Carnival in the Villa
Benevento's Shrove Tuesday: allegorical floats on Corso Garibaldi and a masquerade party in the Villa Comunale
About Carnival in the Villa
Carnival in the Villa, Benevento's Shrove Tuesday
Carnival in the Villa is the event with which the city of Benevento celebrates Shrove Tuesday. On the final afternoon of Carnival, the historic center of the Sannio capital fills with confetti, costumes, and music: a parade of allegorical floats travels through the main streets, and the festivities then move to the greenery of the Villa Comunale, where families and children find entertainment, shows, and games until evening. The initiative is promoted by the Pro Loco of Benevento «Samnium», led by president Pino Petito, with the moral patronage of the Municipality of Benevento, and is presented by the organizers as an event of social, cultural, and tourist value for the city.
The route: from Piazza Orsini to the Cassa Armonica
The meeting point is set for the early afternoon in Piazza Orsini, in front of the Cathedral, where the allegorical floats set off at 3:00 PM. The masked parade then travels along Corso Garibaldi, the main artery of the historic center, until reaching Piazza Castello. From there, the party moves to the setting of the Villa Comunale, around the historic Cassa Armonica, which becomes the stage for the afternoon with music, entertainment, and show segments. The event unfolds throughout the afternoon, from approximately 2:30 PM to 8:00 PM: it is not just a short parade, but a day of celebration to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Allegorical floats and masks
The visual heart of the parade is the allegorical floats created for the occasion: in the 2026 edition, «The Castle of Stintch» and «Fairy Tales on the Corso» animated Corso Garibaldi, two displays designed especially for the younger audience. Anyone who wishes to dress up in a costume can participate in the parade: no registration for a float is required, just join the procession at the start from Piazza Orsini. Alongside the floats, there are performances by local dance schools, DJ sets, and opportunities for souvenir photos with costumed characters.
«The Most Beautiful Mask»: the contest for children and families
Among the most popular initiatives is the «Most Beautiful Mask» contest, which rewards the creativity and inventiveness of children and their families. Participation is simple: send a photo of your costume via WhatsApp to the organization's number and collect votes on the Pro Loco «Samnium» Facebook page. The winner is announced during the party in the Villa Comunale, along with awards dedicated to the floats.
A tradition rooted in 1955
The Benevento Carnival is not new: the first official edition of the Benevento Carnival dates back to 1955, and since then, the event has gone through various phases, with periods of interruption and subsequent revivals. The roots of the festival, however, are even older, sinking into the pagan and medieval popular culture of the territory, in a city that has made its symbolic identity—from the famous witches of Benevento to the Arch of Trajan—a recognizable trait throughout Campania. The current format, centered on the Villa Comunale and families, is the contemporary version of this long-standing city tradition.
In the calendar of the Great Carnival of the Pro Loco of Sannio
Carnival in the Villa is not an isolated event: it is part of the Great Carnival of the UNPLI Pro Loco of Benevento, the provincial calendar that in 2026 brought together 26 Pro Loco associations of Sannio between February 7 and 22. From Foglianise to Pietrelcina, from Guardia Sanframondi to Santa Croce del Sannio, the villages of the Province of Benevento offer float parades, masquerade parties, and ancient popular rites. For those visiting Campania during this period, the Municipality of Benevento thus becomes the ideal base to discover a widespread Carnival, very different from that of the major, more well-known tourist destinations.
Why it's worth it
- A free, family-friendly Carnival in the heart of the historic center.
- The parade of floats along Corso Garibaldi, among the buildings of the monumental center.
- The Villa Comunale and the Cassa Armonica as the setting for the final party.
- The «Most Beautiful Mask» contest, open to children and families.
- The opportunity to combine the day with other Sannio parades.
Carnival in the Villa — edition 2026
Carnival in the Villa 2026 in Benevento
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Shrove Tuesday, the historic center of Benevento hosted the 2026 edition of Carnival in the Villa, promoted by the Pro Loco of Benevento «Samnium» led by president Pino Petito, with the moral patronage of the Municipality of Benevento. The event took place throughout the afternoon, from 2:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
The float parade
At 3:00 PM, two allegorical floats departed from Piazza Orsini: «The Castle of Stintch» and «Fairy Tales on the Corso». The procession, open to all those who arrived in costume, traveled along Corso Garibaldi amidst confetti and music until Piazza Castello.
The party in the Villa Comunale
At the conclusion of the parade, the party moved to the Villa Comunale, around the Cassa Armonica, with entertainment for the little ones, performances by local dance schools, a DJ set by Mimmo and Mary, souvenir photos with costumed characters, and awards for the floats and masks.
«The Most Beautiful Mask»
The «Most Beautiful Mask» contest rewarded the creativity of children and families: costume photos were sent via WhatsApp to 0824 1743888 and voted on the Pro Loco's Facebook page, with the winner announced on February 17. The 2026 edition was part of the Great Carnival of the UNPLI Pro Loco of Benevento, the calendar that involved 26 Pro Loco associations of Sannio from February 7 to 22.
Programme Carnival in the Villa 2026
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 — Shrove Tuesday
- 2:30 PM — Opening of the event, meeting of masks in the historic center
- 3:00 PM — Departure from Piazza Orsini of the allegorical floats «The Castle of Stintch» and «Fairy Tales on the Corso», with the mask procession open to all
- Afternoon — Parade along Corso Garibaldi and arrival at Piazza Castello
- Following — Transfer to the Villa Comunale, at the Cassa Armonica: children's entertainment, dance school performances, DJ set with Mimmo and Mary, souvenir photos with costumed characters
- In the Villa — Announcement of the «Most Beautiful Mask» contest and awards for the floats
- 8:00 PM — Closing of the party
Registration for the «Most Beautiful Mask» contest: send a photo in costume via WhatsApp to 0824 1743888, voting on the Pro Loco of Benevento «Samnium» Facebook page.
Highlights Carnival in the Villa 2026
- Two allegorical floats: «The Castle of Stintch» and «Fairy Tales on the Corso»
- Departure at 3:00 PM from Piazza Orsini and parade along Corso Garibaldi to Piazza Castello
- Final party in the Villa Comunale, around the Cassa Armonica
- Children's entertainment and dance school performances
- DJ set with Mimmo and Mary
- «Most Beautiful Mask» contest for children and families
- Procession open to anyone who shows up in costume
Prices Carnival in the Villa 2026
Practical information — Carnival in the Villa
When
Carnival in the Villa takes place on Shrove Tuesday, the last day of Carnival: in 2026 it fell on February 17, with entertainment from 2:30 PM to 8:00 PM and the departure of the floats at 3:00 PM.
Where
Departure from Piazza Orsini (in front of the Benevento Cathedral), parade along Corso Garibaldi to Piazza Castello, final party in the Villa Comunale at the Cassa Armonica. All locations are in the historic center and are within walking distance of each other.
How to get there
By train: Benevento Centrale station, on the Naples–Foggia line; from the station, the historic center can be reached in a few minutes by bus or on foot. By car: Take the Benevento exit from the highway junction connected to the A16 Naples–Canosa; it is advisable to leave the car in the parking lots surrounding the center, as Corso Garibaldi and the surrounding streets are closed to traffic during the parade.
Admission and costs
Participation is free of charge, both for the parade and the party in the Villa Comunale. No tickets or reservations are required.
Tips
It is an event designed for children: it is best to arrive in costume and show up at Piazza Orsini shortly before 3:00 PM to follow the procession from the beginning. February in Benevento can be cold and rainy, so it is better to dress in layers and wear comfortable footwear. Those who want to participate in the «Most Beautiful Mask» contest must send their costume photo via WhatsApp in the days prior.
Contacts
Pro Loco of Benevento «Samnium» — Tourist Info Point in Piazza Cardinal Pacca, phone and WhatsApp 0824 1743888; updates on the Facebook page «Proloco di Benevento Samnium».
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