Carnival of Ivrea

Italy · festival · food fight · history

Oranges fly everywhere. During the Carnival of Ivrea, people throw real oranges at each other in organized teams. It's the largest food fight in Italy and the surrounding regions, with thousands of people participating.

Ancient tradition. This festival has been celebrated in the Northern Italian city of Ivrea for centuries. It started as a way for people to celebrate before Lent, which is a special time in the Christian calendar.

Teams and rules. The orange battle isn't just random chaos. People are organized into different groups and teams, each with their own roles and areas, making it a structured celebration rather than pure mayhem.

Only in Ivrea. This unique festival happens specifically in the city of Ivrea in Northern Italy. No other place in the world has a food fight quite like this one.

Part of Carnival. The orange battle is the main event of the larger Carnival celebration. Carnival is a festive season that happens before Lent and includes costumes, parades, and lots of celebration.