Carnival Festival

A village Carnival in the heart of Irpinia

The Carnival Festival in Salza Irpina is one of those events that captures the soul of Irpinia's small towns better than any guidebook. Located in the province of Avellino, in Campania, this village of just over seven hundred inhabitants sits at an altitude of about 547 meters. Here, Carnival is not a spectacle staged for tourists, but a celebration the village organizes for itself—which is precisely why it so naturally welcomes visitors.

Forget monumental floats or paid grandstands: here, Carnival is made of homemade costumes, confetti tossed from balconies, children running through narrow streets, and parents following them with phones in hand. It is the most intimate and authentic version of the Campanian carnival tradition, one that survives thanks to volunteers rather than large budgets.

The village parade

The heart of the day is the masquerade parade. The gathering takes place in Piazza Michele Capozzi, the village's main square, where families, groups of friends, and local associations meet in the early afternoon. From there, the procession moves slowly through the streets of Salza Irpina, accompanied by music and the festive noise of the revelers.

• Gathering in Piazza Michele Capozzi in the early afternoon
• Parade through the town center, with masks of all ages
• Confetti, streamers, and music along the entire route
• Arrival at the party venue for the second part of the afternoon

The party at the former elementary school

Once the parade ends, the festivities move indoors to the former elementary school on Via Banda di Luccaro. The afternoon continues with baby dance, organized games, entertainment, and a shared snack featuring the traditional sweets that are a staple of the Irpinian Carnival. It is the moment when the celebration truly belongs to everyone: the children are the absolute protagonists, while the adults dance or simply stop to chat.

Who organizes it

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco Ciao Salza, an UNPLI affiliate, in collaboration with local associations and schools, including the Carmelitane Schools of Salza Irpina. This is the same Pro Loco that enlivens the village calendar throughout the year, from the Asparagus Festival in May to the Chestnut Festival in October, as well as various gastronomic events celebrating local woodland products.

Salza Irpina, a village to discover

The Municipality of Salza Irpina is part of the Terminio Cervialto Mountain Community and is located just a few kilometers from Avellino, in a hilly area rich in chestnut groves and forests that provide the porcini mushrooms and chestnuts defining the local cuisine. The village's name comes from the Latin salsa, referring to a salty spring used since Roman times. In 2005, Salza Irpina received the Gold Medal for Civil Merit for its reconstruction following the earthquake of November 23, 1980.

Visitors arriving for Carnival can take the opportunity to stroll through the historic center, between the Palazzo dei Marchesi Imperiali d'Afflitto and the alleys that open up to wide panoramas toward the Picentini Mountains.

Carnival in Irpinia

Salza Irpina is part of a region where Carnival has deep roots and spectacular forms: nearby Montemarano with its tarantella, the Zeze of Cesinali and Capriglia Irpina, the allegorical floats of Castelvetere sul Calore, and the Mascarata Serinese. A day in Salza Irpina can easily be combined with a visit to one of these events for an itinerary that explores all the nuances of the Irpinian Carnival, from grand parades to community parties.

When it takes place

The Salza Irpina Carnival Festival traditionally falls on Shrove Tuesday, the last day of the carnival period, which can occur between February and March depending on the year. In 2025, it took place on Tuesday, March 4. Dates for future editions are usually announced a few weeks in advance through the Pro Loco Ciao Salza channels: it is advisable to check them before traveling.