Carnival 2026

Casale Monferrato | Recreational

21 February 2026

Description

The Casale Monferrato Carnival will return to the historic center with a lively and colorful event on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The festivities will begin at 2:00 PM in Piazza Castello, in front of the Municipal Theater, with a welcome for participants, the distribution of identification numbers to those registered for the mask competition, and the registration process for those who have not yet registered online.

At 3:00 PM, the traditional masked procession will begin, led by Gipin and Catlinin, played this year by Andrea Corino and Sara Montiglio. Participants will march, accompanied by the Occimiano Philharmonic Band and the "Le Azzurre di Occimiano" majorettes, through Via Saffi to Piazza Mazzini, where the masks and cardboard floats inspired by the historic "Galleggia non flotta" initiative by the Friends of the Po will be presented. On stage, the speakers of Radio in Fiore will be livening up the day of Carnival celebrations for the first time.

The procession will then continue along Via Roma, Via Luigi Canina, Via Mameli, and Via Cavour, before returning to Piazza Mazzini for the final awards ceremony, based on the votes of the jury. This year's edition will feature seven "Junior Jurors," selected from among the registered participants during the draw held this afternoon in the Sala Gialla of Palazzo San Giorgio.

The competing categories for the best mask contest include individuals, couples, groups, and the best "Cardboard Float." "School Class," which will offer schools the opportunity to actively participate in the event, will also include categories dedicated to the parishes and municipalities of Monferrato.

This year, too, prizes will be awarded to the best masks in each category: "Golden Passes," which will entitle the participant to a free meal including three dishes of their choice, a bottle of wine, a bottle of water, and a reserved seat at one of the tables at the next Monferrato Wine Festival; registration for the next edition of "Galleggia non Galleggia," offered by the Friends of the Po; The winners of the "School Class" and Oratory categories will receive €500 each. The winners will also receive the characteristic trophy.

During the event, in Piazza Mazzini, in addition to inflatable games and a mobile sweets and nougat stand, thanks to the collaboration with the Pro Loco (local tourist associations), hot drinks and traditional Carnival sweets will be available to participants.

The initiative is organized in collaboration with the city's trade associations of merchants, artisans, and farmers.

For information on the rules and to register online, please visit the official website of the Municipality of Casale Monferrato, at the dedicated page: https://comune.casale-monferrato.al.it/eventi/carnevale-2026/