For many villages in the Aosta valley, Carnival time is a time when almost all the population works together and gets involved in the carnival activities.

The Carnival in Courmayeur celebrates the return of Nature's fertility and includes the fascinating badoche, a traditional dance, whose roots lie in ancient rites; the Carnival Parade with floats is also an important element.

The Carnival in Nus has been, for over 60 years, an occasion, that always takes place, without exception, on the three days before Ash Wednesday. The event gets its inspiration from the story about the Barons of Nus, and relates to historicalevents from the 1300s; the “Seigneurs” come down from the Old Castle, accompanied by a torchlight procession, clarion calls, rolls on the drums, heralds and a lively, smartly-dressed entourage.

For over 90 years a Carnival celebration has been held in Villefranche, the main town in Quart, and,for a little less, the Quart-Naval, the Carnival held in the village of Villair.

The Saint-Vincent Carnival heralds the children as the undisputed masters of the village:with the ceremony of Investiture of the Little Mayor and his entourage, we see the official opening of the “Carnevale dei Piccoli” and, for 11 days, the town is “governed” by the children from the Primary School. Throughout this period, there is a special force of  “Little Policemen”, who have the right to issue fines (or ask for offers) from those who show little respect for the Highway Code; the money they make is donated entirely to charity.

In a colourful, noisy and enjoyable slalom, jaunty, carnival characters in traditional costumes race after each other along the ski-slopes at the resort of Pila: this is the “Carnevale bianco”, inspired by the brilliant white of the blankets of snow.