Vignole Borbera Carnival

A local Carnival in Val Borbera

The Vignole Borbera Carnival is one of the most cherished winter events in this small town in the lower Val Borbera, located in the south-eastern corner of Piedmont bordering Liguria. It is not a grand historical carnival with monumental floats, but a genuine village celebration filled with DIY costumes, children's laughter, and the warmth typical of Apennine communities gathering to celebrate together.

Pentolaccia and the costume parade

The heart of the day takes place in the afternoon at the Edificio Polifunzionale on Via Roma, in the town's festival area, where community events are concentrated. The program alternates between two classic moments of the Piedmontese Carnival:

• the pentolaccia, our local version of the piñata, a beloved game where children take turns hitting a clay pot until it breaks, releasing sweets and surprises;
• the costume parade, featuring a competition for the most original and well-crafted outfits.

In recent years, the organizers have raised the stakes of the competition: the top three costumes are awarded prestigious prizes, a sign of how much the community values this tradition and aims to engage both young and old.

A festival that unites the valley

Vignole Borbera is part of a mosaic of small towns in the Val Borbera that, during the Carnival season, bring the entire valley to life with parades, floats, and costume parties. While neighboring towns organize processions with floats and music, Vignole focuses on the costume competition and a family-friendly atmosphere: a choice that makes the event ideal for those traveling with children or seeking an authentic Carnival experience, far from the crowds of larger events.

Tradition and territory

The Carnival is part of the local popular traditions calendar, preserved by local associations and the Pro Loco. Participating also means discovering the Val Borbera, a valley still largely untouched by mass tourism, with its villages, trails, and narrow gorges carved by the Borbera stream. A day trip that combines celebration, nature, and the culture of the Piedmontese Apennines, just a few kilometers from the Vignole-Arquata exit on the A7 Milan-Genoa motorway.