Carrara Carnival
Confetti, masks, and parades between the historic center and Marina di Carrara
About Carrara Carnival
Carnival in the City of Marble
The Carrara Carnival is not just a single float parade, but a widespread festival that brings the squares of the Municipality of Carrara, in the province of Massa-Carrara, to life for weeks in the heart of the Apuan Tuscany. Throughout February, confetti, streamers, masks, and costumes take over the historic center and the coastal district of Marina di Carrara, with a series of events designed especially for families and children.
A Festival for Children
The carnival program curated by the Municipality, in collaboration with various local associations, focuses on children. City squares—from Piazza Alberica to Piazza Duomo, and up to Piazza Gramsci—host afternoons of entertainment with characters beloved by the little ones, group dances, creative workshops, games, mascots, and face painting. On the seaside, in Marina di Carrara, the children's carnival takes place in the Piazza Ingolstadt area, thanks to the efforts of the Pro Loco and associations like Mary Poppins.
The Artistic Carnival of the Gentileschi School
The most anticipated and iconic moment is the parade of the Artistic Carnival of the "Artemisia Gentileschi" Art High School. Hundreds of masked students set off from the school's headquarters on Via Sarteschi and march through the streets of the center, gathering in Piazza Gramsci for a grand show featuring music, dance, choreography, and sets created by the classes. Each edition revolves around a different theme, from art to literature, and from sustainability to major cultural movements: an event that showcases the creativity of the art school that is a symbol of the city of marble.
Between Markets and Tradition
Alongside the parades and entertainment, the Carrara Carnival also offers moments dedicated to craftsmanship and creativity, such as the "Arti in Banco" market that accompanies the "Carnevale in Piazza" day in Piazza Gramsci. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the center of Carrara in a festive and popular atmosphere, amidst the white marble and the joy of the masks, in one of Tuscany's most distinctive cities.
Carrara Carnival — edition 2026
The 2026 Carrara Carnival took place throughout the month of February with a series of initiatives spread between the city center and the coast, promoted by the Municipality in collaboration with local associations.
Festivities dedicated to the little ones enlivened the main city squares, while in Marina di Carrara, the children's party was concentrated in the Piazza Ingolstadt area. The heart of the event was the parade of the Artistic Carnival of the "Gentileschi" high school, with hundreds of masked students marching through the streets of the center and the grand final show in Piazza Gramsci.
Programme Carrara Carnival 2026
Children's Entertainment in the City
- Saturday, February 7 — Piazza Alberica: afternoon of entertainment with children's characters, organized by the Municipality and local associations.
- Events for children in Piazza Duomo, organized by the Municipality in collaboration with the Toupie Ludo&café association.
Carnival in the Square
- Monday, February 16 — Piazza Gramsci, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM: "Carnevale in Piazza" organized by the Pro Loco of Carrara, with music, group dances, creative workshops, games, entertainment, mascots, and face painting. In the morning, the "Arti in Banco" market dedicated to creative vendors.
Artistic Carnival of the Gentileschi School
- Tuesday, February 17, from 10:00 AM — masked parade of the "Gentileschi" art high school students from the Via Sarteschi headquarters along the streets of the historic center, with traffic restrictions between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
- Grand final show in Piazza Gramsci with the Gentileschi classes performing music, dance, and themed sets.
In Marina di Carrara
- Children's Carnival in the Piazza Ingolstadt area, organized by the Pro Loco Marina mare, with events during carnival days.
- Carnival party dedicated to children organized by the Mary Poppins association, with the patronage of the Municipality and the collaboration of AMIA.
Highlights Carrara Carnival 2026
Prices Carrara Carnival 2026
Practical information — Carrara Carnival
Getting There
Carrara can be reached by car via the A12 Genoa-Livorno motorway (Carrara-Massa exit) and the A15 Cisa motorway. By train, the Carrara-Avenza station is connected to the Tyrrhenian line; from there, buses and taxis reach the historic center and Marina di Carrara.
Where It Takes Place
Events are distributed between the historic center of Carrara (Piazza Gramsci, Piazza Alberica, Piazza Duomo) and Marina di Carrara (Piazza Ingolstadt area). During peak days, parking and traffic restrictions are in effect in the streets affected by the parades.
Tips
Most events are free and family-friendly. It is advisable to arrive early on parade days and check the Municipality of Carrara's website for updated schedules and routes.
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Where does it take place — Carrara Carnival
Centro storico di Carrara e Marina di Carrara
Piazza Antonio Gramsci, 54033 Carrara