Baccanales – Jato Carnival

The Jato Valley Carnival

The Baccanales – Jato Carnival is the most important carnival event in the Jato Valley, in the heart of the Palermo province. The festival stems from the collaboration between the municipalities of San Giuseppe Jato and San Cipirello, two neighboring towns in western Sicily that, for a few days, merge into one large, festive community. The name recalls the Bacchanalia, the ancient festivals dedicated to Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry, and it is precisely this spirit of shared joy that fuels every edition.

Floats and Parades

The heart of Baccanales lies in the allegorical floats, crafted over months of hard work by local associations and groups. The floats parade along the main streets of the two towns, accompanied by hundreds of masked participants, music, and choreography curated by local dance schools. The parade usually starts in one town and reaches the other, alternating routes over the different days and turning the streets into an open-air stage.

A Tradition Engaging the Youth

Baccanales is, above all, a participatory festival: hundreds of young people from the Jato Valley work on building the floats, choreographing performances, and creating costumes. The event is organized by the Associazione Cresciamo Insieme, with the support of the municipal administrations of San Giuseppe Jato and San Cipirello. After a hiatus of several years due to the health emergency, the Jato Carnival has returned to fill the squares, confirming its role as a strong identity-building moment for the entire territory.

Masks, Awards, and Square Parties

The Carnival days feature parades, children's entertainment, live music, and evening festivities. One of the most anticipated traditions is the awards ceremony for the best and most original masks, which concludes the event with dancing and fun in the square. Baccanales is a free event open to everyone, capable of attracting visitors from neighboring towns in the province of Palermo and representing one of the most cherished Carnival appointments in this part of Sicily.