Tavagnasco Carnival

The Tavagnasco Carnival

The Tavagnasco Carnival is one of the most cherished celebrations in the small town of Tavagnasco, located in the province of Turin at the northern edge of the Canavese region, where Piedmont meets the Aosta Valley. Organized by the Tavagnasco Pro Loco in collaboration with the local council, the Carnival transforms the town's streets and squares for an entire weekend into a stage of masks, confetti, and ancient flavors, bringing together residents and visitors in an authentically local festive atmosphere.

Two days of celebration

The event spans two days, typically in March. It kicks off with a children's masquerade party, featuring a costume parade, prizes for the best outfits, face painting, and an afternoon snack—an event designed for the little ones, who have always been the true stars of the Tavagnasco Carnival. The evening is dedicated to the grand polenta and cod dinner, held by reservation in the municipal gymnasium, where the entire community gathers.

Ancient traditional flavors

The gastronomic heart of the festival takes place on Sunday, when fagioli grassi, miasse, and tripe are distributed in Piazza del Municipio. Participants are asked to bring their own containers, a custom that recalls the generosity of celebrations from the past. The distribution is followed by a community lunch, also available by reservation in the gymnasium.

The pairing of polenta and cod is no coincidence: it is a traditional Canavese and Aosta Valley dish linked to the Carnival period and Lent, with roots dating back centuries when polenta was served with cod and onions. Miasse, thin cornmeal wafers cooked between special red-hot irons, are a signature specialty of Tavagnasco, so iconic that they even lend their name to a summer food festival in the village.

A community Carnival

More than just a large parade of floats, the Tavagnasco Carnival is a grassroots celebration built by Pro Loco volunteers and deeply rooted in village life. For those visiting the Canavese area and the Ivrea region—famous for its Historic Carnival and the Battle of the Oranges—Tavagnasco offers a more intimate and familiar side of Piedmontese carnival tradition, defined by simple flavors, homemade masks, and shared tables.