Belpasso Carnival
Allegorical floats and masquerade groups in the heart of Mount Etna
About Belpasso Carnival
The Belpasso Carnival
Nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Etna, the Belpasso Carnival is one of the most cherished events of the carnival season in the Metropolitan City of Catania. For a few days, the town of Belpasso transforms into an open-air stage: the streets of the center fill with allegorical floats, masquerade groups, confetti, and music, in a celebration that involves the entire community.
The floats of the Fondazione di Santa Lucia
The true star of the event is the allegorical float, built with papier-mâché using artisanal techniques passed down through generations. They are created by the craftsmen of the Fondazione dei Carri di Santa Lucia, who bring the same artistic expertise to the Carnival that they apply to the famous patronal feast of Belpasso. Alongside the floats, masquerade groups from local schools, parishes, and associations parade, each featuring a unique thematic design.
The route and the atmosphere
The parades wind through the town's main streets—from Piazza Stella Aragona, along Via Vittorio Emanuele III and Via Roma—to converge in Piazza Duomo, the most important square in Belpasso, where the awards ceremony for the masquerade groups takes place. There is no shortage of traditional culinary highlights, from tasting carnival chiacchiere to the "Maccheronata," making the Carnival a moment of conviviality and rediscovery of Etnean traditions.
A community celebration
Organized by the Municipality of Belpasso with the involvement of the Pro Loco, the Youth Council, schools, and numerous local associations, the Carnival is, as the municipal administration likes to remind us, "a special occasion to come together as a community." A free event open to all, it attracts visitors from neighboring towns and the entire Etnean area in the province of Catania, Sicily.
Belpasso Carnival — edition 2026
The 2026 Belpasso Carnival had two major parades of allegorical floats and masquerade groups on the calendar: Sunday, February 15th, and Tuesday, February 17th. Due to unfavorable weather conditions, as explained by Mayor Carlo Caputo, the parades were postponed and rescheduled in the format of a Spring Carnival, which took place on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The spring parade, which started from Piazza Stella Aragona through the Sant'Antonio district to Piazza Duomo, brought five allegorical floats created by the Fondazione dei Carri di Santa Lucia and numerous masquerade groups to the streets, welcomed—as local reports described—by "a river of color, music, and enthusiasm."
Programme Belpasso Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 15, 2026
- 9:30 AM — Departure of the procession of allegorical floats and masquerade groups from Piazza Stella Aragona, along Via Vittorio Emanuele III and Via Roma, arriving at Piazza Duomo.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (Shrove Tuesday)
- 3:00 PM — Grand finale starting from Piazza Dante and arriving at Piazza Duomo.
- Followed by: awards ceremony for the masquerade groups.
Spring Carnival — Sunday, April 12, 2026
Due to the postponement caused by bad weather in February, the parades were held in the spring.
- Departure from Piazza Stella Aragona (Borrello), through the Sant'Antonio district, to Piazza Duomo.
- Five allegorical floats by the Fondazione dei Carri di Santa Lucia.
- Masquerade groups with themes: "The Universe of Yayoi Kusama" (I.C. Madre Teresa di Calcutta), "The Wizard of Oz" (I.C. Martoglio), "Disney World" (Associazione La Coccinella), and "Hippie Hippie: Hooray!" (Azione Cattolica Cristo Re).
- Awards ceremony hosted by Loredana Tuccio.
Highlights Belpasso Carnival 2026
Prices Belpasso Carnival 2026
Practical information — Belpasso Carnival
How to get there
Belpasso is located on the slopes of Mount Etna, in the province of Catania. By car, it can be reached via the SS121 or the Catania ring road (Misterbianco/Belpasso exit); Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is about 20 km away. The parades take place in the historic center, around Piazza Duomo.
Admission
Admission to the parades and Carnival events is free.
Tips
During the parade days, the center is closed to traffic: it is advisable to park in areas outside the historic center and walk to Piazza Stella Aragona or Piazza Duomo.
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Where does it take place — Belpasso Carnival
Centro storico di Belpasso
Piazza Duomo, 95032 Belpasso