Castelplanio Carnival Festival
Edition 2026 Street arts Heritage Folk traditions

Castelplanio Carnival Festival

The carnival of the town of kite makers, with masks, joy, and paper hot air balloons

Castelplanio — Ancona (042)
Dates 14 Feb — 17 Feb 2026
Location Castelplanio (042)
Prices Free
Status Finished

About Castelplanio Carnival

Every February, Castelplanio, a small village in the Vallesina valley near Ancona, dresses up for its Carnival. Organized by the Pro Loco, the event brings masks, confetti, traditional sweets, and entertainment for all ages to the historic center. A popular and free event that blends carnival fun with the identity of the village, famous in the Marche region as "the town of kite makers" for the ancient art of paper hot air balloons.

The Carnival of Castelplanio

When February arrives, the village of Castelplanio, overlooking the Vallesina valley near Ancona, lights up for its Carnival. The Carnival Festival is one of the most cherished events in the local calendar, organized traditionally by the Pro Loco Castelplanio with the support of the Municipality. For a few days, the streets and squares of the village fill with masks, confetti, music, and joy, in a festive atmosphere that involves entire families and local associations.

A Village Festival, Popular and Free

The Castelplanio Carnival maintains the authentic spirit of Marche village festivals: no large stages, but lots of spontaneous participation. Children and adults parade in costume, traditional sweets of the season are distributed, and entertainment enlivens the historic center. Admission is free and open to all, in line with the Pro Loco's commitment to keeping the village's social life alive through accessible events.

The Town of Kite Makers

Castelplanio is known throughout the Marche region as "the town of kite makers": here, the art of paper hot air balloons has been passed down for generations. These are artisanal balloons made with tissue paper according to ancient designs. A tradition that began in the early twentieth century and is still cherished today by a few enthusiasts, who often return to color the village sky during community celebrations. It is this connection to memory and popular creativity that makes every Castelplanio event special, including the Carnival.

A Rich Calendar All Year Round

The Carnival Festival is part of a busy calendar of events organized by the Pro Loco of Castelplanio, from the patronal feast of San Giuseppe to the famous Crescia sul Panaro Festival in July. The Carnival ideally opens the festival season, offering visitors the chance to discover an authentic village in the Ancona hinterland during the most colorful time of the year.

Castelplanio Carnival — edition 2026

The 2026 Castelplanio Carnival Festival has been confirmed by the Pro Loco with the official announcement of the event in early February 2026. The festival brought the typical carnival cheer to the historic center of the Ancona village, with masks, entertainment, and traditional sweets, in a festive atmosphere designed for families and children.

The 2026 Carnival Festival of Castelplanio was announced by the Pro Loco Castelplanio with the official publication of the event at the beginning of February 2026. The festival took place in the heart of the village, in the province of Ancona, reviving the popular and family-friendly spirit of Castelplanio's celebrations.

The official communication was mainly entrusted to the poster distributed by the Pro Loco and on social media channels: the detailed program, with times and activities, was not published online in full. The usual elements of a village festival remain – masks, confetti, entertainment for children, and free admission – which have always characterized the Carnival in this corner of the Vallesina valley.

Programme Castelplanio Carnival 2026

The detailed program for the 2026 edition was not published online in full: the Pro Loco Castelplanio announced the event primarily through posters and social media. The festival maintained the traditional structure of a village Carnival, with masks, entertainment, and activities for children in the historic center.

Highlights Castelplanio Carnival 2026

The popular atmosphere of the Castelplanio Carnival, with masks and family entertainment in the historic center of the town of kite makers.

Prices Castelplanio Carnival 2026

<p>Free admission.</p>

Practical information — Castelplanio Carnival

Where

Historic center of Castelplanio (AN), in the Vallesina valley, province of Ancona, Marche region. Pro Loco headquarters at Via Guglielmo Marconi 1.

How to get here

By car: take the A14 highway, exit at Ancona Nord, then take the SS76 Val d'Esino towards Fabriano until the exit for Castelplanio. By train: Castelplanio-Cupramontana station is on the Rome-Ancona line (Orte-Falconara), a few minutes from the center.

Admission

Free event, open to everyone.

Information

Pro Loco Castelplanio — [email protected], www.procastelplanio.it and official social media channels.

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Where does it take place — Castelplanio Carnival

Centro storico di Castelplanio

Via Guglielmo Marconi 1, 60031 Castelplanio

Contact Castelplanio Carnival

Castelplanio Carnival in brief

Street arts Heritage Folk traditions Folklore Family Children Outdoor Free Ancona

History of Castelplanio Carnival