Carnevale in Musica

The "Carnevale in Musica" in Pesco Sannita

In Pesco Sannita, a small town in the Province of Benevento overlooking the hills of Sannio, Carnival has long been one of the most cherished events on the local calendar. The Pro Loco Pesco Sannita organizes it under the name "Carnevale in Musica," a title that perfectly captures the event's spirit: masks and confetti are always accompanied by live music, folk storytelling, and conviviality.

The festival is born from the volunteer efforts of Pro Loco members and involves the Municipality of Pesco Sannita, the local school, the senior center, and local associations. The result is a community-driven Carnival, where allegorical floats are not sourced from professional workshops but are built by local groups, with prizes for all participants: a model still widespread in the villages of inland Campania, which makes it all the more authentic.

Allegorical floats, costumed groups, and parades through the village streets

The traditional heart of the day is the parade. The gathering takes place in Piazza Umberto I, in the town center, from where the procession of floats and costumed groups winds through the streets of Pesco Sannita accompanied by music. Past editions have also featured historical and re-enactment groups, with the day concluding in the municipal marquee with shows, entertainment, and dancing.

• Gathering and departure of the parade from Piazza Umberto I in the early afternoon
• Allegorical floats built by local groups, with prizes for all participants
• Costumed groups, children, and families in fancy dress
• Live music and entertainment in the municipal marquee
• Traditional Sannio Carnival sweets

Children's afternoon and the Dinner Show

In recent years, the event has been divided into two distinct parts. The afternoon is entirely dedicated to children, with entertainment shows designed just for them; in the evening, the marquee transforms into a convivial dining hall for the Dinner Show, featuring guests from the Campanian folk tradition—storytellers, comedians, and musicians—with limited seating by reservation. This choice allows two very different audiences to be accommodated on the same day without interference.

Inside the Carnival of the Sannio Pro Loco

"Carnevale in Musica" is not an isolated event: it is part of the grand UNPLI Benevento Pro Loco Carnival, a coordinated calendar that brings together the carnival celebrations of dozens of Pro Loco associations in the province every year. In 2026, the program united 27 Pro Loco groups between February 7th and 22nd, featuring float parades, masquerade parties, and ancient folk rituals—from the "Dead Carnival" of San Leucio to the symbolic bonfires of inland Sannio. As UNPLI Benevento president Renzo Mazzeo explained, it is "much more than a calendar of events," as it is the expression of the communities that build it. For those visiting Campania during this period, traveling from one village to another over the same weekend is the best way to understand how alive the carnival tradition still is in these villages.

Pesco Sannita and its Pro Loco

Pesco Sannita has just over two thousand inhabitants and is located a short distance from Benevento, along the roads climbing toward the Fortore valley. The local Pro Loco is active year-round: in addition to Carnival, it organizes the Sagra della Paccozza in August, recognized with the "Quality Festival" mark by UNPLI, the Music Festival in June, and the traditional 'u Pesco Vècchio evening at the beginning of January. Carnival is the first major event of the season and sets the tone for everything else: self-produced, popular, and open to visitors from outside the town.