The historic carnival of the Piedmontese capital featuring Gianduja and Giacometta
The Turin Carnival, known in Piedmontese as Carlevè 'd Turin, is the great winter festival of the Piedmontese capital. Its undisputed stars are Gianduja and his companion Giacometta, the city's symbolic masks—kind-hearted and charming figures who embody the sly yet generous spirit of the Turinese people. Symbolically, they are presented with the keys to the city, kicking off weeks of festivities that involve the Municipality of Turin and the entire Metropolitan City.
The Carlevè 'd Turin is not just a one-day event, but a long calendar of appointments that spans the city's neighborhoods and squares. From the inaugural parade in the heart of Turin—passing through via Garibaldi, Piazza Castello, and via Roma—to the Ancient Balon Carnival in the historic antiques district, and the grand allegorical float parades along the Parco della Pellerina circuit.
A particularly evocative moment is the Eridano Carnival on the Po, a river-based re-enactment that brings masks and historic boats along the river, with Gianduja and Giacometta greeting Turinese families from the banks.
The beating heart and most beloved attraction of the event is the massive Pellerina Funfair, set up in the park along Corso Appio Claudio. For over a month, it hosts more than a hundred attractions, rides, traveling shows, and food stalls, drawing families, children, and curious visitors from across the province of Turin and the rest of Piedmont.
The Turin Carnival is a showcase of regional folklore: the parades feature masks from the main Piedmontese carnivals, masked groups, marching bands, and the famous Venetian masks, in a colorful procession that unites history, music, and joy. It is a popular, largely free festival designed for all ages, which renews the deep bond between the city and its Savoyard roots every year.
The 2026 Turin Carnival opened on Saturday, January 24, with the traditional inaugural parade, which departed at 3:00 PM from Piazza Palazzo di Città, and continued with a rich calendar until March 8, accompanied by the grand Pellerina Funfair.
From January 31 to March 8, over 100 attractions at Parco della Pellerina (Corso Appio Claudio 78).
Inaugural parade on January 24 with Gianduja and Giacometta, Ancient Balon Carnival, allegorical float parade at Pellerina, Eridano Carnival on the Po, and a funfair with over a hundred attractions.
Turin is easily accessible by train (Porta Nuova and Porta Susa stations, with high-speed connections) and by car via the main motorways. Parco della Pellerina, home to the funfair, is located at Corso Appio Claudio 78 and can be reached via GTT public transport.
Parades and costume processions are free to attend. Funfair attractions require payment according to individual operator rates.
For the major parades, it is advisable to arrive early to secure a spot along the route. Warm clothing is recommended given the winter season.
No photos yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Share your experience with the community.
Centro storico e Parco della Pellerina
Piazza Palazzo di Città, 10121 Torino