Carnevale di Viareggio

The Carnevale di Viareggio

A month of carnival magic

A celebration rich in tradition with impressive papier-mâché carnival floats

In February of 1873, a group of young, wealthy people from Viareggio sat together in the casino and decided to create a parade with magnificent floats to celebrate the street carnival in their town. This decision marked the birth of the famous Carnevale di Viareggio, which since then has attracted thousands of enthusiastic visitors from all over Italy every year.

The stars of the carnival: the papier-mâché carnival floats

Without a doubt, the allegorical papier-mâché carnival floats are the focus of this festive event. They are the largest of their kind in the world and move through the streets thanks to sophisticated mechanisms. These impressive floats are accompanied by music and hundreds of masked participants.

The float caricatures depict personalities from politics, culture and show business. The Carnival of Viareggio deals satirically and ironically with the most burning issues of the day. From Craxi to Prodi, from Berlusconi to Dario Fo, Meloni and Salvini – no protagonist of Italian public life is spared the mockery of the carnival float creators of Viareggio.

A month of celebrations

The carnival floats parade through the cheering crowds along the coastal promenade on weekends and Shrove Tuesday for a month. This promenade stretches for more than three kilometers and offers a breathtaking sight between the beach and the magnificent Art Nouveau buildings.

But carnival is more than just the Sunday parades. It permeates the entire city and covers each of its neighborhoods, the so-called “Rioni”. Here, the streets come alive during nighttime festivities: Music, dancing and masquerade parades keep the streets lively until late at night. The open-air restaurants offer the typical fish dishes of Viareggio, and stages are set up on the street corners where masked music groups and DJs perform.

Even though the festival in the districts is slowly coming to an end, the revelers do not have to go home. The discos and clubs in the Versilia region compete to host the best masquerade balls with music and dancing until the early hours of the morning.

Carnevale di Viareggio 2024 – A celebration of the 151th anniversary.

In 2024, the Carnevale di Viareggio celebrates its 151st anniversary. This special year is celebrated with a series of impressive carnival parades, the so-called “Grandi Corsi Mascherati”. Here are the most important dates:

Saturday, February 3, 2024 – First masquerade procession – 4:00 p.m.

The world’s largest allegorical papier-mâché carnival floats parade along the Viareggio seafront. After the parade there will be a spectacular fireworks display.

Thursday, February 8, 2024 – Second night masquerade procession – 6:00 p.m.

The huge carnival floats parade through Viareggio’s streets again, this time at night.

Sunday, February 11, 2024 – Third masquerade procession – 3:00 p.m.

The carnival procession continues and thrills the crowds in the afternoon.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 – Fourth Night Masquerade – 5:00 p.m.

Another evening parade creates a boisterous atmosphere in the streets of Viareggio.

Sunday, February 18, 2024 – Fifth Masquerade Parade – 3:00 p.m.

The festivities reach their peak as the magnificent carnival floats once again line the seafront.

Saturday, February 24, 2024 – Sixth and final masquerade parade – 5:00 p.m.

The last parade of the season takes place, followed by the announcement of the jury results and another spectacular fireworks display.

The Carnevale di Viareggio offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Italy and admire the creative art of papier-mâché carnival floats. Celebrate with us and be enchanted by this colorful spectacle!