Villata Carnival
Floats and masquerade parades in the heart of the Vercelli area
About Villata Carnival
The Villata Carnival
In the heart of the Vercelli rice-growing plains, the small town of Villata (province of Vercelli, Piedmont) experiences one of its most lively weeks every February: the Carnival. Organized by the Villata Carnival Committee, the event transforms the streets and squares of the historic center into a stage of color, confetti, and joy, attracting visitors from surrounding towns as well.
Traditional Masks
The heart and soul of the festival are the town's official masks: the Fasola and the Bela Vilatin-a, the symbolic figures of the Villata Carnival, accompanied by their retinue of ladies-in-waiting. They lead the processions and represent Villata during courtesy visits to other carnivals in the Vercelli area, engaging in the traditional exchange of masks typical of this part of Piedmont.
Allegorical Floats and Costumed Groups
The true spectacle lies in the allegorical float parades, crafted with passion in the preceding months by local groups. Each float chooses a scenic theme that ironically reinterprets characters from pop culture, cinema, and current events. Alongside the floats, costumed walking groups animate the procession with choreography and disguises. It is a collective effort spanning months that is deeply rooted in the town's identity: the construction of the floats, the attention to detail, and the choice of themes are the result of the voluntary commitment of many Villata families.
A Community Celebration
The Villata Carnival is more than just a parade: it is a moment of gathering that weaves together tradition, conviviality, and solidarity. Local associations actively participate in preparing the floats and organizing social events, from the bean feast to masquerade balls. It is a living example of how, even in the small towns of the Vercelli province, Carnival remains a deeply identity-driven celebration, capable of uniting different generations around the same masks and traditions.
Villata Carnival — edition 2026
The 2026 Villata Carnival featured a program spread across three main events between February 13 and 17, organized by the Villata Carnival Committee.
The Program
- Friday, February 13 — Night-time parade of allegorical floats and masks
- Sunday, February 15 — Grand daytime parade of allegorical floats and costumed groups, with a social event (dinner/bean feast) and masquerade ball
- Tuesday, February 17 (Shrove Tuesday) — Afternoon parade starting at 3:00 PM
Masks and Floats
Leading the festivities were Fasola Stefano D'Achille and Bela Vilatin-a Laura Lorenzetti, with ladies-in-waiting Lucrezia Rigolone, Alessia Valanzio, Veronica Cesari, and Aurora Cesari, and junior ladies-in-waiting Vanessa and Anita D'Achille. Featured floats and groups included: Fularmà ("Beagle Boys" theme), Avis/Aido/Admo ("Flintstones" theme), I Marugiun (Western theme), I Perda Pe ("NASCAR" theme), and the ZigoZago Kindergarten walking group ("The Smurfs" theme).
Programme Villata Carnival 2026
Friday, February 13, 2026
- Night-time parade of allegorical floats and masks through the streets of Villata
Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Parade of allegorical floats and costumed groups
- Social event: dinner / bean feast
- Evening masquerade ball
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (Shrove Tuesday)
- 3:00 PM — Afternoon parade of allegorical floats and masks
Official Masks
- Fasola: Stefano D'Achille
- Bela Vilatin-a: Laura Lorenzetti
- Ladies-in-waiting: Lucrezia Rigolone, Alessia Valanzio, Veronica Cesari, Aurora Cesari
- Junior ladies-in-waiting: Vanessa and Anita D'Achille
Floats and Groups
- Fularmà — "Beagle Boys" theme
- Avis/Aido/Admo — "Flintstones" theme
- I Marugiun — Western theme
- I Perda Pe — "NASCAR" theme
- Asilo ZigoZago — walking group, "The Smurfs" theme
Highlights Villata Carnival 2026
Prices Villata Carnival 2026
Practical information — Villata Carnival
How to get there
Villata is located in the Lower Vercelli area, in the province of Vercelli (Piedmont). By car, it is easily accessible from the A4 Turin-Milan motorway (Vercelli Est or Greggio exits) and local provincial roads. The primary railway station is Vercelli, from which you can continue by car or local connections.
When
The Carnival takes place during the carnival season, between mid and late February. The main parades are held in the afternoon (usually starting at 3:00 PM) and, on some evenings, in a night-time version.
Tips
Admission to the parades is free. It is recommended to check updated dates and times with the Municipality of Villata or the Carnival Committee, as the program may be subject to change based on weather conditions.
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Where does it take place — Villata Carnival
Centro storico di Villata