Carnival in the Village of Vitorchiano
Floats, masks, and merriment in the 'Suspended Village' of Tuscia
About Vitorchiano Carnival
The Carnival of the 'Suspended Village'
In Vitorchiano, a medieval village in the province of Viterbo perched on a cliff of peperino stone that earned it the nickname 'Suspended Village', the carnival is a celebration that has been part of the community's identity for generations. The Carnival in the Village, reaching its third edition in its current format in 2026, revives and promotes a carnival tradition documented for over 75 years, transforming alleys, squares, and crenellated walls into a stage of color, music, and joy.
A tradition spanning over 75 years
The roots of the Vitorchiano carnival date back to the 1950s, when the festival marked a break from agricultural labor: back then, floats were handmade from wood and decorated with ivy and colorful ribbons. Today, that genuine, rustic spirit lives on in papier-mâché floats enriched with natural materials, crafted during the winter months by local groups according to tradition.
The format: two Sundays of celebration
The Carnival in the Village takes place over two Sundays between late January and early February. The first parade starts from the Pallone area (Multisala parking lot) and reaches Piazza Monti Cimini, where the party explodes with music, dancing, and entertainment. On the second Sunday, the procession winds through the town: floats and costumed groups depart from the Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova and converge in Piazza Umberto I, at the gates of the historic center, for the grand finale.
Floats and costumed groups
Each edition brings new themes and sets designed by volunteer groups to the streets. The 2026 edition featured five themed groups — Super Mario, 101 Dalmatians, The Mexicans, Pacman, and The Smurfs — accompanied by masks, choreography, and games for children. Previous editions have seen penguins and Eskimos with a sound-equipped igloo, the farmers of the witty 'Fanta-Farm', DJ Minions, and even a train of WhatsApp emojis: the creativity of the people of Vitorchiano knows no bounds.
Carnival flavors
The parades are accompanied by delicious treats: the food stand offers sausage sandwiches, fried donuts, popcorn, and cotton candy, while at the end of the festivities, visitors can taste typical carnival sweets from the Tuscia region. Past editions have also featured Slow Food stalls with local products and creative workshops for children.
A community celebration in the heart of Tuscia
The Carnival in the Village is organized by the Carnival and Culture Vitorchiano ETS Association, chaired by Angela Cratassa, with the support of the Municipality of Vitorchiano and the active participation of families and volunteers. Admission is free, and anyone can join the parades with their own costumed group by contacting the association. An authentic stop for those who want to discover the most festive side of the villages in the province of Viterbo and the Lazio Region.
Vitorchiano Carnival — edition 2026
In 2026, the Carnival in the Village of Vitorchiano celebrated its third edition, confirming the two-Sunday format that unites the new area of the town and the historic center. On Sunday, January 25, the parade started at 3:00 PM from the Multisala parking lot in the Pallone area, arriving at Piazza Monti Cimini amidst music, dancing, and entertainment; on Sunday, February 8, the procession moved from the parking lot of the Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova to converge in Piazza Umberto I, at the 'Giardinetti', in the heart of the village.
Five groups were confirmed in the parade — Super Mario, 101 Dalmatians, The Mexicans, Pacman, and The Smurfs — with the possibility of a sixth surprise group. Accompanying the papier-mâché floats decorated with natural materials, the food stand offered sausage sandwiches, fried donuts, popcorn, and cotton candy. The event, promoted by the Carnival and Culture Association with the support of the Municipality of Vitorchiano, was free to attend.
Programme Vitorchiano Carnival 2026
Sunday, January 25, 2026 — Pallone area
- 3:00 PM — departure of the allegorical float parade from the Multisala parking lot, in the Pallone area.
- Arrival at Piazza Monti Cimini: great party with music, dancing, and entertainment.
Sunday, February 8, 2026 — historic center
- 3:00 PM — departure of the parade from the parking lot of the Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova.
- Arrival at Piazza Umberto I ('Giardinetti'): allegorical floats, costumed groups, entertainment, and dancing in the heart of the village until about 5:30 PM.
Parade groups
- Super Mario
- 101 Dalmatians
- The Mexicans
- Pacman
- The Smurfs
- Possible surprise sixth group
Food stand with sausage sandwiches, fried donuts, popcorn, and cotton candy. In case of bad weather, parades are postponed to the following Sunday.
Highlights Vitorchiano Carnival 2026
- Parade of papier-mâché allegorical floats from the Pallone area to Piazza Monti Cimini (January 25).
- Costumed procession towards the historic center up to Piazza Umberto I (February 8).
- Five themed groups: Super Mario, 101 Dalmatians, The Mexicans, Pacman, and The Smurfs.
- Music, dancing, and family entertainment in the 'Suspended Village'.
- Food stand with carnival specialties.
- Free admission.
Prices Vitorchiano Carnival 2026
Practical information — Vitorchiano Carnival
Where it takes place
Vitorchiano (VT), in the Viterbo Tuscia region: the first Sunday in the Pallone area with arrival at Piazza Monti Cimini; the second Sunday with departure from the Church of Sant'Antonio da Padova and arrival at Piazza Umberto I.
How to get there
By car: Orte-Viterbo expressway, take the Vitorchiano exit, about 10 minutes from Viterbo; A1 motorway, Orte exit, about 20 km away. By train: Vitorchiano station on the Rome-Viterbo line, or Orte station with a short road connection.
Admission
Free. In case of bad weather, parades are postponed to the following Sunday.
Tips
Arrive by 3:00 PM, the scheduled start time for the parades. Take advantage of the day to visit the historic center of the 'Suspended Village', with its crenellated walls and medieval alleys made of peperino stone.
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Where does it take place — Vitorchiano Carnival
Centro storico e località Pallone
Piazza Umberto I, 01030 Vitorchiano