Aeolian Carnival

The Carnival of the Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Carnival is the most important carnival celebration in the Aeolian archipelago, taking place in the Municipality of Lipari, in the province of Messina, Sicily. It is an event deeply rooted in the life of the island community, which every year transforms the center of Lipari and the other islands into an explosion of colors, masks, and joy.

A tradition born in the seventies

The origins of the Aeolian Carnival date back to the 1970s, when the historic Snoopy Club of Lipari began organizing the first masked parades. Since then, the event has grown to become one of the island's most beloved traditions, uniting residents and visitors around a heritage of costumes, floats, and popular customs passed down from generation to generation.

Allegorical floats and masked groups

The heart of the festival lies in the parades of allegorical floats and costumed groups traveling along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, which is transformed for the occasion into a sea of people amidst confetti and streamers. The floats are crafted with great care by local groups and associations, including Noi siamo sul carro, Cantiere la Palma, Hierà, and La Fucina di Efesto from Vulcano, alongside groups from other islands such as the Scuola in mezzo al mare from Stromboli, the Centro Giovanile San Domenico Savio from Canneto, and Le Mascotte from Lipari.

A festival for the entire archipelago

A unique characteristic of the Aeolian Carnival is the desire to bring the celebration to all the islands of the Municipality of Lipari: carousels, parades, and events enliven not only the town center of Lipari but also Canneto, Vulcano, Stromboli, Panarea, Filicudi, and Alicudi, ensuring the carnival is truly "Aeolian." The program includes street performers, juggling, music, dance, and tastings of traditional sweets.

The float exhibition and awards

At the end of the parades, the Porto Sottomonastero hosts an exhibition of all participating floats and the competition to award the most beautiful float, a highly anticipated moment that concludes the event in style. Ample space is dedicated to children, with creative workshops for making masks and activities designed specifically for them.

Why attend

• Experience an authentic carnival in the unique setting of the Aeolian Islands
• Admire the handcrafted allegorical floats and masked groups
• Discover the popular Lipari tradition born in the 1970s
• Participate in a festival spread across all the islands of the archipelago
• Taste traditional Aeolian carnival sweets