Pievarazo Carnival

The Pievarazo Carnival in Pieve Tesino

The Pievarazo Carnival is the local festival of the Municipality of Pieve Tesino, a village on the Tesino plateau in Valsugana, in the province of Trento, within the Trentino-Alto Adige region. Every year, on a Sunday in February, the town center transforms into a vibrant open-air stage where masks, confetti, and streamers fill the streets and the Piazza del Mercato. It is one of those authentic village festivals, organized by the Pievarazo Carnival Committee with the help of volunteers, where the entire community gathers to celebrate together.

A festival for the whole community

The heart of the event is the square, which is bustling from the morning. The festivities kick off around 10:30 AM, and the day unfolds with food, music, and games. The food stall is one of the most anticipated highlights, serving steaming plates of pasta, crostoli (typical Trentino carnival fritters), mulled wine, and other drinks, with options designed for children as well. In case of bad weather, the festival continues in the local multi-purpose center's gymnasium.

Masks, raffles, and entertainment

The afternoon is dedicated to costumed fun. There is plenty of face painting, musical entertainment, and the unmissable best costume contest, which rewards the creativity of the participants. The highlight of the day is the raffle draw (the traditional carnival lottery), with numerous prizes offered by local businesses and supporters. Amidst confetti and surprises for the children, the festival maintains the genuine spirit of mountain village fairs.

The setting: Tesino and Valsugana

Pieve Tesino sits on a sunny plateau at the foot of the Lagorai mountain range, in an area known for the tradition of the 'perteganti' (itinerant printers) and the alpine landscapes of eastern Valsugana. The Pievarazo Carnival is an expression of this mountain community: a festival that, despite its small-town scale, preserves the value of sharing and Trentino folk traditions. For tourist information, you can contact the APT Valsugana Lagorai (Castello Tesino office).