The most beautiful Carnivals in Sicily
Discover the traditions, customs, food and wine tastings and other scheduled events.
Carnival in Sicily is characterized by numerous events that are always very engaging for visitors, which numerous Sicilian municipalities organize. An opportunity to visit suggestive places, to discover ancient customs and taste traditional Sicilian dishes.
How is Carnival celebrated in Sicily?
In addition to events, demonstrations and parades, in many countries, parties are organized in clubs or even in private rooms during which people dance, laugh and joke until late at night. On festive days, especially Fat Thursday and Carnival Sunday, it is customary to eat macaroni with five holes seasoned with pork ragù.
Carnival in Sicily
- › Agrigento area
Sciacca, Porto Empedocle, Ravanusa - › Catania and Etna area
Acireale, Adrano, Bronte, Misterbianco - › Cefalù and Madonie Villages
Castelbuono, Castellana Sicula, Collesano, Pollina - › Central Sicily area
Agira, Aidone, Centuripe, Gagliano Castelferrato, Grammichele, Mazzarino, Milena, Ramacca, Regalbuto, San Cono - › Islands
Lipari, Salina - › Messina area
Acquedolci, Brolo, Capo D'Orlando, Gioiosa Marea, Novara di Sicilia, Piraino, S. Filippo del Mela, S. Lucia del Mela, Saponara, Terme Vigliatore - › Palermo area
Balestrate, Casteldaccia, Cinisi, Corleone, Mezzojuso, Montelepre, Piana degli Albanesi, Termini Imerese - › Ragusa area
Chiaramonte Gulfi, Scicli - › Selinunte and Belice Valley
Montevago, Salemi> - › Siracusa area
Avola, Melilli, Palazzolo Acreide - › Taormina area
Antillo, Francavilla, Taormina - › Trapani area
Paceco, Petrosino, Valderice
Agrigento area
Carnival in Sciacca
The Carnival in Sciacca is one of the most popular and well-known Carnivals in Sicily. Parades of imposing allegorical papier-mâché floats, masked groups, music, satirical scripts, a rich program of concerts, cultural and food and wine events.
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Carnival in Porto Empedocle
Carnival in Porto Empedocle includes several days of celebration with parades of allegorical floats, masked groups, performances by dance schools,
costume parades with school children, shows and lots of fun.
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Carnival in Ravanusa
The Carnival in Ravanusa is included in the list of historical carnivals in Italy and includes traditional parades of allegorical carts and masked groups, festivals dedicated to the dishes and desserts typical of the carnival tradition in Sicily, entertainment for the little ones, shows, entertainment, live music.
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Catania and Etna area
Carnival in Acireale
The Carnival in Acireale is the most beautiful Carnival in Sicily and is considered among the most beautiful carnivals in Italy. The Parades of Allegorical Floats are spectacular, performing big movements and extraordinary transformations.
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Carnival in Adrano
The Carnival in Adrano: group dancing, costumed children's festival, Pasta with the five purtusi, a typical dish of the Sicilian Carnival tradition.
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Carnival in Bronte
The Carnival in Bronte is a very ancient festival rich in tradition: joy, desire to have fun, many beautiful costumes and hundreds of masks that enliven the parades of masked groups.
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Carnival in Misterbianco
The Carnival in Misterbianco boasts the most beautiful costumes in Sicily.
The parade of masked groups of Misterbianco features real protagonists tailoring works of art, the creation of which requires months of work, meticulous research and imagination.
Some of the most beautiful costumes are still jealously guarded today and can be admired at the Carnival Museum.
› Misterbianco Carnival
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Cefalù and Madonie Villages
Carnival in Castelbuono
The Carnival in Castelbuono livens up the festive days with a rich program of events: the historical balls during which local satire groups perform, the parade of allegorical floats, shows and live music, games and entertainment for children.
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Carnival in Castellana Sicula
The Carnival in Castellana Sicula is considered the most beautiful Carnival of the Madonie. Dances, balls and parades of allegorical floats and masked groups attract thousands of visitors every year.
› carnival in Castellana Sicula
Carnival in Collesano
The historic carnival of Collesano is a great event full of tradition and fun: many carnival-themed ballrooms are set up where people dance until late at night.
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Carnival in Pollina
The Carnival in Pollina includes a rich program of events with parades of masked groups, recreational moments for children, costume parties, shows and the traditional nunno parade with reading of the will and tasting of "cavatuna" with sausage in the square.
› carnival in Pollina
You may also be interested in others events in Cefalù area or in what to see in the surroundings of Cefalù and villages of Madonie
Central Sicily Area
Carnival in Agira
The protagonists of the Agira carnival are the masked groups who perform in cheerful and colorful parades to compete for the prizes for the best mask, the best float, the best make-up, the best costume and the social prizes.
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Carnival in Aidone
The Carnival in Aidone is the longest carnival in Sicily because it is celebrated until the Saturday following Shrove Tuesday. According to an ancient tradition, carnival parties are organized in various halls of the town where people dance at rhythm of scotz, a very ancient traditional dance.
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Carnival in Centuripe
The Carnival in Centuripe stands out for the originality of the costumes and masks that parade through the streets of the city center every year.
Parades of masked groups, entertainment for children, dancing evenings, shows and much more are organised.
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Carnival in Gagliano Castelferrato
The Carnival in Gagliano Castelferrato is a big party full of events and demonstrations, with parades of masked groups, tastings of dishes and desserts typical of the carnival tradition, competitions for the most beautiful masks, entertainment, dancing evenings and much more.
› carnival Gagliano Castelferrato
Carnival in Grammichele
The Carnival in Grammichele offers a rich program of events: parades by masked groups, performances by street artists, dancing in the square, live shows, entertainment for the little ones and the big final party that closes the Carnival celebrations.
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Carnival in Mazzarino
The Carnival in Mazzarino it is also known as the Maktorion Carnaval. Parades of allegorical floats and masked groups, tastings of typical products, dancing and music in the square enliven the streets of the city center every year.
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Carnival in Milena
The Carnival in Milena is a big party with allegorical carts parading around a cheerful setting of costumes and masks, shows, performances, music and dancing in the square, tastings of typical local products, entertainment and games for the little ones.
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Carnival in Ramacca
The Carnival in Ramacca it is an event rich in tradition. Every year it provides a full program of events with parades of masked groups, dancing in the square, shows and live music, games and entertainment for the little ones.
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Carnival in Regalbuto
The Carnival in Regalbuto is famous for the parades of masked groups where almost a thousand paraders fill the main street and is considered among the most important carnival events in Sicily. The most characteristic moment is that of the contradanze. The quadrille dance is very particular.
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Carnival in San Cono
The Carnival in San Cono is known for the Carrivalata di San Cono a traveling theatrical performance during which men on horseback recite texts in dialect verses which narrate allegories about the professions, customs and customs of the peasant world.
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Isole
Carnival in Lipari
The Carnival in Lipari known as Aeolian Carnival, it is a historic Carnival dating back to the seventies which still today involves the inhabitants and visitors of the island, with parades of allegorical floats and masked groups, shows, live music, games and entertainment for the little ones.
› more info Aeolian Carnival
Carnival in Salina
The Carnival in Salina is rich in traditions, joy and good food. During the celebrations, curious competitions are usually organized in which the participating teams, all strictly in masks, compete in a series of fun competitions.
The festival ends on Shrove Tuesday with a large sausage and a theatrical representation of the death of King Carnival.
› more info Carnival in Salina
Messina area
Carnival in Acquedolci
The Carnival in Acquedolci boasts a great tradition in papier-mâché processing techniques and every year it attracts thousands of visitors thanks to the parades of allegorical papier-mâché floats and masked groups.
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Carnival in Brolo
The Carnival in Brolo is a celebration deeply felt by the people of Brolo: allegorical floats and masked groups parade through the streets of the village where the stand for tasting typical products.
On Shrove Thursday the traditional "maccarunata", i.e. the eating of macaroni, usually takes place.
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Carnival in Capo D'Orlando
The Carnival in Capo D'Orlando is a festival full of events and fun: parades of masked groups, musical and entertainment shows, entertainment and games for children, tastings of typical local products, performances by street artists and dancing evenings in the square.
› info Carnival in Capo D'Orlando 2025
Carnival of Murgo in Gioiosa Marea
The Carnival in Gioiosa Marea has its roots in the tradition of the Argentine carnival, in fact the Murga is staged, a super colorful procession led by Murgo in his traditional dress and his band.
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Carnival in Novara di Sicilia
The Carnival in Novara di Sicilia is known for the Sagra del Maiorchino which is held every year in the period of Carnival.
› carnival in Novara di Sicilia
Carnival in Piraino
The Carnival in Piraino begins on Thursday evening with the fat evening, dancing, music shows and entertainment, and ends on Shrove Tuesday with the Murgo and Bear Parade at Gioiosa Marea.
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Carnival in Cattafi - San Filippo del Mela
The Carnival in Cattafi, ancient farmhouse today a hamlet of
San Filippo del Mela, is among the oldest carnivals in Sicily and every year attracts numerous spectators attracted by the originality of its mask,
u Scacciuni, with long conical hats, colorful dresses with kilts, and a myriad of colored ribbons.
› carnival in Cattafi
Carnival in Santa Lucia del Mela
The Carnival in Santa Lucia del Mela is an event rich in folklore and tradition. In addition to the traditional parades of allegorical carts, masked groups and tastings of typical recipes, of particular interest are the parades of festively adorned Sicilian motoapes,and the
re-enactment of the cataletto, a carnival ritual with very ancient origins.
› carnival in Santa Lucia del Mela
Carnival in Saponara
The Carnival in Saponara is famous for
Pantomime of the bear and the Princely court which recalls an event that actually happened in the eighteenth century when Prince Alliata managed to capture a bear that had caused massacres in the village and to celebrate the event he paraded the bear in chains through the city streets.
› carnival in Saponara
Carnival in Terme Vigliatore
The Carnival in Terme Vigliatore includes a rich program of events: the traditional parade of allegorical floats, the masked parade, the theater workshop, games and fun for everyone with various local dance schools.
The Termense Carnival usually also offers tastings of typical products and cooking competitions.
› carnival in Terme Vigliatore
You may also be interested in others events in Messina and Nebrodi area or in what to see in the surroundings of Messina and villages of Nebrodi
Palermo area
Carnival in Balestrate
The Carnival in Balestrate is known for the traditional
Ballo dei Pastori
also known as Masked Counterdance. The most beautiful feature of the Balestrate Carnival is that the spectator is the protagonist: you can take inspiration from a cart, from the chosen themes, dress up and join the procession without registering.
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Carnival in Casteldaccia
The Carnival in Casteldaccia
includes a full program of events with parades of allegorical carts and masked groups, with games and entertainment for the little ones, with shows and live music, with festivals and tastings of typical specialties of the carnival in Sicily.
› carnival in Casteldaccia
Carnival in Cinisi
The Carnival in Cinisi animates the streets of the village with parades of papier-mâché floats, masked groups and sketches led by Lu Nannu (the grandfather), the typical mask of the place. On Carnival Monday, the traditional historical cavalcade of Cinisi usually takes place.
› carnival in Cinisi
Carnival in Corleone
The Carnival in Corleone is famous for its
traditional mask "u Riavulicchiu". The Corleone Carnival ends on Shrove Tuesday with the masked ball in the square and with the reading of the will of the nannu (nice little grandfather), who is finally burned to indicate the end of the Carnival.
› carnival in Corleone
Carnival in Mezzojuso
The Carnival in Mezzojuso
is famous for the popular pantomime of Mastro Campo, re-enactment of the assault that the Count of Modica made on the Castle to conquer Queen Bianca of Navarre a unique folklore page of its kind throughout the national territory.
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Carnival in Montelepre
The Carnival in Montelepre
it is famous for U matrimoniu, the most original carnival parade in Sicily. A grotesque wedding party with a rich wedding banquet where typical local products abound, dances and fun parades.
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Carnival in Piana degli Albanesi
The Carnival in Piana degli Albanesi, takes place according to an ancient popular tradition which, since ancient times, desecrates the values classics of patriarchal Sicily, and makes the woman the protagonist of this party with the right to choose, mock and invite men to the dance.
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Carnival in Termini Imerese
The Carnival in Termini Imerese is one of the oldest carnivals in Italy and among the most beautiful in Sicily. It offers a calendar full of events with parades of allegorical floats and masked groups, musical and entertainment shows. The traditional masks of Nannu and Nanna are very particular, witnesses of its ancient origins.
› carnival in Termini Imerese
Carnival in Trabia
The Trabia carnival, despite being the youngest Sicilian carnival, already boasts great popularity and has its traditional masks.
› carnival in Trabia
You may also be interested in others events in Palermo area or in what to see in the surroundings of Palermo
Ragusa area
Carnival in Chiaramonte Gulfi
The Carnival in Chiaramonte Gulfi has ancient origins: parades of allegorical floats, masked balls but above all the traditional sausage festival. Chiaramonte Gulfi is considered the capital of the Iblei Carnival.
› carnival in Chiaramonte Gulfi
Carnival in Scicli
The Carnival in Scicli it is also known as >U Carnaluvari ra Stratanova, with reference to Corso Umberto I (new road) where it takes place
the traditional parade and where street artists, musicians, masked groups parade and where food stands are also set up.
› carnival in Scicli
You may also be interested in others events in Ragusa area or in what to see in the surroundings of Ragusa
Selinunte and Belice Valley
Carnival in Bisacquino
The Carnival in Bisacquino
is the oldest Carnival in Sicily. Its origins date back to at least the end of the seventeenth century as evidenced by traditional masks such as U zuppiddu, a peasant figure with an egg in one hand and a cricket in the other, and the Domino, women dressed in a dark tunic and a mask.
› carnival in Bisacquino
Carnival in Mazara del Vallo
The Carnival in Mazara del Vallo includes a rich program of events with the parade of allegorical floats, music, shows, dances and live music.
› carnival Mazara del Vallo
Carnival in Montevago
The Carnival in Montevago.
› carnival in Montevago
Carnival in Salemi
The Carnival in Salemi is famous for the traditional mask of The Gardeners of Salemi, men in nineteenth-century velvet clothes in the Burgisi style holding a pantograph tool through which they offer various sweets and sweets to the public.
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You may also be interested in others events in Belìce area or in what to see in the surroundings of Selinunte
Siracusa area
Carnival in Avola
The Carnival in Avola in addition to the traditional parades of allegorical floats led by the Carnival King, is characterized by the traditional event of the dialect literary competition. On Shrove Tuesday the carnival ends with a majestic burning of the puppet of the Carnival King.
› carnival in Avola
Carnival in Melilli
The Carnival in Melilli stands out for the imagination, creativity and beauty of its allegorical floats and masked groups. There are many events, musical and entertainment shows organized during the celebrations.
› carnival in Melilli
Carnival in Palazzolo Acreide
The Carnival in Palazzolo Acreide it is characterized by typical Syracusan masks. Great participation in the traditional Festival of Cavati with pork sauce, and at tastings of Palazzolese sausage and other typical local products.
› carnival in Palazzolo Acreide
You may also be interested in others events in Siracusa area or in what to see in the surroundings of Siracusa
Taormina area
Carnival in Antillo
The Carnival in Antillo is famous for its traditional mask of u picuraru (the sheep), which recalls rural life. The masks of u picuraru and the free cowbell ringers parade through the streets of the town, scaring and involving visitors.
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Carnival in Francavilla di Sicilia
The Carnival in Francavilla di Sicilia is the most beautiful Carnival in the Alcantara Valley and is probably one of the oldest of all eastern Sicily as it has been taking place for more than a century. It is a party that is characterized for its dancing balls and above all for its irony and transgressiveness and the evident erotic meaning of its symbols.
› carnival in Francavilla di Sicilia
Carnival in Graniti
The Carnival in Graniti includes a rich calendar of events with tastings of carnival delights, the children's carnival, dancing evenings and the parade of allegorical carts.
› carnival in Graniti
Carnival in Taormina
The Carnival in Taormina is an event in which the colors of the masks and masked groups mix with the evocative scenery of historic center of Taormina. Numerous events are organized during the celebrations: musical and entertainment shows, exhibition and tasting stands.
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You may also be interested in others events in Taormina area or in what to see in the surroundings of Taormina
Trapani area
Carnival in Paceco
The Carnival in Paceco also known as "Carnevalata di Paceco", involves the setting up of stands of typical products and local crafts. The festival comes to life on Carnival Sunday with the parades of traveling masks and allegorical carts.
› carnival in Paceco
Carnival in Petrosino
Carnival in Petrosino.
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Carnival in Valderice
The Carnival in Valderice every year it attracts numerous visitors to attend shows, dances and the traditional allegorical cart parades. During the celebrations of the Valdericino Carnival it is possible to participate in the tasting of typical traditional products, and in particular couscous ca canni di porcu, i.e. couscous with pork.
› carnival in Valderice
You may also be interested in others events in Trapani area or in what to see in the surroundings of Trapani and Egadi Islands
In ancient times the Carnival celebration in Sicily represented an opportunity for Sicilian women to court and be courted by men. As is known, in fact, a few decades ago, sicilian women's social lives and their interactions with men were quite limited. In the shelter of masks and dominoes, however, on carnival days it was willingly accepted the custom of girls being a little "flirtatious", making fun of men, in a role-play to whom they were often taught by the most expert Sicilian mothers and grandmothers. In some small municipalities it is still possible to find traces of this cultural heritage, and there are couples who have been happily married for many years and have started their own love story on carnival days.
