Pirate Carnival

The Pirate Carnival of Belgirate

The Pirate Carnival is the festive event that brings Belgirate to life, a small town overlooking Lake Maggiore in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont. For one day, the village is painted in black and gold: the beautiful Lungolago Prini and the historic center turn into a bay of corsairs, where children and adults can don tricorn hats, eye patches, and hooks to become the protagonists of a grand pirate adventure just steps from the water.

A festival for the whole family

The event is conceived as a day of popular and convivial celebration, far from the large float parades but rich in atmosphere and community spirit. The setting of Lake Maggiore, with its waters and the mountains in the background, makes the pirate theme particularly evocative and gives the event a unique character compared to other carnivals in the region.

Program of the day

The festival unfolds over an entire day, with activities designed to involve both young and old:

• Pirate Lunch at noon, a moment of conviviality with a traditional menu featuring polenta, sausages, local cheeses, and onions.
• Pirate Games in the afternoon, tests of wit and teamwork where different "crews" compete to capture the loot.
• Delivery of the Belgirate Treasure, accompanied by a snack dedicated to the little ones.
• Bonfire of Wishes at sunset, an ancient tradition revisited with a pirate twist that closes the day with an exciting spectacle on the lakefront.

Face painting for children is provided by the Red Cross of Stresa, while those who arrive in full costume are welcomed with a small gift during lunch.

A festival made by the village

The Pirate Carnival is born from the collaboration of numerous local entities: in addition to the Pro Loco Belgirate and the Municipality of Belgirate, the organization includes the Alpini Group, the Polisportiva Belgiratese, the Società delle Regate 1858, the Amici del Sciatt, the P. Borsieri Cultural Association, the Amici della Barca, the Oratory, the Noi Arte Group, and Baretto42. It is this network of associations that makes the event an authentic village festival, capable of combining tradition, Piedmontese gastronomy, and fun on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

What to see in Belgirate

Taking advantage of the Carnival is also an excellent opportunity to discover Belgirate, one of the most charming villages on the Piedmontese shore of Lake Maggiore, with its lakefront, historic villas, and panoramas that have inspired travelers and artists. Its location, near Stresa and the Borromean Islands, makes it an ideal destination even for those visiting the area in the low season.