Bastiglia Carnival

The village Carnival of Bastiglia

When Carnival arrives, the small municipality of Bastiglia, in Bassa Modenese (Province of Modena, Emilia-Romagna), transforms into a festive town. For one Sunday, the streets of the center fill with confetti, colorful costumes, and music: the Bastiglia Carnival is one of those genuine village festivals, designed especially for children and families, where the whole community gathers in the square.

The masked parade

The heart of the day is the masked parade that starts from Piazza Repubblica, the meeting point for costumed adults and children, and crosses the historic center to Piazza Tintori. Leading the parade is a traveling band that, year after year, sets the pace of the festival with infectious rhythms: from the Banda Rulli Frulli to the S'ambarkamo marching band, live music is always the star. Along the route and in the squares, there are performances by street artists, dance exhibitions, and entertainment moments.

Games, stalls, and tradition

After the parade, the festival comes alive with stalls set up by local associations: from classic piñatas to ring toss games, from old-fashioned games to wooden crafts. There are also snacks offered by local merchants, which are part of the tradition of this community day. It's a Carnival that focuses on the popular and family dimension, far from the large scale of historic carnivals but rich in the typical warmth of Emilia's villages.

Award ceremony for costumes

The grand finale is dedicated to the award ceremony for the best costumes: prizes are given for the funniest, most original, scariest, and most ecological, with special awards for family costumes and the best group costume. It's a way to celebrate the creativity and effort of those who prepare their outfits.

Who organizes the festival

The Carnival is promoted by the Municipal Administration of Bastiglia in collaboration with merchants, village associations, and school parent committees. It is this network of volunteers and local entities that makes it possible each year for a completely free and open-to-all festival, a symbol of the identity of a small municipality in the Modenese plain.