Castelverde Carnival
Float parades and masked groups in the Castelverde district, East Rome
About Castelverde Carnival
A neighborhood carnival that has become a Roman tradition
The Castelverde Carnival is one of the most popular carnival events in the eastern suburbs of Rome, within the Municipio VI delle Torri area in Lazio. Originally created as a neighborhood festival to provide a social space in an urban area lacking large public recreational venues, it has grown over the years to involve thousands of people from Castelverde, Lunghezza, Lunghezzina, and neighboring areas. In 2026, the event reached its 22nd edition.
Who organizes it
The heart of the event is the Associazione Culturale Castellaccio, based on Via Picciano in the Castelverde district, which also publishes the local magazine "Il Castellaccio." The Carnival is their flagship initiative, realized through the collaboration of other local associations, neighborhood committees, and dozens of volunteers who spend weeks building the floats. Over the years, the parade has also gained the attention of local press and television, with several reports featured on the regional TG3 news.
How the parade works
The core of the festival is the procession of allegorical floats, handcrafted around themes that touch on current events, cartoons, and neighborhood life each year. Alongside the floats are masked groups—often composed of local schoolchildren and sports clubs—accompanied by majorettes, a marching band, and street performers. The parade traditionally starts in the early afternoon, around 2:30 PM, from Via Prenestina Polense at the intersection with Via Pretoro; the procession then travels along Via Massa di San Giuliano before arriving in Piazza del Mercato.
Accompanying the parade, edition after edition, are musical groups that have become local traditions: the Mentana Majorettes Group, the Severino Gazzelloni Band from Villaggio Prenestino, the "La Caracca" Itinerant Drums with their Brazilian-inspired percussion, and the beloved Roman street band, the "La Stradabanda" Popular Orchestra of Testaccio.
The finale in Piazza del Mercato
Upon the arrival of the floats, the square becomes the center of the celebration: distribution and tasting of fried pizza and sandwiches at the food stand, along with typical Roman carnival sweets—frappe and castagnole—accompanied by mulled wine; then entertainment for children, singing, dancing, and the classic carnival lottery draw, the proceeds of which support the association's activities. It is the most anticipated moment, where the entire neighborhood gathers in one place.
An event for families
The Castelverde Carnival is designed primarily for children and families: participation is free, the route is flat and easily accessible, and activities take place in the afternoon. Visitors from outside the neighborhood will find a genuinely popular atmosphere, far from the large tourist carnivals but no less lively.
- Parade of allegorical floats built by neighborhood volunteers
- Masked groups, majorettes, marching band, and street performers
- Tasting of fried pizza and typical carnival sweets
- Entertainment and games for children
- Carnival lottery draw
Castelverde and Municipio VI
Castelverde is a residential district in eastern Rome, along the Via Prenestina axis, a few kilometers from the castle of Lunghezza and the Aniene valley. Its identity has been built over time around community life: neighborhood committees, parishes, and sports clubs. Today, the Carnival is the moment when this network shows its best, and for many residents, it represents the true village festival within the big city.
Castelverde Carnival — edition 2026
22nd edition, February 8 and 15, 2026
In 2026, the Castelverde Carnival celebrated its twenty-second edition, spread over two Sundays in February: Sunday, February 8 and Sunday, February 15, 2026. The dates were confirmed directly by the Associazione Culturale Castellaccio, which subsequently published official photo galleries of both days on its website.
The two days
As per tradition, the festival unfolded in the afternoon with the procession of allegorical floats and masked groups along the neighborhood streets, accompanied by music and entertainment, concluding in the Piazza del Mercato area with tastings, children's games, and the carnival lottery draw.
A neighborhood in celebration
Once again this year, the event confirmed its entirely popular and free nature: floats built by volunteers, local schools and sports associations in the parade, and families from the Municipio VI delle Torri and the neighboring districts of Lunghezza and Lunghezzina gathered along the route.
Programme Castelverde Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 8, 2026
- Afternoon: first parade of allegorical floats and masked groups through the streets of the Castelverde district, with music and entertainment
- Arrival of the procession in the Piazza del Mercato area, tastings, and children's games
Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Afternoon: grand finale with the second parade of floats and masked groups, departing from the Via Prenestina Polense area
- Conclusion in Piazza del Mercato with tasting of fried pizza, entertainment, and the carnival lottery draw
The traditional structure of the event
In documented editions, the Castelverde Carnival follows this structure, which was also confirmed for 2026:
- procession departure around 2:30 PM from Via Prenestina Polense, at the corner with Via Pretoro;
- route along Via Massa di San Giuliano to Piazza del Mercato;
- musical accompaniment provided by the Mentana Majorettes Group, the Severino Gazzelloni Band from Villaggio Prenestino, the "La Caracca" Itinerant Drums, and the "La Stradabanda" Popular Orchestra of Testaccio;
- in the square: food stand with fried pizza, sandwiches, frappe, castagnole, and mulled wine;
- entertainment, singing, and dancing, with the participation of local dance schools and folk groups;
- lottery draw at the end of the day.
Some editions have hosted side events in the morning, such as a blood donation day in Piazza del Mercato or a vintage car rally. Exact departure times are communicated by the Associazione Culturale Castellaccio in the days prior.
Highlights Castelverde Carnival 2026
- 22nd edition of the event
- Two Sundays of parades instead of just one day
- Allegorical floats handcrafted by neighborhood volunteers
- Masked groups, Mentana Majorettes, Severino Gazzelloni Band, and "La Caracca" Itinerant Drums
- Route from Via Prenestina Polense to Piazza del Mercato along Via Massa di San Giuliano
- Food stand with fried pizza, frappe, castagnole, and mulled wine
- Carnival lottery draw in Piazza del Mercato
- Free event, suitable for families with children
Prices Castelverde Carnival 2026
Practical information — Castelverde Carnival
Where
Castelverde district, East Rome (Municipio VI delle Torri). Parade starts from Via Prenestina Polense; arrival in Piazza del Mercato.
How to get there
By car: Via Prenestina or Via Prenestina Polense, exit the Grande Raccordo Anulare towards Lunghezza/Castelverde. By train: Lunghezza FL2 station (Rome Tiburtina—Tivoli line), then local bus or a short drive. Local Atac buses serve the Via Prenestina area.
Admission
Free participation. The carnival lottery involves the optional purchase of tickets to support the association's activities.
Contacts
Associazione Culturale Castellaccio, Via Picciano 24/A, 00132 Rome — tel. +39 331 8073583 / +39 333 5239415 — [email protected]
Tips
Arrive well before the parade start time: the streets along the route are closed to traffic and nearby parking fills up quickly.
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Where does it take place — Castelverde Carnival
Quartiere Castelverde — Piazza del Mercato
Via Prenestina Polense, 00132 Roma