Quincinetto Carnival

The Quincinetto Carnival: A Canavese Tradition

Every winter, the small town of Quincinetto in the province of Turin—located at the northern edge of the Canavese region and right at the entrance to the Aosta Valley—transforms to celebrate its historic Carnival. Now in its 44th edition, it is one of the most anticipated events on the local winter calendar. For a few days, the village sheds its quiet mountain atmosphere to fill its streets with masks, music, parades, and the aromas of traditional cuisine.

The Legend of Catlinin and Napoleon

The narrative heart of the festival is the legendary love story between Catlinin and Napoleon, the two iconic masks of the Quincinetto Carnival. Tradition tells of the meeting between a beautiful local commoner, Catlinin, and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Every year, these roles are played by young local coscritti, a custom that binds the town's generations to their festival. The historical characters parade in costume and preside over the most important moments of the event, starting with the evocative appearance on the Town Hall balcony.

The 'Fagioli Grassi': The Most Awaited Ritual

Among the most heartfelt rituals of the Carnival is the distribution of the 'fagioli grassi': on Sunday, following Mass, the beans are blessed at noon and distributed to the public in the presence of the historical characters. It is a convivial moment of community identity that recalls the ancient gastronomic traditions of the Canavese region, bringing the entire village together.

Processions, Torchlight Parades, and Masked Balls

The program alternates between spectacular moments and festive occasions: the evening torchlight parade through the village streets, accompanied by the 'Pifferi e Tamburi dell'Olmetto' musicians; the masked ball with a live orchestra and prizes for the best costumes; and the parade starting from Piazzetta San Rocco with the 'Filarmonica Aurora' of Quincinetto. The festivities conclude with the unmissable traditional polenta and cod dinner at the Dante Conrero Auditorium.

A Community-Organized Village Festival

The Carnival is the result of the joint efforts of the Quincinetto Pro Loco, the Municipality, and the coscritti, who renew their commitment every year to keep a tradition deeply rooted in the town's identity alive. For those visiting the Canavese and the lower Aosta Valley in winter, the Quincinetto Carnival is the perfect opportunity to discover the authenticity of a Piedmontese folk festival far from the main tourist crowds.