Montecrestese Carnival
Shows, masquerade balls, and festivities in the heart of the Ossola Valley
About Montecrestese Carnival
The Montecrestese Carnival, an Alpine tradition in the Ossola Valley
Every winter, the Montecrestese Carnival transforms this village in the Ossola Valley, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola (Piedmont), into a small kingdom of masks, music, and fun. Organized by the Pro Loco Montecrestese together with the municipality and local associations, it is one of the community's most cherished events: an occasion where the entire village, from families to children, gathers to celebrate with joy.
Shows and masquerade balls
The heart of the festival is the Cultural Recreational Center of Montecrestese, which hosts the carnival evenings. The program revolves around three essential ingredients: shows, masquerade balls, and festivities. These evenings are designed for socializing, dancing in costume, and experiencing the lighthearted spirit of Carnival in the warm, family-friendly atmosphere typical of small towns in the upper valley.
A Carnival that reaches beyond the village borders
The carnival tradition of Montecrestese does not end within the village walls. The Pro Loco Montecrestese carnival group participates in the parades of local Carnivals, forging bonds with neighboring communities: in 2026, the group took part in the celebrations of the Domodossola Carnival and other events in the Ossola Valley and Lake Maggiore, in collaboration with towns like Cannobio and the Vigezzo Valley. It is a sign of a network of popular festivals that, during the Carnival season, connects the entire Ossola territory.
Why experience the Carnival in Montecrestese
Far from the large tourist-heavy Carnivals, the one in Montecrestese offers the authentic experience of an Alpine village festival: no anonymous crowds, just a community coming together to offer evenings of music and masks. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a lesser-known corner of Piedmont, combining the festival with a walk through the village districts and the scenic spots of the lower Ossola Valley.
- Festival organized by the Pro Loco, the municipality, and Montecrestese associations
- Shows and masquerade balls at the Cultural Recreational Center
- Popular Alpine tradition of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province
- Carnival group present in Ossola Valley parades
Montecrestese Carnival — edition 2026
Carnevale di Montecrestese 2026
Il Carnevale 2026 di Montecrestese si è tenuto il 20 e 21 febbraio, con appuntamenti serali a partire dalle ore 21:00 al Centro Culturale Ricreativo. Le due serate, all'insegna di spettacoli e balli in maschera, hanno animato il paese della bassa Ossola nel periodo clou del Carnevale.
Una novità dell'edizione 2026 è stata la collaborazione, nata proprio quest'anno, tra il gruppo Carnevale della Pro Loco Montecrestese e i Carnevali del territorio: il gruppo ha sfilato al Carnevale Domese di Domodossola e ha preso parte agli appuntamenti dell'Ossola e del Lago Maggiore insieme alle comunità di Cannobio e della Valle Vigezzo.
L'evento è stato organizzato dalla Pro Loco Montecrestese in collaborazione con il Comune e le associazioni locali. Il dettaglio completo del programma delle serate è stato diffuso sui canali ufficiali della Pro Loco.
Programme Montecrestese Carnival 2026
Le due serate del Carnevale di Montecrestese 2026 si sono tenute al Centro Culturale Ricreativo a partire dalle ore 21:00, con spettacoli e balli in maschera.
- Venerdì 20 febbraio — Serata di Carnevale dalle 21:00: spettacoli e balli in maschera.
- Sabato 21 febbraio — Serata di Carnevale dalle 21:00: spettacoli, balli in maschera e allegria.
Nei giorni del Carnevale il gruppo carnevalesco della Pro Loco Montecrestese ha inoltre partecipato alle sfilate dei Carnevali vicini (Carnevale Domese a Domodossola, Cannobio, Valle Vigezzo). Il programma di dettaglio delle singole serate è stato pubblicato sui canali ufficiali della Pro Loco.
Highlights Montecrestese Carnival 2026
Prices Montecrestese Carnival 2026
Practical information — Montecrestese Carnival
How to get there
Montecrestese is located in the lower Ossola Valley, just a few kilometers from Domodossola. By car, it can be reached via the A26 motorway (Gravellona Toce exit), continuing along the SS33 Simplon road to Domodossola and then towards Montecrestese. By train, the reference station is Domodossola, on the Milan-Brig line, from where you can continue by local bus or car.
Where it takes place
The Carnival evenings are held at the Cultural Recreational Center of Montecrestese (Frazione Chiesa).
Information and contacts
Pro Loco Montecrestese, Frazione Chiesa 1, 28864 Montecrestese (VB). Phone +39 340 1404438, email [email protected]. Updates on dates and the program are available on the Pro Loco's Facebook and Instagram channels.
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 — Montecrestese Carnival
Centro Culturale Ricreativo
Frazione Chiesa 1, 28864 Montecrestese