Masquerade Ball and Grand Polenta Feast

A village festival in the heart of the Canavese

The Masquerade Ball and Grand Polenta Feast is one of the most cherished events in Ciconio, a small municipality of just under four hundred residents nestled on the ridge separating the Orco and Malesina valleys, in the heart of the Canavese and the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Piedmont. Organized by the Ciconio Pro Loco, the event is a classic example of a popular village festival: spontaneous, welcoming, and capable of gathering both locals and visitors from neighboring towns around the same tables.

Two days of masks and tradition

The event takes place over a weekend and revolves around two distinct yet complementary moments. Saturday evening is dedicated to the masquerade ball, a night of fun and music, while Sunday lunch features the Grand Polenta Feast, a convivial meal celebrating one of the most beloved dishes of Piedmontese peasant cuisine.

The charm of Canavese festivals

In a land rich in historical carnivals and folk traditions, Pro Loco festivals represent the living fabric of small towns. In Ciconio, a village boasting a thousand-year history—a document from 1019 attests to its transfer to the Abbey of Fruttuaria—the festival takes place in a symbolic location for the community: the courtyard of the Civic Library, equipped with a marquee to welcome guests in any weather.

Good food and conviviality

The strength of the event remains its convivial dimension: sitting down at the table, eating well, and enjoying each other's company. Saturday evening offers an informal and youthful menu, while on Sunday, the absolute star is polenta, served according to local tradition. Reservations are required for Sunday lunch, a sign of the careful, community-focused organization that characterizes Pro Loco events.

Why attend

• An authentic Canavese village festival, far from mass tourism.
• A masquerade ball with a prize for the best costume.
• The Grand Polenta Feast, a symbolic dish of Piedmontese country cooking.
• The chance to discover Ciconio, a thousand-year-old village in the Metropolitan City of Turin.