Castelfiorentino Carnival
The traveling masquerade parade in the heart of the Valdelsa
About Castellese Carnival
The Castelfiorentino Carnival
In the heart of the Valdelsa, the Castelfiorentino Carnival (also known as the Castellese Carnival) is one of the most anticipated winter events for local families. Rather than a parade of monumental floats like those in Viareggio or Putignano, this is a child-friendly traveling masquerade parade that turns the lower historic center of this town in the Province of Florence, Tuscany, into a route animated by characters, gags, and games.
How the parade works
Every year, the procession sets off from Piazza Kennedy and travels through the main streets and squares of the natural shopping district, with stops at multiple interactive stations along the way. The route includes Via Bovio, Via Volontari del Sangue, Piazza Cavour, Via Testaferrata (in front of the Be.Go. Museum), and Corso Matteotti, before concluding in Piazza Gramsci.
At each station, participants enjoy short performances and whimsical pairings of characters from fairy tales, fantasy, and cinema. The festival always concludes with a collective team game and the traditional confetti battle, which, by custom, marks the end of the festivities.
A community event
The Castellese Carnival is deeply rooted in the local community. The organization is the result of the joint efforts of numerous volunteer groups in Castelfiorentino, including Amici di Castello, Prociv Arci, Avis, Fratres, Auser, the Unicoop social section, and the CCN Tre Piazze association, with the patronage of the Municipality. This choral dimension is what gives the event its genuine and popular character.
Why attend
- Completely free admission, open to everyone.
- An event designed for children and families, with games and entertainment along the route.
- A chance to discover the historic center of Castelfiorentino, a village in the Florentine Valdelsa.
- A festive and traditional atmosphere, far from the crowds of the major carnivals.
If you are in Tuscany during the Carnival season, the Castelfiorentino parade is the perfect opportunity to experience an authentic celebration, connecting with the local community and immersing yourself in the popular traditions of the Valdelsa.
Castellese Carnival — edition 2026
For the 2026 edition, the Castelfiorentino Carnival chose the theme "At Carnival… every magic counts!". Dozens of fantasy characters, due to some spells that did not go as planned, found themselves catapulted into contexts quite different from their original stories, giving life to a series of gags and bizarre pairings. The traveling parade crossed the streets and squares of the lower historic center, confirming the popular and free formula loved by families in the Valdelsa.
Programme Castellese Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 22, 2026
- 3:00 PM — Meeting and start of the masquerade parade from Piazza Kennedy.
The procession made stops at four interactive stations:
- Via Bovio / Via Volontari del Sangue (the Vase)
- Piazza Cavour
- Via Testaferrata (in front of the Be.Go. Museum)
- Piazza Gramsci
At each station, participants witnessed extravagant pairings between characters from fairy tales and fantasy cinema: Merlin the Wizard and Madam Mim together with Pinocchio, King Arthur with an unlikely magician, Harry Potter with Geppetto, from the Caterpillar to Cinderella.
Grand finale in Piazza Gramsci
The arrival in Piazza Gramsci featured a magical reinterpretation of Quidditch (the famous sport from the Harry Potter world), with small inconveniences and "mishaps along the way." At the end of the game, the traditional confetti battle marked the conclusion of the festival.
Highlights Castellese Carnival 2026
- 2026 Theme: "At Carnival… every magic counts!" with fantasy characters victims of spells.
- Extravagant pairings between Merlin, Harry Potter, King Arthur, Pinocchio, and Cinderella.
- Collective Quidditch game in a magical version in Piazza Gramsci.
- Grand finale with the confetti battle.
Prices Castellese Carnival 2026
Practical information — Castellese Carnival
How to get there
Castelfiorentino is located in the Valdelsa, in the Province of Florence. By car, it can be reached via the SR429 Empoli-Castelfiorentino-Poggibonsi road. By train, the Castelfiorentino station is on the Empoli-Siena line, just a few minutes' walk from the historic center where the parade takes place.
When and where
The parade takes place on a Sunday afternoon during the Carnival season, starting at 3:00 PM from Piazza Kennedy and arriving at Piazza Gramsci.
Admission
Participation is free. In case of bad weather, the event is postponed to the following Sunday with the same program.
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Where does it take place — Castellese Carnival
Centro storico di Castelfiorentino
Piazza Kennedy, 50051 Castelfiorentino