Historic Carnival of San Giorgio Canavese
The historic carnival of San Giorgio Canavese featuring masks, traditional bean stew, and the burning of the Babacio
About San Giorgio Carnival
A tradition of the Canavese
The Historic Carnival of San Giorgio Canavese is the grand festival of San Giorgio Canavese, a town in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Piedmont. Reaching its 52nd edition in 2026, it is an event deeply rooted in the local community that transforms the historic town center into a stage of colors, masks, and ancient customs every year. Organized by the AT Pro Loco of San Giorgio Canavese with the patronage of the Municipality, the carnival unites generations through a rich calendar of events for all ages.
The masks: the Castellana and the General
The symbolic heart of the festival lies in the official masks of the Castellana and the General, historic figures who embody the spirit of the San Giorgio Carnival. Officially presented in the square at the opening of the event, they parade accompanied by their entourage and the notes of the Carlo Botta Philharmonic, enlivening the town's streets for days and visiting schools, the nursery, and the retirement home, in a gesture that ties the festival to the daily life of the village.
The Fagioli Grassi and the burning of the Babacio
Among the most anticipated rituals is the distribution of the Fagioli Grassi, the bean stew that draws citizens and visitors to Piazza Ippolito in San Giorgio and the hamlet of Cortereggio every year: a traditional dish that serves as a tribute to conviviality and community. The most spectacular moment, however, is the burning of the Babacio, the puppet that represents the face of the carnival and which, set ablaze in the square, marks the end of the event amidst fire, music, and celebration.
Parades, galas, and social evenings
The program alternates between popular moments and elegant evenings. The walking parades through the center involve historical groups and guest masks, with flag-wavers and drum troupes marking the procession. There is no shortage of carnival dinners in local restaurants and the masquerade gala evening with aperitifs and live music. The Children's Carnival, featuring the burning of the Mini Babacio, provides a special space for the little ones.
Experiencing the San Giorgio Carnival
Visiting the Historic Carnival of San Giorgio Canavese means discovering an authentic corner of the Canavese, nestled among the hills and castles that frame San Giorgio Canavese. The atmosphere is that of traditional Piedmontese village festivals: genuine, participatory, and deeply connected to its roots. An ideal opportunity for those who want to discover the popular traditions of the Turin area away from the major tourist circuits.
San Giorgio Carnival — edition 2026
The 52nd Historic Carnival of San Giorgio Canavese took place from February 7 to 17, 2026, organized by the AT Pro Loco with the patronage of the Municipality.
The opening, on Saturday, February 7 in Piazza Ippolito, featured the official presentation of the Castellana and the General and the Babacio ceremony. In the following days, the masks visited the nursery, schools, and the retirement home, while the Carnival Fat Dinner was held on Thursday, February 12. On Friday, February 13, the walking parade through the center involved historical groups, the Flag-wavers of Cherasco, and the Drums of the Tournament of May; Saturday, February 14, featured the masquerade gala evening with aperitifs and live music. On Sunday, February 15, the distribution of Fagioli Grassi took place in Piazza Ippolito and the hamlet of Cortereggio, Monday, February 16, hosted the Children's Carnival with the burning of the Mini Babacio, and Tuesday, February 17, saw the burning of the Babacio to conclude the event.
Programme San Giorgio Carnival 2026
- Saturday, February 7 — Presentation of the Castellana and the General and Babacio ceremony in Piazza Ippolito.
- Thursday, February 12 — Masks visit the nursery and retirement home; evening Carnival Fat Dinner.
- Friday, February 13 — School visits and walking parade through the center with historical groups, Flag-wavers of Cherasco, and Drums of the Tournament of May.
- Saturday, February 14 — Masquerade gala evening with aperitifs and live music.
- Sunday, February 15 — Distribution of Fagioli Grassi (11 AM in Piazza Ippolito, 12 PM in the hamlet of Cortereggio); dinner in honor of the historical characters.
- Monday, February 16 — Children's Carnival with the burning of the Mini Babacio.
- Tuesday, February 17 — Burning of the Babacio and grand finale.
Highlights San Giorgio Carnival 2026
- Presentation of the Castellana and General masks
- Walking parade with historical groups, flag-wavers, and drums
- Distribution of the traditional Fagioli Grassi
- Masquerade gala evening with live music
- Burning of the Babacio to close the festival
Prices San Giorgio Carnival 2026
Practical information — San Giorgio Carnival
How to get there
San Giorgio Canavese is located in the Canavese area, about 40 km north of Turin. By car, it can be reached via the A5 Turin-Aosta motorway (Scarmagno-San Giorgio or Ivrea exit) or the SP56. By train, the reference station is Rivarolo Canavese on the Turin-Pont Canavese line, with a connecting bus service.
When
The carnival takes place in February, spanning about ten days with events distributed across evenings, weekends, and Shrove Tuesday.
Tickets
Parades, the distribution of Fagioli Grassi, and the burning of the Babacio are free to attend. Reservations are generally required for dinners and the masquerade gala; it is recommended to contact the Pro Loco or the Municipality for costs and availability.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — San Giorgio Carnival
Centro storico di San Giorgio Canavese
Piazza Ippolito di San Giorgio, 10090 San Giorgio Canavese