Bisacquino Carnival

The oldest Carnival in Sicily

The Bisacquino Carnival takes place in Bisacquino, a charming village in the hinterland of the Palermo province, nestled 655 metres above sea level in the heart of western Sicily. Documented since at least the late 1600s, it is by far the oldest Carnival on the island: an unbroken folk tradition that transforms the village streets and the central Piazza Triona into a grand open-air theatre every year.

'U Zuppiddu, the iconic mask

At the heart of the festival's identity is 'U Zuppiddu, a peasant mask dressed in knickerbockers, a shirt, a waistcoat, a flat cap, and carrying a curved stick, holding an egg in one hand and a cricket in the other. According to tradition, on Fat Thursday, 'U Zuppiddu would force the villagers to eat an egg. He leads the float parade, and it is his ritual burning at midnight on the final day—announced by "lu sinnu" and accompanied by the humorous reading of his "will"—that marks the end of the Carnival. Beside him marches the Dominò, an ancient hooded mask that completely conceals the wearer.

Allegorical floats, masked groups, and dance parties

The programme revolves around the parade of papier-mâché floats and masked groups, which wind through the village up to Piazza Triona. Stalls selling local sweets and delicacies are set up along the streets, while the clubs overlooking the main square host nightly dances featuring ballroom music, mazurkas, and waltzes, with the inevitable buffet break. The festival concludes with the awards ceremony for the best floats and masks.

• Parade of allegorical floats and masked groups
• Parade led by 'U Zuppiddu
• 'Villaggio du Zuppiddo' and children's entertainment in Piazza Triona
• Dance evenings in local clubs
• Awards ceremony, reading of the will, and final bonfire

A village to discover

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to visit Bisacquino, the birthplace of film director Frank Capra (1897). The village is home to the Baroque Mother Church with its Serpotta-style stuccoes, the Church of San Francesco with its rare triangular bell tower, and the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Balzo. The Carnival is the moment when this community in the Municipality of Bisacquino proudly showcases its most authentic identity.