Ambrosian Carnival of the Don Bosco Oratory of Carugate

The Ambrosian Carnival in Carugate

In Carugate, in the Province of Milan, Carnival is celebrated according to the Ambrosian rite, which unlike the Roman rite, lasts until the Saturday after Ash Wednesday. The Don Bosco Oratory of the Parish of Sant'Andrea Apostolo organizes the festival, involving children, teenagers, and young people each year in building the floats and preparing the parade.

The 2026 Theme: 'Nofrost'

The 2026 edition adheres to the theme chosen by the Archdiocese of Milan for the Ambrosian Carnival, 'Nofrost': an ironic and creative tribute to winter sports, designed to be celebrated with or without snow. The theme is directly inspired by the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, and translates into themed floats and costumes: in Carugate, the oratory's young people create floats with a skier and the snowman Olaf ice skating, while the children parade dressed as snowmen and hockey players.

The Parade and the Party at the Oratory

The parade starts in the early afternoon and crosses the town's streets with floats and masked groups, amidst confetti and music. At the end of the procession, the celebration continues at the oratory with entertainment, baby dance, and music for the little ones. It is a community day, free and open to all, which is part of the oratory's educational path.

A Shared Tradition in the Milan Area

The Ambrosian Carnival is an identifying characteristic of the Milanese territory: on the same weekend, dozens of oratories and parishes in the Archdiocese liven up their towns with parades and parties. In Carugate, the event is part of this diocesan network, while maintaining its local and family character.