Bacanal del Gnoco – Verona Carnival
The Carnival of Verona and its Gnocolar Friday, among the oldest traditions in Europe
About Bacanal del Gnoco
A Carnival Born in the 16th Century
The Bacanal del Gnoco is the heart of the Verona Carnival and one of the oldest carnival traditions in Europe. Its origins date back to 1531: according to historical accounts, between 1520 and 1531 Verona was hit by Adige floods and severe famines. On June 18, 1531, tension exploded in the San Zeno district, where the starving population stormed the bakeries. Twelve citizens, including the doctor Tomaso Da Vico, supported the poor by distributing food, becoming the symbols of a festival that has been repeated every year since then.
The Papà del Gnoco
The mask that leads the Carnival is the Papà del Gnoco, a benevolent figure dressed in red and white, wielding a gnocchi-shaped scepter, a symbol of Veronese gastronomic tradition. His investiture, at the beginning of January, officially kicks off the celebrations that continue until Gnocolar Friday.
Gnocolar Friday
The highlight is Gnocolar Friday (the last Friday of Carnival), with the grand parade of allegorical floats and masked groups that crosses the center of Verona to reach the San Zeno district, where gnocchi are distributed to the population. It is one of the most heartfelt popular festivals in the city, in the province of Verona (Veneto Region), capable of uniting different generations in the name of tradition and solidarity.
Bacanal del Gnoco — edition 2026
The 496th edition of the Bacanal del Gnoco officially opened on January 6, 2026, with the investiture of the Papà del Gnoco, kicking off over a month of celebrations that culminated on Gnocolar Friday, February 13. The grand parade, organized by the Comitato Benefico Festa de la Renga ETS with the Municipality of Verona, followed a renewed route due to the setups in Piazza Bra for the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics.
Programme Bacanal del Gnoco 2026
Opening — January 6, 2026
- Investiture of the Papà del Gnoco and official start of the 496th Carnival, in the San Zeno district
Gnocolar Friday — Friday, February 13, 2026, from 2:15 PM
- 24 allegorical floats and over 40 masked groups
- Departure from Piazza Luigi Cadorna, crossing Ponte della Vittoria, then Via Diaz, Corso Cavour, Corso Castelvecchio, Largo Don Bosco, Via San Zeno in Oratorio, Regaste San Zeno, Piazza Corrubbio, Piazza Pozza to Piazza San Zeno
- Route of approximately 2.5 km, expected arrival between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM
- Music, shows, distribution of gnocchi, and charity initiatives
Highlights Bacanal del Gnoco 2026
Prices Bacanal del Gnoco 2026
Practical information — Bacanal del Gnoco
How to get there
The parade takes place in the historic center of Verona and in the San Zeno district, reachable on foot from the center or by public transport from the Verona Porta Nuova station. Traffic closures are expected during the parade.
Admission
The parade and celebrations are free and outdoors.
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Where does it take place — Bacanal del Gnoco
Quartiere San Zeno e centro storico
Piazza San Zeno, 37123 Verona