the village streets accompanied by the traditional Napoleonic Cavalcade, allegorical floats, walking groups, and marching bands. The main characters are the Castellana and the General, introduced to the public from the Town Hall balcony at the start of the festivities. The event is brought to life by the Folk Group I Castellani di Montalto Dora, which accompanies the celebration with traditional music and rhythms.

Four days of festivities, parades, and gastronomy

The carnival spans four days, from Friday to Monday, with a program that weaves together folk moments, family activities, and community dinners. Recurring highlights include:

• the charity bean feast distributed in Piazza del Convento and the Baltea area;
• the afternoon dedicated to children with dancing, entertainment, snacks, and face painting;
• traditional dinners, ranging from mixed fried food to polenta and cod;
• dance evenings at the amphitheater with musical groups and DJ sets;
• the burning of the scarlo, which symbolically closes the festival on Monday evening.

A carnival in the heart of the Canavese

Part of the rich landscape of historic carnivals in the Canavese and Piedmont, the Historic Carnival of Montalto Dora maintains an authentically local dimension: no big-city numbers, but a participatory festival where masks, music, and shared tables tell the story of a community's identity. The historical pageant's visits to local kindergartens and schools testify to the strong bond between tradition and the new generations of Montalto Dora.