Sizzano Carnival

A century-old Carnival in the Novara region

The Sizzano Carnival is one of the most deeply rooted popular festivals in the Province of Novara, Piedmont. Its origins date back to 1925: in 2025, the event celebrated its hundredth anniversary, a milestone that testifies to how much this tradition is part of the identity of the small town of Sizzano. The spirit of the event is preserved by the Pro Loco Sizzano, active since 1974, which carries on the legacy of the associations that preceded it.

The Carlin, the town's symbolic mask

At the heart of the festival is the Carlin, the traditional mask of Sizzano, accompanied by the figure of the Maria. The Carlin is much more than a costumed character: during the day, he delivers a speech in dialect addressed to his fellow citizens and local authorities, commenting with irony and wit on the town's life over the past year. At the end of the festivities, according to an ancient ritual, the Carlin is symbolically burned in the traditional bonfire, a gesture that closes the Carnival and welcomes the arrival of the new season.

Tripe, bean soup, and a masked parade

The festival is also a highly anticipated gastronomic event. Starting at noon, the traditional distribution of tripe takes place (also available for takeaway), a dish that attracts numerous enthusiasts every year. In the afternoon, the masked parade begins, meeting at the station and crossing the town to reach Piazza Prone, the hub of the event. There is also entertainment for children and the fagiolata (bean soup), offered to warm the heart on cold February days.

A local tradition to experience

Sizzano, nestled among the vineyards of the Novara region and known for its DOC wine, transforms for a day into the stage for a festival that unites entire generations. The Sizzano Carnival is the ideal opportunity to discover the authenticity of a Piedmontese village tradition, made of allegorical parades, genuine flavors, and that pinch of satire that has accompanied the Carlin's speech for a century.