Campoli Carnival

The Campoli Carnival, the festival that lights up the town

The Campoli Carnival is the most cherished event of the year in Campoli del Monte Taburno, a village of just over 1,500 residents in the province of Benevento, in the heart of inland Campania. At the foot of the Taburno massif, just a few kilometers from the provincial capital, the festival transforms the streets of the town center and the surrounding districts into an open-air stage featuring allegorical floats, masked groups, music, and confetti.

A festival built by the districts and families

What makes this carnival special is not the scale of the event, but how it comes to life. In the weeks leading up to the parade, the Pro Loco Monte Taburno, the Parish, and the Youth Forum meet to choose the year's theme; from that moment on, districts, families, groups of friends, and the local school get to work in garages and courtyards to build the floats and prepare costumes. It is artisanal work, made of papier-mâché, wood, fabric, and a lot of patience, which involves all generations and explains why Carnival day is experienced as a true community celebration rather than just a simple show.

The route: from the Villa Comunale to the districts

The parade follows a well-established route. The gathering takes place in the morning at the Villa Comunale, the meeting point for floats, masks, and children; from here, the procession moves along the streets of the center and reaches even the most distant districts, such as Greci, Martini, and Pantanella, ensuring no part of the town is left out of the festivities. In the early afternoon, the procession departs again from the Villa Comunale for the final stretch, leading to Piazza La Marmora, the main square where the grand finale takes place.

The square celebration and awards

In the square, the carnival shifts gears: inflatables and games for the little ones, stands with food and Carnival sweets, confetti showers, and the inevitable bonfire that symbolically closes the day. This is also where the awards ceremony is held, with recognition given in various categories.

• Best float
• Most original float
• Craziest float
• Funniest float
• Best mask

The prizes do not have a real competitive value: they serve to celebrate the work of each group and encourage the districts to do even better the following year.

Themes and floats: the 2025 edition example

Each edition revolves around a common theme chosen together. In 2025, the choice fell on cartoons, particularly the Disney universe: the parade featured nine floats dedicated to 101 Dalmatians, Cinderella, The Minions, Alice in Wonderland, The Simpsons, Pinocchio, PJ Masks, as well as floats for Mini Mickey Mouse and Pluto's puppies. A theme designed for children, who remain the true protagonists of the day.

Campoli del Monte Taburno, a village in the Sannio region

The municipality of Campoli del Monte Taburno is located about eleven kilometers from Benevento and just over forty from Naples, in an area of olive groves, vineyards, and woods dominated by the silhouette of the Taburno, which locals call the Sleeping Beauty of Sannio. The town is also known for its agricultural products: the Taburno bean, celebrated in autumn by a festival now in its thirtieth year, and cherries, the stars of an early summer festival. The Carnival opens this calendar of events and represents the moment when the community reunites after the winter.

Tips for visitors

The parade is designed for families: there is a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are recommended, and it is advisable to bring sunglasses or a hat to protect yourself from confetti. Those who want to follow the entire route can join the procession in the morning at the Villa Comunale; those who prefer to see only the grand finale can head directly to Piazza La Marmora in the afternoon. During the passage of the floats, the central streets are closed to traffic: it is best to leave your car at the entrance of the town and continue on foot.