Carnival Party - Fontechiari Carnival

A village carnival in the heart of Ciociaria

The Carnival Party is the annual carnival celebration in the town of Fontechiari, a village of a few thousand inhabitants overlooking the Valle di Comino, in the province of Frosinone, in southern Lazio. It is not a carnival of monumental floats or a large-scale event: it is a community festival, organized every year by the volunteers of the Pro Loco Fontechiari APS, based on the idea that carnival belongs, first and foremost, to children.

The children's costume parade

The heart of the event is the costume parade: children from the village and neighboring towns march through the historic center wearing homemade or carefully chosen costumes, accompanied by their parents and grandparents. The traditional meeting point is Piazza G. Marconi, the main square of the village, which for an afternoon fills with colors, confetti, and streamers.

Participation is open via free registration on the Pro Loco website: individual children or groups in costume can register by providing the child's name, age, and a parent's contact details. Registration for the 2026 edition opened in late January, following the tradition of recent years.

What to expect in the square

• Costume parade for children and groups through the streets of the center
• Entertainment and music provided by Pro Loco volunteers
• Confetti, streamers, and the classic carnival battle
• Traditional sweets of the season, from frappe to castagnole
• Games and dancing for the little ones at the end of the parade

Fontechiari and the Valle di Comino

Fontechiari, formerly known as Schiavi d'Aquino, retains its medieval layout and is located in one of the greenest areas of Lazio, between the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise and the mountains of the Valle di Comino. It is a territory where popular festivals still mark the year: from the February carnival to the Summer in Fontechiari, and the Fontechiari Fun Festival in July, all promoted by the local Pro Loco, which has been active since 1986 in the tourism, cultural, and social development of the village.

An event designed for families

The Carnival Party is free and takes place in the early afternoon in an intimate and safe setting, making it suitable even for the youngest children. For those visiting the Ciociaria region in winter, it is an authentic opportunity to connect with the life of a small Lazio village, far from the most crowded tourist circuits.

When it takes place

The event is traditionally held during the carnival season, between late February and early March, usually on a Saturday afternoon. In 2025, the parade took place on Saturday, March 1st, starting at 3:00 PM in Piazza G. Marconi. For the 2026 edition, the Pro Loco opened registration on January 30th, without publicly announcing the exact date of the parade on its website: it is always advisable to check the association's official channels before traveling.