Carleontino Carnival

The Carleontino Carnival

The Carleontino Carnival is the traditional festive celebration of the Municipality of Carlentini, a town in the province of Syracuse located on the Climiti Mountains in the hinterland of eastern Sicily. Promoted and organized by the local administration, the event transforms the town's squares into a vibrant space for a few days, focusing primarily on children and families with entertainment, music, and colorful attractions.

Two locations, one celebration

A unique feature of the Carleontino Carnival is its widespread nature: the festivities do not take place solely in the center of Carlentini, but also involve the hillside hamlet of Pedagaggi, where activities are centered in Piazza Madonnina del Grappa. In this way, the local administration brings the carnival atmosphere to the more inland parts of the municipal territory, celebrating both communities.

A Carnival designed for families

The program focuses on entertainment for the little ones. Typical offerings include:

• entertainment and games for children led by professional animators;
• bouncy castles and outdoor play activities;
• stands with popcorn, cotton candy, and traditional carnival sweets;
• music and DJ sets in the squares to accompany the festive days;
• masks and costumes, with the spontaneous participation of children and families.

Admission to the events in the squares is free, in keeping with the popular and community-oriented spirit of the festival.

Carnival in Sicily

Carnival is one of the most cherished celebrations in Sicily, an island that boasts some of Italy's most famous historical carnivals, from Acireale to Sciacca. Alongside these large-scale events, local town carnivals like the one in Carlentini keep alive a tradition rooted in social connection, joy, and the participation of local communities, following the shifting calendar of Carnival between January and Shrove Tuesday.

Carlentini and its surroundings

Founded in the 16th century and historically linked to the nearby town of Lentini, Carlentini sits in a panoramic position on the Climiti Mountains. Visiting the town during Carnival is also an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Syracuse hinterland, far from the main tourist flows, where the festival remains a true meeting point for the locals.