San Michele Carnival

The San Michele Carnival in Mongrando

The San Michele Carnival is one of the key events that mark the calendar of the San Michele district, in the municipality of Mongrando, in the province of Biella, nestled at the foot of the Piedmontese hills. It is organized by the Pro Loco Amici di San Michele, a local promotion association founded in 1987 that is deeply rooted in village life. Throughout the year, the association manages patronal feasts, activities for children, gatherings for seniors, social dinners, and, of course, the Carnival.

A feast around the table

More than just a parade of floats, the San Michele Carnival is a convivial celebration built around the table and traditional dishes. The heart of the event is the dinner featuring frittata and fagiolata, accompanied by an aperitif that, in editions close to March 8th, becomes a themed toast with the classic mimosa cocktail to celebrate International Women's Day.

The fagiolata is the iconic Carnival dish of the entire Biella area: a thick, flavorful soup made with beans, pork rinds, and vegetables, cooked in large pots and served hot. It is a humble yet generous recipe, meant to be shared, which tells the story of the local peasant cuisine and still brings together families and friends from the Mongrando districts today.

Tradition and community

The San Michele celebration is one that speaks primarily of local identity and a sense of community. On Via Truccobello, around the Pro Loco headquarters, people gather to spend a lovely evening together, far from large-scale events and close to the people. It represents the most authentic face of the Piedmontese Carnival, one that survives in small towns thanks to the voluntary commitment of the Pro Loco and local committees.

Mongrando and the Biellese area

Mongrando is located in the Elvo Valley, in the province of Biella, an area of Piedmont known for its pre-Alpine landscapes, sanctuaries, and gastronomic traditions. The San Michele Carnival is part of a busy calendar of festivals and feasts that enliven the area throughout the year, leading up to the great San Michele Patronal Feast at the end of September, the other major event organized by the same Pro Loco.

• Where: San Michele district, Via Truccobello 6, Mongrando (BI)
• When: During the Carnival period (late winter)
• Organizer: Pro Loco Amici di San Michele
• Specialties: frittata, fagiolata, and convivial aperitif