Ortisei Carnival / Juebia Grassa

The Carnival in Ortisei, in the heart of Val Gardena

Every year, Fat Thursday — called Juebia Grassa in the Ladin language — transforms the center of Ortisei/St. Ulrich, in the province of Bolzano (Trentino-Alto Adige), into a joyful open-air stage. It is the highlight of the Val Gardena Carnival: an ancient tradition still celebrated with great enthusiasm by the local community.

The masked parade along Via Rezia

The core of the day is the masked parade that travels through the pedestrian zone of Via Rezia. The procession starts near Hotel Madonna and crosses the entire pedestrian center to the Parish Square, where a jury rewards the most beautiful, original, and elaborate masks. Costume groups, allegorical figures, children, and families bring the village streets to life in a festive and carefree atmosphere.

The masks of the Dolomites

What makes the Carnival in the Dolomites special is the presence of allegorical figures wearing simple costumes, often featuring noisy cowbells and painted or grotesque faces. These masks recall ancient farming customs and processions originally intended to ward off the cold, hunger, and the spirits of winter. Together with the famous traditional Val Gardena costumes, among the most beautiful in the entire Alpine region, they create an authentic spectacle rooted in Ladin culture.

Ladin traditions and Fat Thursday customs

The Val Gardena Carnival preserves unique customs. Among these is the fun theft of the barley soup (in Ladin Rube la panicia): while neighboring villages serve barley soup and krapfen, the cook must keep a close eye on her pot as local children try to steal it. A playful ritual deeply rooted in the mountain farming culture.

Beyond the parade: Carnival on the snow

The Carnival in Ortisei does not end with the Fat Thursday parade. In the following days, the festivities continue on the slopes: the famous Ski Carnival takes place on the Palmer & Furdenan slope, where skiers and ski instructors compete in costume in a spectacular setting, with the Dolomite peaks as a backdrop. An original, purely Val Gardena way to experience Carnival in the kingdom of snow.