Ivrea Carnival The Orange Fights 2027

Ivrea Carnival The Orange Fights

The Historic Carnival of Ivrea in Piedmont, northern Italy, is home to the Battle of the Oranges, the biggest food fight in Italy. Rooted in a medieval legend of a miller’s daughter who defied a tyrant and in the city’s Napoleonic-era carnival traditions, it re-enacts the people’s revolt against tyranny, with thousands of citizens pelting each other with fresh oranges in the squares of Ivrea.

Held every year in the weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday, the carnival turns the old town into a stage of costumed processions, drums and fanfares, with the orange fights held in the main squares of the historic center.

Orange Fight Highlights:

• The Battle of the Oranges: Teams of “aranceri” on foot defend their squares against the “tyrant’s” troops riding in horse-drawn throwing carts, in a ritual fight that colors the whole center orange.
• The Mugnaia and the Historic Parade: A costumed procession of the miller’s daughter, generals, pages and standard-bearers brings the legend of the rebellion to life.
• The Throwing Carts: Aranceri riding in the carts wear leather helmets and throw at full strength at the unprotected teams on foot, who return fire from the ground.
• Beans and Bonfires: The carnival opens with the traditional Fagiolata, a free bean-and-pork feast, and closes with a torchlit evening procession through the city.

Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:

• Watching Safely: Spectators can watch from the protected stands and fenced zones in the squares. Anyone who wants to join a team of aranceri on foot needs to join an official team and wear their colors.
• Safety: Anyone in the fighting zone without team colors is a target for oranges, and a red cap marks those who have chosen to stay out of the fight. Thrown oranges hurt, so choose your viewing spot carefully.
• Getting There: Ivrea is about 50 km north of Turin and is reached by regional train from Turin Porta Susa or by car along the A5 motorway. Turin Airport is the nearest major airport.
• What to Wear: Dress warmly, since it is winter in northern Italy. Old clothes, waterproof shoes and goggles are the sensible choice if you are near the fight, because the juice is sticky and the pavements are slippery.
• Accommodation: Ivrea is a small town and room supply there is limited during carnival, with many visitors staying in Turin or nearby towns, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
• Explore Ivrea: Beyond the carnival, Ivrea offers a UNESCO-listed 20th-century industrial city, a walking tour through the old town and the legend of the Battle of the Oranges, and food and wine tours in the Canavese area — browse top Ivrea tours and activities here.

The full carnival program and the schedule of the orange fights are published by the organizers of the Storico Carnevale di Ivrea. See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.