Where to go to see the Color & "Carri" in 2025
In Italy, as in all Catholic countries, Carnival is celebrated between January and March, in the period between Epiphany (January 6) and Easter. The more important dates for 2020 include:
February 27 - "Fat" or Shrove Thursday
March 2 - Carnival
March 4 - "Fat" or Shrove Tuesday
The word "carnival" comes from the Latin "carnem levare", a term that refers to the condition of abstinence from meat and fasting of the faithful during Lent (40 days before Easter).
The weeks of Carnival were a period of celebration with elements common to ancient traditions such as the Roman Saturnalia and the Greek Dionysian celebrations.
The Carnival is celebrated today throughout Italy with colorful parades, floats and fun events for children and adults. The Carnival of Venice is certainly one of the most famous in Italy, but in Tuscany, there are also several very popular events including the Carnival of Viareggio and the Carnival of Foiano della Chiana.
The Carnival ends (or at least it should end) with Mardi Gras (Martedì Grasso or Shrove Tuesday) and although in Italy it is not a day of festivity, on the occasion, there are events and parties everywhere, even in smaller cities.
Even if then Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, several Carnival parades continue on the Sunday after Mardi Gras.
If you're in Tuscany during this period, read below for the places you can go to celebrate Carnival every year.
PAY ATTENTION TO DATES BECAUSE SOME PLACES HAVE PARADES ON SATURDAYS, OTHERS ON SUNDAYS.
Viareggio | CARNIVALE | Feb 9 - 16 - 22 - 27 - March 2 and 4
The Carnival in Viareggio, a tiny coastal village in the Versilia area, is without a doubt one of the most famous Carnival events. It draws thousands of visitors of all ages every year. We have a full article dedicated to the floats in Viareggio here.
Carnevale in Florence | Feb 8 & 9
A real carnival parade with floats returns to Florence after many, many years of not having anything official. This year, the city in collaboration with Carnevalia, with sponsorship from the region of Tuscany, have set up two dates. The first day is actually an exclusive event, with a grand gala ball "Regine a Palazzo" in the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio and a party afterwards (tickets for from 100 to 1000€ per person) with funds being collected for charity for La Lega del Filo d'oro and YOU Foundation.
The next day, Carnival will be out in the piazza: starting at 2pm in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, with a show, and a parade starting at 3pm with over 300 artists participatiing. The piazza will have face painting, cottan candy, music and fun activities to keep everyone entertained. The parade will head toward Piazza della Signoria. You can join in with costumes and enter the contest to win prizes for the best ones - Carnival is not just for kids!! It should be a grand event, so if you're here on that Saturday, don't miss it! For tickets and more details, check out the website https://www.carnevaledifirenze.com/
On March 1st, the Carnival for Kids in Piazza Ognissanti from 2pm to 6pm, free admission. It is the one that families with small kids head to, as the piazza is well contained and all events such as circus acts and magic shows are held in the area. There should also be a fire show and a bonfire after 5.30pm. You can check out more updates on the precise program on the Facebook page for the association that is organizing the event.
For more Carnival events across the city, check out this article on Il Reporter (only in Italian) which highlights events for families and residents during the entire month.
San Gimignano (SI) | CARNEVALE | Feb 9, 16 & 23 - March 2
Folkloristic parades with floats representing various themes will be accompanied by live music, coriandoli and groups competing with handmade masks. Made to be enjoyed by one and all but especially the younger crowd will enjoy the silly antics of all who perform!
Check out the official site for more details.
Vicchio (FI) | CARNIVAL FOR KIDS | Feb 22 - March 4
From 2:30pm to 6pm, games and fun especially for the kids on the Saturdays, February 22 and March 1. Last day of Carnival on March 4 with balloons.
Borgo San Lorenzo (FI) | CARNEVALE MUGELLANO | Feb 9- 16 - 23 - March 2 & 4
Afternoon carnival events with parades, kids in costume with lots of fun events and entertainment planned for the family. The main events are around Piazza Dante, with parades on the dates above. Check out the entire schedule on the official site.
Dicomano (FI) | CARNEVALE DI DICOMANO | Feb 16 & 23 - March 2 & 4
For over 60 years, the city of Dicomano has been celebrating Carnival season with 4 days of fun events, with confetti, music, and large and colorful floats parading across the streets of the town. Kids here can jump on and have fun in complete safety. Bands and groups from all over Italy make the day fun and entertaining. Between enjoying a cencio or fritella, both fried sweets from Carnival season, and a dance and throwing paper confetti at everyone else, it will be difficult to walk away without a smile on your face having returned to the freedom of the childhood years. If you go and post photos on social media, tag them with their hashtag so that they can be shared #carnvealedicomano2025. Check out the official website for more photos and info on the Carnival in Dicomano: https://carnevaledicomanohome.wordpress.com/
Foiano della Chiana (AR) | CARNEVALE DI FOIANO | Feb 9 - 16 - 23 & March 2 & 9
One of the oldest in Italy, from 11am to 6pm
Foiano della Chiana is located south of Arezzo and it comes alive with colorful floats and costumes in February/March parades. Check out the official site for more details on the program.
Follonica (GR) | CARNEVALE | Feb 2, 9, 16 & 22
Over 100 years of celebrating
The tradition of carnival in Follonica started in 1910 and has transformed over the years creating the fun and enthusiastic atmosphere that we experience today. The 8 districts of Follonica compete with papier-machè masks and allegorical floats. Check out the official site for more details, as there are other events in March and on the weekends aside from the floats.
Piombino (LI) | CARNEVALE | Feb 9 - 28 & March 4
The character “il Cicciolo” is known as the King of Wine, and is normally represented as a jolly, drunk float making his way down the streets of Piombino. He doesn’t make it far because tradition has him burned at the stake on Martedì Grasso in Piazzale d'Alaggio (March 4). The flames serve as a signal that the fun and games are over and Lent has begun for the Easter season. Check out the event page on the Comune di Piombino website for more details.
Marlia (LU) | CARNEVAL MARLIA | Feb 9 - 16 - 23 & March 2
Papier-mâché giants in piazza and villas
The floats are ready to take back the scene and entertain the thousands of children and families who for years have participated in this historic carnival near Lucca whose origins date back to 1904 and which since 1978 takes place as we know it today. Free event. Check out the official site for more details on the program.
Bibbiena (AR) | RIEVOCAZIONE DELLA MEA | March 1, 2 & 4
Door to Door music & bonfires
The origins reach as far back as 1337, when Bibbiena was ruled by the powerful Tarlati family. So now every year, on Martedì Grasso or Shrove Tuesday, the legend tells us that the two competing factions in Bibbiena gather to vindicate a Ms. Mea - who was kidnapped by the son of the Tarlati family but with public protests was returned to her fiancè a few days later - with songs and dancing in Medieval costumes. Check out the official site for more details.
Castiglion Fibocchi (AR) | CARNEVALE DEI FIGLI DI BOCCO | Feb 16 & 23
The entire town transforms its squares, streets, and roads into a scene of fantasy where over two hundred people parade around in bright and luminous costumes hiding their faces behind masks of fantasy from the Baroque period. Check out the official site for the detailed program. Tickets can be bought on site.
LAST UPDATE: This article was last updated on February 17, 2025, to make sure we’re giving you up-to-date info. Check official site links to double check on dates and details in case of adverse weather that might make the event unlikely - the parades usually are rescheduled but sometimes are canceled altogether.
