Carnival 2026: where to see the most beautiful float parades in Italy

In Italy Carnival goes beyond the concept of a simple anniversary to transform itself into a sort of collective ritual that returns punctually like debts, between confetti in coats and streamers caught in street lamps. From Shrove Thursday until the Tuesday preceding Lent, streets and squares become real open-air stages where historical masks, allegorical floats, musical bands and shows that have their roots in Italian tradition parade. Cities, villages and hamlets in every part of the country have their own way of celebrating Carnival, with centuries-old stories and an enthusiasm capable of infecting children, grandparents and passing tourists.

There are those who wait all year to wear an unlikely costume, those who would never give up fried desserts and those who, more simply, love to be carried away by the collective energy. And you, have you already decided how to dress up? Meanwhile, we have chosen ten Carnival celebrations that are worth the trip: from north to south, an itinerary through spectacular traditions and atmospheres that still know how to amaze.

Venice

Our journey to discover the most beautiful and evocative carnivals in Italy can only start from the Serenissima, with the Venice Carnival. The event, scheduled from January 31st to February 17th, this year celebrates the Olympics with a theme that intertwines history, art and sport (we talked about it in this article, where you will also find the link to the complete program of the event).

“Olympus. At the origins of the game” refers to the Venice of past centuries, where the Carnival was a great stage for competitions, acrobatic shows and tests of collective skill.

Ivrea

Ivrea is one of the oldest and most spectacular carnivals in Italy, included since 1956 among the Italian events of international importance.

The culmination, like every year, will come with the famous Battle of the Oranges with teams on foot representing the insurgents and chariots symbolically embodying the forces of power: an experience to follow around the city from 15 to 17 February.

Viareggio

As many as 100 thousand people attended the inaugural parade of the Viareggio Carnival on February 1st. The masked courses will be held on Thursday 12 February, Sunday 15, Tuesday 17 and Saturday 21.

The true protagonists of the parades have always been the great allegorical works, the papier-mâché giants – better known as first category floats – conceived and created by the “carriers” who battle to win the final prize.

Hundred

The “One Hundred Carnival of Europe” event returns to the stage on five Sundays between February and March, in the province of Ferrara, the only one twinned with Rio de Janeiro: music, live shows and, above all, the large papier-mâché floats of Fantasti100, Risveglio, Mazalora, Ragazzi del Guercino and Toponi that parade along the course.

Ivano Manservisi has been signing the event for 35 years and the guests of the 2026 edition are Jack La Furia and Rose Villain.

Fano

We move to Fano, in the Marche region, to attend a historic Carnival, considered one of the oldest popular events in Europe.

This year the Fano Carnival presents itself as a great collective story inspired by cinema, imagination and the expressive power of papier-mâché, with the artistic direction of Dante Ferretti, three-time Oscar winner and master of international film scenography.

Ronciglione

We arrive in Ronciglione, in the Viterbo area, for the sixth stage of our journey across Italy to discover its most evocative carnivals.

The village of the Cimini mountains, known as the town of Carnival, has for centuries hosted the most popular masked event in Tuscia, heir to the public joys that took place in Rome between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The event begins on Shrove Thursday with the spectacular parade of the hussars.

Putignano

Edition number 632 for the Carnival of Putignano, in Puglia, which has scheduled parades, traditional rites and music until February 17th.

Starting last January 17th, it is considered the longest Carnival in Italy and one of the oldest cultural events in Europe. The theme of the 2026 edition is “Paradox” and the great protagonist of this edition is the Teatro Comunale which returns to being a real dance floor, as in the 1950s.

Sciacca

We arrive in Sicily to attend the 400th anniversary of the Sciacca Carnival, in the province of Agrigento. The parades of allegorical floats and masked groups will take place on 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 February.

The symbolic mask is Peppe Nappa, a lazy and greedy servant: since the mid-20th century he has been the protagonist of the festival, symbolically receiving the keys to the city and taking part in the parades before the final fire that closes the celebrations.

Oristano

For the last two stages of our tour of the most beautiful carnivals in Italy we arrive in Sardinia. In Oristano, on the last Sunday and last Tuesday of Carnival – for 2026, 15 and 17 February – one of the oldest and most spectacular equestrian races in the Mediterranean takes place: Sa Sartiglia, the historic carousel of medieval origins.

The protagonists will be the masked knights led by Componidori, engaged in the race for the star and in the spectacular parilles along the streets of the historic centre.

Mamoiada

From 24 January to 21 February the town of Mamoiada, in the province of Nuoro, returns to live its historic Carnival, one of the most identifying events on the island, among fires, masks and archaic rites. At the center of the festival are the Mamuthones and the Issohadores, protagonists of ritual exits and parades through the historic center.

The key moments are scheduled for Sunday 15th, Monday 16th and Shrove Tuesday 17th February, with events that will enliven the historic center of the town.

Happy Carnival!