The traditional carnival of Samone, featuring masks, allegorical floats, and the ancient 'I Piantan la Rava' ritual.
The Samone Carnival is the most anticipated winter event in Samone, a small town in the Canavese area of the Province of Turin, in the heart of Piedmont. For three days, the streets of the historic center come alive with masks, music, and tradition in a festival that involves the entire community and attracts visitors from neighboring towns. The event is organized by the Pro Loco Samone APS with the patronage of the Municipality and represents one of the most cherished moments in the local calendar.
The heart of the carnival is the grand parade of masks and allegorical floats that winds through the town, accompanied by the sounds of local marching bands. Groups animating the procession include the Filarmonica di Colletta e Parella and the Pifferi e Tamburi, typical of the Canavese carnival tradition. Evenings are filled with festivities, including masquerade balls and ballroom orchestras that keep the squares dancing until late.
Beyond the spectacular parades, the Samone Carnival preserves rituals rooted in the rural culture of the Canavese. Highlights include the distribution of 'fagioli grassi', a traditional dish prepared and offered to the public, and the ceremony of 'I Piantan la Rava', a propitiatory ritual linked to the cycle of the seasons and the town's identity. These collective gestures give the carnival its authentic character, far removed from events created solely for tourism.
The program is designed to engage every generation: children's parties with entertainment and games are complemented by evening torchlight processions, afternoon parades, and convivial gatherings, culminating in a final dinner featuring traditional dishes like polenta. It is a celebration that strengthens the bond between residents and passes on a sense of belonging to Samone to the younger generations.
Nestled among the morainic hills of the Canavese, a short distance from Ivrea, Samone offers visitors the chance to discover an authentic corner of Piedmont, away from major tourist flows. The carnival is the perfect opportunity to experience the hospitality of this community and savor the flavors and traditions of a territory with a strong identity.
The 2026 Samone Carnival was spread over three days. Saturday, March 7th, the afternoon was dedicated to the children's party, with entertainment and games, while the evening featured a torchlight procession and a masquerade ball with an orchestra. Sunday, March 8th, after the morning distribution of 'fagioli grassi' and the 'I Piantan la Rava' ceremony, the afternoon saw the grand parade of masks and allegorical floats, accompanied by the Filarmonica di Colletta e Parella and the Pifferi e Tamburi; the evening concluded with dancing. Monday, March 9th, the festival closed with the traditional convivial dinner featuring typical dishes.
The event was organized by the Pro Loco Samone APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Samone, in the Province of Turin.
Samone is located in the Canavese area, in the Province of Turin, a few kilometers from Ivrea. By car, it can be reached via the A5 Turin-Aosta motorway (Ivrea exit), then following local roads. By train, the reference station is Ivrea, on the Turin-Aosta line, from where you can continue by bus or car.
The Samone Carnival takes place during the carnival season, generally over a long weekend between February and March. For the 2026 edition, the confirmed dates were March 7th to 9th.
The organization is managed by the Pro Loco Samone APS ([email protected]), with the patronage of the Municipality of Samone. It is recommended to check the updated program on the official channels of the Pro Loco and the Municipality before attending.
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Centro storico di Samone