Trecate Carnival
The float parades of King Bartula and Queen Ghita in Trecate
About Trecate Carnival
The Trecate Carnival, a popular tradition of West Ticino
The Trecate Carnival is one of the most beloved carnival celebrations in the West Ticino area, in the province of Novara. Every year, between February and Shrove Tuesday, the streets and squares of the center of Trecate fill with color, confetti, music, and joy thanks to the grand allegorical float parades and masquerade groups. It is an authentically popular festival, built by the community for the community, where local associations come together to create spectacular floats and costumes.
King Bartula and Queen Ghita, the city's masks
The symbolic heart of the event lies in the historic masks of King Bartula and Queen Ghita, the traditional figures of the Trecate Carnival. The festival opens with the ceremony of the handing over of the city keys: the municipal administration symbolically entrusts Trecate to the King and Queen of the Carnival, who reign over the city for a few days amidst dancing, pranks, and merriment. They lead the procession of floats through the streets of the center.
The allegorical float parades
The program revolves around several allegorical float parades that wind through the center of Trecate, passing through Piazza Cavour, Via Fratelli Russi, Via Cassano, Via Gramsci, Via Novara, and Piazza Santa Maria. The floats, crafted by local groups and associations, are accompanied by masked performers, musical bands, majorettes, and plenty of entertainment. At the end of the parades, the party continues with music and entertainment in the squares, in a joyful atmosphere suitable for families and children.
The King's bonfire, the grand finale of the Carnival
The final day, Shrove Tuesday, concludes with the most evocative moment: the King's bonfire. The effigy of King Bartula is set ablaze in the Piazzale Antonini festival area, marking the symbolic end of the Carnival and the return of the city keys to the administration, along with recognition for all the groups that brought the event to life.
A free festival organized by the Pro Loco
The Trecate Carnival is organized by the Pro Loco Trecate, with the patronage and contribution of the Municipality of Trecate and the participation of local associations. Admission to all events is free: simply show up in the town center on the scheduled dates to immerse yourself in one of the most vibrant carnival traditions of Eastern Piedmont.
Trecate Carnival — edition 2026
Il Carnevale Trecatese 2026, organizzato dalla Pro Loco Trecate con il patrocinio del Comune di Trecate, si è svolto in tre giornate. Domenica 8 febbraio la festa si è aperta in Piazza Cavour con la cerimonia di consegna delle chiavi della città a Re Bartula e Regina Ghita, seguita dalla prima sfilata dei carri allegorici lungo via Fratelli Russi, via Cassano, via Gramsci, via Novara e Piazza Santa Maria. Domenica 15 febbraio la seconda sfilata è partita dal piazzale della Coop, attraversando via Ferraris, via Garibaldi e il centro cittadino. Martedì 17 febbraio, giorno di martedì grasso, la sfilata conclusiva ha raggiunto l'Area Festa di Piazzale Antonini, dove la giornata si è chiusa con il tradizionale falò del Re e il riconoscimento a tutti i gruppi partecipanti.
Programme Trecate Carnival 2026
Domenica 8 febbraio 2026 — Prima sfilata
- Ore 15:00 — Ritrovo in Piazza Cavour: consegna delle chiavi della città a Re Bartula e Regina Ghita
- Ore 15:30 — Partenza della sfilata dei carri allegorici da Piazza Cavour lungo via Fratelli Russi, via Cassano, via Gramsci, via Novara, Piazza Santa Maria e ritorno al punto di partenza, con animazione e festeggiamenti
Domenica 15 febbraio 2026 — Seconda sfilata
- Ore 15:00 — Partenza dei carri allegorici dal piazzale della Coop, percorrendo via Ferraris, via Garibaldi, Piazza Cavour, via Fratelli Russi, via Cassano, via Gramsci, via Novara, Piazza Santa Maria e ritorno in Piazza Cavour con animazione
Martedì 17 febbraio 2026 — Martedì grasso, sfilata finale
- Ore 15:00 — Partenza dal piazzale della Coop verso via Ferraris, via Garibaldi, Piazza Cavour, via Gramsci, via Cassano, via Fratelli Russi e via Romentino fino all'Area Festa di Piazzale Antonini
- Ore 16:30 — Chiusura con il falò del Re, restituzione delle chiavi della città e riconoscimento ai gruppi partecipanti
Highlights Trecate Carnival 2026
Prices Trecate Carnival 2026
Practical information — Trecate Carnival
How to get there
Trecate is located in the province of Novara, along the axis between Novara and Milan. By car, it is easily accessible from the A4 Turin-Milan motorway (Novara Est or Marcallo-Mesero exits). By train, the Trecate station is served by the Turin-Milan line. The parades take place in the historic center, around Piazza Cavour.
When
The Carnival takes place in the weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday, between February and March, with several afternoon parades (usually meeting in the early afternoon).
Costs
Participation in the parades and festivities is free.
Tips
The event is suitable for families and children. It is recommended to arrive early in the central areas to watch the departure of the floats and to check the official channels of the Municipality and the Pro Loco for updated routes and times.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Trecate Carnival
Centro storico di Trecate
Piazza Cavour, 28069 Trecate