Carnival in Casali di Poggio Nativo

A village carnival in the Sabina region

The Carnival in Casali di Poggio Nativo is one of the most anticipated winter events in Sabina, the hilly area connecting the province of Rieti to the Roman countryside. Casali is the most populous district of the Municipality of Poggio Nativo, in the province of Rieti (Lazio), and for years it has hosted a festival that is completely authentic: the residents themselves build the floats, sew the costumes, and decorate the square.

The float parade

The heart of the day is the float parade, which travels through the streets of the district and converges on Piazza San Silvestro Papa, Casali's open-air living room. The floats, crafted over the preceding months with papier-mâché, wood, and a lot of patience, are often inspired by cartoons, fairy tales, and current events: each group works for months, and the friendly rivalry between teams is part of the fun. Along with the floats, costumed groups, children in fancy dress, and marching bands parade through clouds of confetti, streamers, and music.

Frappe, castagnole, and homemade flavors

As is the case throughout the Lazio tradition, this carnival is as much about eating as it is about watching. Traditional sweets of the season are distributed in the square: frappe—thin, fried pastry sheets dusted with powdered sugar, known elsewhere as chiacchiere or bugie—and castagnole, small, warm, fried sweet dough balls. They are prepared by the local women and offered or sold at symbolic prices, often to support the activities of the organizing committee.

A community celebration

More than just a tourist spectacle, the Casali carnival is a moment of community gathering. The event is promoted by the Comitato Casali di Poggio Nativo, the local association that also organizes the historic Feast of Saint Anne in July, and it involves families, young people, and volunteers of all ages. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is that of a traditional Sabina village festival: people gather in the square, stop to chat, and children run between the floats.

What to expect

• Parade of allegorical floats and costumed groups through the streets of Casali
• Gathering and final celebration in Piazza San Silvestro Papa
• Distribution of frappe and castagnole and other carnival sweets
• Music, entertainment, and games for children
• Free admission, event suitable for the whole family

Discovering Poggio Nativo and Sabina

Poggio Nativo is located about 45 kilometers from Rome and twenty kilometers from Rieti, in an area of olive groves that produces one of Italy's most awarded extra virgin olive oils, the Sabina PDO. The village overlooks the Tiber valley and is crossed by the Way of St. Francis in Lazio, the pilgrimage route that retraces the Franciscan sites of the Rieti valley. A visit to the carnival can easily become an opportunity for a day trip among villages, oil mills, and abbeys: nearby are Farfa with its famous imperial abbey, Fara in Sabina, and Poggio Mirteto, home to the centuries-old Carnevalone Liberato.

When to go

The most recent edition took place on Sunday, January 25, 2026, ahead of the traditional carnival calendar: a choice that allows those living in the area to also participate in other Sabina carnivals in the following weeks. Dates are communicated each year by the organizing committee and the Municipality, usually a few weeks before the event.