Oratory Carnival

The Carnival at the Occhieppo Superiore Oratory

The Oratory Carnival is one of the most cherished events hosted by the Santo Stefano parish oratory in Occhieppo Superiore, a small town in the Biella area nestled at the foot of the foothills, in the Province of Biella and the Piedmont region. Organized by the Occhieppo Pastoral Unit, which brings together the communities of Occhieppo Superiore, Occhieppo Inferiore, and Galfione, the festival transforms the grounds of the oratory on Piazza Mons. Luigi Maffeo into a vibrant space of play and joy for the entire town.

A celebration designed for children and families

The afternoon kicks off with the energy of the oratory youth leaders, who guide participants through countless games, dances, and musical moments. The event engages children from preschool age through to older kids, alongside parents and community volunteers: an opportunity for intergenerational connection where dressing up becomes the central theme of the day.

The pasta feast, the big quiz, and the costume contest

The convivial heart of the festival is the massive community pasta feast, enriched by dishes brought by families and shared together. The evening continues with the Super Carnival Quiz, a team game that puts both adults and children to the test, followed by the awards ceremony for the best costumes—a competition that inspires children and families to put their best effort into their creations every year.

Biellese masks as guests in Occhieppo

Among the festival's guests are Pettirosso and Capinera, the official masks of Occhieppo Inferiore, who bring a touch of tradition and link the oratory celebration to the carnival folklore of the Biella territory. Their presence serves as a reminder of how deeply rooted the Carnival remains in the popular culture of Piedmont, even in its simplest, community-based form.