The carnival of the town of kite makers, with masks, joy, and paper hot air balloons
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The popular atmosphere of the Castelplanio Carnival, with masks and family entertainment in the historic center of the town of kite makers.
Historic center of Castelplanio (AN), in the Vallesina valley, province of Ancona, Marche region. Pro Loco headquarters at Via Guglielmo Marconi 1.
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.
Free event, open to everyone.
Pro Loco Castelplanio — [email protected], www.procastelplanio.it and official social media channels.
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Centro storico di Castelplanio
Via Guglielmo Marconi 1, 60031 Castelplanio