Floats and masks in the heart of Val Trebbia
In the heart of the Val Trebbia, the Bobbio Carnival is one of the most beloved events of the Piacenza winter. It takes place in Bobbio, a splendid medieval village in the Province of Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna), listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy and famous for its Ponte Gobbo, also known as the Devil's Bridge, which crosses the Trebbia river with its irregular arches. Organized by the Pro Loco "Quelli che Pontano", the event has been animating the town since 1979 and grows year by year in terms of both floats and public attendance.
The heart of the celebration is the parades of allegorical floats, built by masked groups from the area, which traverse the historic center starting from Piazza XXV Aprile. Amidst confetti and streamers, the masked participants accompany the floats with choreography, dances, and music, transforming the village streets into a grand open-air spectacle. Typical seasonal sweets, from chiacchiere to frittelle, are also available, along with the village atmosphere that makes this Carnival a truly popular event.
In addition to the daytime parades, the program includes the traditional evening masked ball, the highlight of the festival, with live music, dancing, and the award ceremony for the most beautiful groups and masks. It's an opportunity to celebrate together the work of those who, for months, prepare the floats and costumes, in a spirit of community that is the true hallmark of the Bobbio Carnival.
Experiencing Carnival in Bobbio also means discovering one of the most charming municipalities in the Emilian Apennines: the Ponte Gobbo, the Abbey of San Colombano, the alleys of the historic center, and the flavors of local cuisine, such as Brachettone, a typical cured meat linked to the Carnival period. A combination of celebration, tradition, and heritage that makes this event an unmissable stop for anyone visiting the Province of Piacenza in winter.
The Bobbio Carnival 2026 animated the historic center of Bobbio with two Sunday parades of allegorical floats and an evening masked ball. As stated by the Pro Loco president Giovanni Alberti, the 2026 edition confirmed the spirit of a festival that "brings joy since 1979," enriched each year with some novelty to surprise the public.
The program consisted of three events, including floats, masks, music, and typical Carnival sweets.
Throughout the village streets, during the festival days, chiacchiere, fritters, and mulled wine were distributed.
Bobbio is reachable by car via the SS45 of Val Trebbia, about 45 km from Piacenza. By train, the reference station is Piacenza, connected to Bobbio by intercity buses. The parades start from Piazza XXV Aprile, in the historic center.
Admission to the parades is free. The allegorical float processions generally start in the afternoon, around 2:00 PM; the masked ball takes place in the evening. It is advisable to consult the official Pro Loco channels for updated times.
Warm clothing for outdoor parades and masks or costumes to participate in the festive spirit. Opportunity to taste chiacchiere, fritters, and mulled wine in the village streets.
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Centro storico di Bobbio
Piazza XXV Aprile, 29022 Bobbio