Castelvetere Carnival

A historic carnival in the heart of Irpinia

The Castelvetere Carnival is one of the oldest and most beloved events in Campania. It takes place in the municipality of Castelvetere sul Calore, a village of just over a thousand inhabitants perched in the mountains of the Province of Avellino, in the heart of Irpinia. For a few winter days, the town transforms: the narrow streets of the historic center, Corso Umberto I, and Piazza Monumento fill with papier-mâché floats, confetti, marching bands, and thousands of visitors from across the region.

The event has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of the Campania region and is included in the list of Italy's historical carnivals: a dual recognition that testifies to how deeply rooted this festival is in the identity of the local community.

The origins: since 1683, the challenge between castle and plain

The tradition dates back to 1683, when the carnival began as a playful rivalry between the artisans of the castle district and those of the plain district. The two sides of the town competed with costumes, songs, and improvised floats. That good-natured rivalry has never faded: even today, the groups working on the floats prepare for months in sheds and garages, building large papier-mâché structures that are only revealed on the day of the first parade.

Alongside the centuries-old tradition, the modern carnival counts its editions continuously: 2020 marked the fiftieth, while 2026 celebrated the 56th edition.

Allegorical floats and costumed groups

The heart of the festival is the parades, which repeat several times throughout the event. The allegorical floats, built entirely by hand, address current events with a satirical tone and are accompanied by costumed groups and live dance choreographies performed along the route. Folk music plays a central role: the Montemaranese tarantella, a hallmark of the Irpinian carnival, draws the public into collective dances that continue until evening.

• Papier-mâché floats created by the town's districts and associations
• Costumed groups with performers, costumes, and choreography
• Itinerant bands and folk groups through the village streets
• Carnival Museum featuring sketches and masks from past editions

The Testament of the Dead Carnival

The closing is entrusted to the ritual of the Testament of the Dead Carnival, the most anticipated and theatrical moment of the entire event. The Carnival puppet is put on trial and its will read in public: a text in dialect that ironically reviews the year's events and local figures. Immediately after, the Carnival Lottery is drawn, which officially concludes the festival.

Flavors of Irpinia

Throughout the event, the historic center hosts food stalls with typical Irpinian products: local cured meats and cheeses, traditional peasant dishes, and carnival sweets like chiacchiere and sanguinaccio. Castelvetere sul Calore is located in one of Italy's most prestigious wine-growing areas, just a few kilometers from the lands of Taurasi DOCG, Fiano di Avellino, and Greco di Tufo: it is the perfect opportunity to pair the festival with a winery tasting.

A carnival for families

An important part of the program is reserved for children. The Children's Carnival opens the event with shows, entertainment, games, and workshops in Piazza Monumento, while the Smile Train takes costumed children through the town. Admission to all parades and entertainment is free, making the Castelvetere Carnival an ideal destination for a family outing.

The village of Castelvetere sul Calore

Beyond the festival, the town is worth a visit: the historic center preserves its medieval layout with the remains of the Lombard castle, stone alleys, and views over the Calore river valley. Its location, about 30 kilometers from Avellino and an hour and a half from Naples, makes it a convenient stop for those wanting to discover authentic Irpinia, away from the more crowded tourist circuits of Campania.