Acireale Carnival

The most beautiful Carnival in Sicily

The Acireale Carnival is one of Sicily's most beloved and historic events, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to the Baroque heart of Acireale, in the province of Catania. Its reputation as the "most beautiful Carnival in Sicily" is well-earned, thanks to a unique blend of art, satire, tradition, and master craftsmanship.

The stars of the show: allegorical and floral floats

The heart of the festival lies in the parades of grotesque papier-mâché allegorical floats—true mobile architectural marvels standing up to 20 meters tall, brought to life by computerized mechanisms that animate the massive satirical figures. Alongside these are the famous floral floats, covered in tens of thousands of fresh flowers (primarily geraniums and carnations), which celebrate the historic floricultural heritage of the Etna region. The spectacle is completed by miniature floats, individual masks, and elaborate masked groups.

A history dating back to 1594

The first written record of the Acireale Carnival dates back to 1594, when the city's magistrates allocated funds for the festivities. Over the centuries, the event has evolved: from the first masked carriages to the papier-mâché allegorical floats (starting in 1880), and the debut of the "floral machines" in 1930, the ancestors of today's floral floats. Today, the Carnival is managed by the Fondazione Carnevale di Acireale with the support of the Sicilian Region.

More than just parades

• Concerts, DJ sets, and evening festivals in the square
• Street performer shows and family entertainment
• Float exhibitions and sketch displays
• Awards for various categories (Allegorical Floats A and B, Miniature Floats, Individual Masks, Floral Floats)
• The traditional burning of King Burlone in Piazza Duomo to close the festivities

When and where

The parades wind through the streets and squares of Acireale's historic center, a jewel of Sicilian Baroque overlooking the Ionian Sea at the foot of Mount Etna. The event takes place between late January and February, during the Carnival season, with a spring extension dedicated to flowers (the Flower Festival).