Carnival Festival

A masquerade party for the little ones

The Monteflavio Carnival Festival is one of the most anticipated winter events for families in this village of just over a thousand residents, perched at an altitude of 800 meters on the northern slopes of the Lucretili Mountains, in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio. This is not a parade of floats or a large-scale tourist attraction; it is a community festival built for and with the children, where the focus is simply on coming together for a fun-filled afternoon in February or March.

Where it takes place

The heart of the festivities is the Giovanni Paolo II Cultural Center, located at Via IV Novembre 2/A. This facility, managed by the Municipality of Monteflavio, serves as the hub for local cultural activities, housing the municipal library, study rooms, conference spaces, and the council chamber. Throughout the year, it hosts musical, literary, and recreational events. For Carnival, the main hall transforms into a dance and game floor, decorated with streamers and ornaments often crafted by the children themselves in the days leading up to the event.

How the afternoon unfolds

The program is simple and well-established, typically running for a single afternoon from approximately 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM:

• Children's costume parade: Kids arrive dressed up in traditional Italian masks, cartoon character outfits, or homemade costumes crafted by the local grandmothers.
• Games and entertainment: Led by volunteers and municipal staff, featuring competitions, group dances, and team activities.
• Music: A soundtrack curated for children, with moments of collective dancing.
• Snacks: Traditional seasonal sweets such as frappe (or chiacchiere) and castagnole, prepared according to authentic Lazio recipes.
• Confetti battle: The grand finale, which is always the most anticipated moment for the children.

Carnival in the Roman Sabina

Monteflavio belongs to the Sabina region, a hilly and mountainous area northeast of Rome that has preserved a festive calendar marked by religious and agricultural traditions. Carnival, which marks the final period of freedom and abundance before Lent, retains a domestic, intimate character here. There are no grand processions, but rather community gatherings, fried sweets, pranks, and costumes. In the villages of the Lucretili Mountains, this cozy atmosphere remains intact, and Monteflavio’s focus on an afternoon dedicated entirely to children is a contemporary way of keeping that tradition alive.

Free admission and community spirit

Participation is free and open to everyone: from local families to those from neighboring valley towns like Moricone, Montorio Romano, Nerola, and Scandriglia. For a village that experiences significant depopulation during the winter, the Carnival Festival is also a wonderful opportunity for families to welcome back children and grandchildren living in Rome, filling the historic center with life and laughter.

What to see in Monteflavio

Visitors coming from out of town can take advantage of the day to explore the village: the medieval historic center with its stone alleys, the Parish Church of San Marco Evangelista, and the panoramic views over the Tiber Valley and the Sabina Mountains. Monteflavio is also part of the Lucretili Mountains Regional Natural Park, featuring a dense network of hiking trails that start from the village and climb toward the mountain pastures and beech forests. Local gastronomy offers DOP Sabina extra virgin olive oil, pecorino cheeses, and hearty mountain dishes.

An event to check annually

The dates for the Carnival Festival follow the movable Lenten calendar and are published by the Municipality of Monteflavio on their official website and social media channels in the weeks leading up to the event. Those wishing to attend should check the 'Events' section of the municipal website or contact the offices directly.