Castellano Carnival
The Carnival parade in the historic center of Castelfidardo
About Castellano Carnival
The Castellano Carnival, a festival for the whole community
The Castellano Carnival is the Carnival event of the Municipality of Castelfidardo, in the province of Ancona, in the Marche region. For one afternoon, the historic center transforms into a large open-air procession, where allegorical floats, masked groups, music, and confetti liven up streets and squares. It is a deeply popular and participatory festival, born from the shared work of numerous local associations coordinated by the Department of Culture and the Pro Loco of Castelfidardo.
A collective event created by the associations
The strength of the Castellano Carnival lies precisely in its community character: each edition sees dozens of groups take to the streets, including volunteer associations, oratories, sports clubs, clubs, and local schools. Each brings its own mask, its own choreography, and often a float or installation prepared in the preceding months. There is no single company organizing everything from above, but a network of volunteers working together "to fill the historic center with colors," as those who manage the event like to repeat.
The parade in the historic center
The heart of the day is the masked procession, which crosses the main city streets to reach Piazza della Repubblica, where entertainment and shows are concentrated. Along the route, the procession makes some stops to best showcase the choreographies and masked groups, accompanied by music and the voice of the announcer presenting the participants to the public.
Shows and activities for children
The Castelfidardo Carnival is a festival designed especially for families. Alongside the parade, there is musical entertainment provided by students from local schools, live entertainment, and magic shows in the square dedicated to the little ones. Admission is completely free; for safety reasons, the use of spray cans is not permitted.
A traditional village festival in the Marche
Like many Carnivals in the Marche region, the Castelfidardo Carnival also retains the authentic flavor of a village festival: no big national names, but the desire to be together, to dress up, and to fill the streets with joy. For those visiting the Ancona area in winter, it is an opportunity to discover a town known worldwide for its accordion tradition, also in a more playful and festive guise.
Castellano Carnival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Castellano Carnival was held on Sunday, February 15th, in the historic center of Castelfidardo, with a postponement scheduled for February 22nd in case of bad weather. The masked procession started at 2:30 PM from Piazzale ex Excelsior, via XXV Aprile, to reach Piazza della Repubblica around 3:30 PM, passing through via Donizetti, via Matteotti, and Piazzale Don Minzoni, with some stops to showcase the groups' choreographies.
Thirteen local entities participated in the edition, including I Favolosi Anni 70, the Oratorio Carlo Acutis, Atletica Amatori Avis, Azione Cattolica, Croce Verde, Moto Club Castelfidardo, and several local schools. The festival, free and coordinated by the Department of Culture and the Pro Loco, confirmed its collective spirit as an event built together by the associations of Castelfidardo.
Programme Castellano Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 15, 2026
- 2:30 PM — Start of the procession from Piazzale ex Excelsior (via XXV Aprile)
- Around 3:30 PM — Arrival of the parade in Piazza della Repubblica, via Donizetti, via Matteotti, and Piazzale Don Minzoni
- Musical entertainment and activities by Maurizio Casarola and "Gli Esperti rispondono", with music curated by students from Laeng-Meucci
- 4:30 PM — Magic show in the square for children
- 5:30 PM — Second magic show in the square for children
Thirteen groups and associations participated in the parade: I Favolosi Anni 70, Oratorio Carlo Acutis, Atletica Amatori Avis, Azione Cattolica, Croce Verde, Moto Club Castelfidardo, and several local schools.
In case of bad weather, the event is postponed to Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Highlights Castellano Carnival 2026
- Parade of allegorical floats and masked groups in the historic center
- Thirteen participating associations and groups
- Magic shows in the square for children (4:30 PM and 5:30 PM)
- Musical entertainment by students from Laeng-Meucci
Prices Castellano Carnival 2026
Practical information — Castellano Carnival
Where
Historic center of Castelfidardo (AN), Marche. The parade starts from Piazzale ex Excelsior, in via XXV Aprile, and reaches Piazza della Repubblica passing through via Donizetti, via Matteotti, and Piazzale Don Minzoni.
When
One Sunday afternoon in February, with the procession starting in the early afternoon. In case of bad weather, the event is postponed to the following Sunday.
Admission
Free. The use of spray cans is not permitted.
How to get there
By car: Castelfidardo is reachable from the Loreto-Porto Recanati exit of the A14, a few kilometers from the center. By train: Osimo-Castelfidardo station, connected by bus to the city center.
Organization
Department of Culture of the Municipality of Castelfidardo and Pro Loco, with the collaboration of local associations.
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Where does it take place — Castellano Carnival
Centro storico di Castelfidardo