Calci Carnival
The Valgraziosa masquerade festival, featuring parades, marching bands, and children's games
About Calci Carnival
The Calci Carnival, a popular festival in Valgraziosa
In the heart of Valgraziosa, at the foot of Monte Pisano and just a few kilometers from Pisa, the Municipality of Calci celebrates its Carnival every year: a genuine and participatory village festival that turns the historic center's squares into a large open-air stage. There are no monumental floats like in Viareggio, but rather a community-focused event where the stars are children, families, and local associations.
Two days of costumes, music, and games
The Calci Carnival typically takes place over a weekend. The highlight is Sunday, when Piazza Cairoli hosts the start of the Costume Parade Competition: the procession winds along Via Roma and reaches Piazza Garibaldi, accompanied by marching bands and musical groups that set the rhythm for the parade. Here, a jury composed of members of the Calci Youth City Council and local community figures evaluates the most creative costumes.
Saturday is dedicated primarily to the little ones, with entertainment, face painting, handcrafted carousels, and games in Piazza Cavallotti, while local merchants participate with special openings and carnival-themed initiatives. Throughout the weekend, the squares remain a meeting point for all ages, filled with music, confetti, and recreational activities.
A festival built by the community
The Calci Carnival is organized by the Calci Carnival Committee with the patronage and support of the Municipality, and sees the collaboration of numerous local entities: cultural and volunteer associations, the Misericordia, recreational clubs, schools, and local musical groups. It is this network of volunteers that makes the event a deeply felt and rooted tradition in the life of the village.
Considered one of the most charming carnival celebrations in the province of Pisa, the Calci Carnival is the perfect opportunity to discover a village in authentic Tuscany, also known for the monumental Certosa di Calci, and to enjoy a day of festivities far from the crowds of major events.
Calci Carnival — edition 2026
9th edition of the Calci Carnival
The 2026 edition confirmed the two-day format. On Saturday, February 14, starting at 3:00 PM, Piazza Cavallotti hosted the "RiCiclo Carosello a Pedali" and "Tata Rachele Truccabimbi," featuring pedal-powered carousels, face painting, and drawing activities for children, with local shops open for a carnival-themed evening.
On Sunday, February 15, at 2:00 PM, the Costume Parade Competition departed from Piazza Cairoli, winding along Via Roma and accompanied by the Roman Banda Bassotti; the masks were welcomed in Piazza Garibaldi by the music of the Zebré association. The jury, formed by members of the Youth City Council and historical figures from the Valgraziosa community, awarded the best costumes. To close the weekend, the Otto Panzer Show took the stage.
Programme Calci Carnival 2026
Saturday, February 14, 2026
- From 3:00 PM — Piazza Cavallotti: "RiCiclo Carosello a Pedali" and "Tata Rachele Truccabimbi," with pedal-powered carousel, face painting, and drawing activities for children.
- All day: local shops open with a carnival-themed evening.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Piazza Cairoli: Start of the Costume Parade Competition.
- Along Via Roma: Parade accompanied by the Roman Banda Bassotti.
- Piazza Garibaldi: Arrival of the masks with music by the Zebré association and jury evaluation.
- Piazza Cavallotti: Throughout the afternoon, handcrafted games for all ages organized by the "Giocosamente" cultural recreational club.
- Followed by: Final performance of the Otto Panzer Show.
Highlights Calci Carnival 2026
Prices Calci Carnival 2026
Practical information — Calci Carnival
Location
The Carnival takes place in the historic center of Calci (PI), in Valgraziosa: Piazza Cairoli (parade start), Via Roma (parade route), Piazza Garibaldi (finish and awards), and Piazza Cavallotti (games and children's entertainment).
How to reach us
Calci is about 12 km from Pisa and can be reached by car via the SS12 and the Monte Pisano road network. By train, the reference station is Pisa Centrale, from where you can continue with suburban bus connections to Valgraziosa.
Admission
The event is free and open to everyone.
In case of rain
In the past, in case of bad weather, some activities have been moved indoors to local facilities: it is recommended to check for updates on the Carnival Committee and the Municipality of Calci's channels.
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Where does it take place — Calci Carnival
Centro storico di Calci
Piazza Cairoli, 56011 Calci