Ivrea Festival: Italy’s Epic Battle of the Oranges
Once upon a time—local lore states that it was actually around the 12th century—there was a small village in Northern Italy called Ivrea where a tyrannical ruler thought that he could mistreat women as he pleased. When the tyrannical ruler decided to have his way with the miller’s daughter Violetta, she fought back valiantly and severed the tyrant’s head. Violetta triumphantly displayed her gory trophy from a balcony to a cheering group of villagers.
In honor of Violetta’s unforgettable stand against tyranny, the townspeople of Ivrea pay tribute to her memory every year during the Carnival of Ivrea. Many countries around the world observe carnival season—which starts with the celebration of Epiphany on January 6th and concludes with a day of solemn prayer on Lent.
Photo by depositphotos.com
In lieu of pelting sticks and stones, the residents of Ivrea wear colorful costumes and divide into royal and peasant teams and throw oranges at each other to pay homage to the town’s historical turmoil in a playful manner. The aranceri—as the common people are known—lob oranges at nobles on floats. The Battle of the Oranges generally lasts three days and concludes on the final day of carnival which is known as Fat Tuesday.
Visitors can participate in the Battle of the Oranges by registering to join either the common people or the nobles. If you want to observe the festivities from a safe distance, you can purchase a red cap—which signals that you support the aranceri. You can also watch the oranges fly from behind a wire net.
Photo by depositphotos.com
The Carnival of Ivrea features a spirited procession, drum music, and plenty of delicious treats, such as fagioli grassi—a rich bean and pork rind soup that is traditionally served during carnival season. Don’t be surprised if you see brave Violetta perched atop a float. If the chill of winter is still in the air, locally produced mulled wine or a toasty cup of schnapps tea is the ideal way to warm up. The Carnival of Ivrea even hosts a fireworks display.
Photo by depositphotos.com
If you take off your red cap and venture out from behind the wire net, you may sustain a few bruises during the Battles of the Oranges. But, the grand finale of the Carnival of Ivrea is a joyful citrus-infused spectacle that is worth sustaining a few goose eggs for. Every country in the world that celebrates carnival does it a little differently, and Ivrea’s rebellious Battle of the Oranges is certainly worth experiencing.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Piazza Pietro Ottinetti, Ivrea, Italy (one of the Orange Battle areas)
- Coordinates
- 45.4674, 7.87838
- Access
- The carnival takes place in public areas of Ivrea’s historic center. Pedestrian-only zones, traffic interruptions and controlled-access areas are set during the event. Follow the current safety plan; wear the required Phrygian cap and stay clear of the battle area if you do not intend to participate.
- Admission
- Ivrea’s historic-center streets are generally public, but the official tourism board lists a paid city-entry ticket for Carnival Sunday, 7 February 2027; it does not yet state the price on that page. The board lists exemptions for children under 12, Ivrea residents, disabled visitors, registered Aranceri, and historical-parade participants. Check the official event/ticket page before travelling.
- Time needed
- The Orange Battle is held over three days, Sunday through Shrove Tuesday. For a single-day visit, the 2027 program schedules the main procession and battle from 14:00 on Sunday and Monday; Tuesday’s battle starts at 14:00 and ceremonies continue into the evening. Allow an afternoon for one battle day; following the full festival takes several days.
- Best season
- The Historic Carnival is an annual winter event; exact dates and daily program vary. Consult the official calendar before travel.
- Opening hours
- This is an annual event, not a venue with year-round hours. The 2027 Carnival program runs 6 January–10 February, with the main festival 4–9 February and the Orange Battle 7–9 February. On battle days, the program lists afternoon starts from 14:00; Tuesday events continue into the evening. Confirm the live program before travel.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-29
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-30
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