Artena Carnival

The Artena Carnival

The Artena Carnival is the most colorful winter event in the village of Monti Prenestini, located in the municipality of Artena, in the province of Rome, in the heart of the Lazio region. For a few days, the cobbled streets of the town transform into an open-air stage where masks, confetti, streamers, and cheerful music accompany the parade of allegorical floats and festive groups.

Europe's largest pedestrian historic center

What makes this festival unique is its setting: Artena boasts one of the largest pedestrian historic centers in Europe, a maze of alleys and stairways where cars are not allowed. It is the perfect opportunity to stroll in costume with children without the risk of traffic, admiring breathtaking views of the valley and breathing in a safe and engaging festive atmosphere.

The grand Shrove Tuesday parade

The highlight is the Shrove Tuesday parade. Floats and masked groups set off in the afternoon from Piazza Livatino and wind through the town streets to reach the Piazza Genocchi area, the former Valle Fini, where the party continues with music, entertainment, and performances. The sets and costumes, crafted with artistic care by the local districts, blend tradition and fantasy, creating an afternoon of fun and community spirit.

Districts, flag-wavers, and community

The Artena Carnival is deeply rooted in the town's social fabric. The allegorical floats are born in the workshops of the districts—such as Colubro and Maiotini—which challenge each other every year with creativity, with teams of volunteers working for weeks to build the mobile structures. The Artena Flag-wavers and Musicians also participate in the parade, bringing the echo of the famous summer Palio delle Contrade, another major identity-defining event for the town, to the procession.

An event for the whole family

Free and open to all, the Artena Carnival is designed primarily for families: children in costume, entertainment, confetti, and streamers turn the village into a big popular festival. The event is organized by the Municipality of Artena with the collaboration of the Ente Palio, the districts, and local merchant associations, in a spirit of participation that involves the entire community.