Apennine Carnival / The Dead Carnival
The traditional carnival of Apecchio with parades, masks, and the ancient rite of the Dead Carnival
About Dead Carnival of Apecchio
The Carnival of Apecchio, between celebration and ancient rite
In the heart of the upper Marche Apennines, in Apecchio—a village in the province of Pesaro and Urbino known as the "First Beer City in Italy"—Carnival is not just an occasion for joy, but an event rooted in the mountain's peasant culture. The Apennine Carnival enlivens the streets of the historic center with parades, masks, music, and dances, but finds its most evocative and identity-defining moment in the rite of the Dead Carnival.
The rite of the Dead Carnival
The Dead Carnival is a popular tradition found in various areas of the Apennines: a satirical and tragicomic representation staging the "death" of King Carnival. An effigy, symbolizing the evils and vices of the past year, is carried in a funeral procession through the village streets, accompanied by mock laments, fake tears, and funeral songs. The climax is the burning of the effigy, which symbolically concludes the festivities and marks the transition from the period of revelry to the austerity of Lent. It is a rite of passage from the old to the new, where the community exorcises the end of the celebration with irony.
The celebration and the parade
Alongside the rite, Apecchio's Carnival offers the more joyful side of tradition: the parade of allegorical floats and masks along the historic center's streets, entertainment for families and children, and an evening dance with music continuing indoors. A program designed to engage all generations of the village and the surrounding hamlets of the upper Biscubio Valley.
A tradition of the Apecchio community
The organization is managed by the Pro Loco of Apecchio, which keeps this custom alive each year in the Municipality of Apecchio, in the Marche region. For visitors to the region, the Dead Carnival offers a precious opportunity to discover an authentic and archaic Carnival, far from large tourist parades and deeply connected to the identity of a mountain village.
Dead Carnival of Apecchio — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Apennine Carnival in Apecchio was held on February 14 and 15, 2026, as announced by the Apecchio community channels. The celebration animated the historic center of the village, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, with the usual blend of the cheerful face of Carnival and the ancient rite of the Dead Carnival.
The highlight was the funeral procession which, with irony and a tragicomic tone, staged the "death" of King Carnival, concluding with the burning of the effigy. The event, organized by the Pro Loco of Apecchio, confirmed the community's strong connection to this mountain tradition.
Programme Dead Carnival of Apecchio 2026
Apennine Carnival — February 14, 2026
Carnival celebrations in the historic center of Apecchio: parade of masks and allegorical floats, entertainment, and popular festival along the village streets, with music and dancing indoors afterwards.
The Dead Carnival — February 15, 2026
Traditional rite of the Dead Carnival: funeral procession through the village streets with the staging of King Carnival's "death" and the burning of the effigy, to close the festivities.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition (precise times and locations) was published by the organizers on the Apecchio community channels in poster format.
Highlights Dead Carnival of Apecchio 2026
Prices Dead Carnival of Apecchio 2026
Practical information — Dead Carnival of Apecchio
How to get there
Apecchio is located in the upper Marche Apennines, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino. By car, it can be reached from the SS73bis or the Strada Provinciale Apecchiese; the nearest airports and train stations are on the Adriatic coast (Pesaro, Fano) and Città di Castello, from which you continue by car inland.
When
The Carnival takes place during the Carnival period, between February and March. The evening parade and the rite of the Dead Carnival animate the historic center; the evening continues with music and dancing indoors.
Admission
Admission is free. For updated information, it is advisable to contact the Pro Loco of Apecchio (tel. +39 0722 989004) or consult the Pro Loco's social media channels and the website apecchio.net.
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Where does it take place — Dead Carnival of Apecchio
Centro storico di Apecchio