Cerveteri and Cerenova Carnival
Edition 2026 Theater Street arts Folk traditions

Cerveteri and Cerenova Carnival

Floats, music, and confetti between Cerenova and the center of Cerveteri

Cerveteri — Roma (258)
Dates 14 Feb — 17 Feb 2026
Location Cerveteri (258)
Prices Free
Status Finished

About Cerveteri Carnival

Every February, the Carnival brings color to the streets of Cerveteri and its coastal district, Cerenova, in the heart of the Lazio Etruscan region. Organized by the Pro Loco delle Due Casette, the event features parades of allegorical floats, music, confetti, and special effects, with the participation of schools, local neighborhoods, and over a thousand masked children. It is a popular celebration that unites two communities on the Roman coast for a weekend of joy, color, and carnival tradition.

The Cerveteri and Cerenova Carnival

In the municipality of Cerveteri, located in the province of Rome and in the heart of the ancient Lazio Etruscan region, the Carnival is one of the most anticipated winter events. The festival is split between the coastal district of Cerenova and the town center, involving thousands of people, families, and school groups in a weekend of parades, music, and cheer. The event is organized by the Pro Loco delle Due Casette, which builds the allegorical floats every year in collaboration with local neighborhoods and associations.

Parades between Cerenova and the historic center

The heart of the Carnival is the grand parade of allegorical floats, which travels through the city streets accompanied by music, confetti, and special effects. Colorful masks, costumed groups, and choreography bring the procession to life, while local schools participate with great enthusiasm: over the years, the parades have involved more than a thousand masked children and several schools from the coast. It is a deeply popular festival that strengthens the bond between the two souls of the municipality: the seaside atmosphere of Cerenova and the medieval charm of the village of Cerveteri.

Beyond floats: theater and workshops

Alongside the parades, the Carnival program offers shows and activities for children. In the evocative Sala Ruspoli, interactive theatrical performances and creative workshops are held, giving children the chance to color and decorate their own Carnival masks. These events, promoted by the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Cerveteri, are free of charge and complete a schedule designed for the whole family.

A Carnival in the heart of the Etruscan region

Experiencing the Cerveteri Carnival also means discovering a territory rich in history: the town is famous for the Banditaccia Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an extraordinary testament to the Etruscan civilization. The Carnival adds a touch of color and lightness to a Lazio village with millennial charm, offering visitors the opportunity to combine popular tradition, local gastronomy, and walks among ancient ruins just a few kilometers from the Roman coast.

An event for the whole community

The result of the volunteer work of the Pro Loco delle Due Casette, local neighborhoods, and schools, the Cerveteri and Cerenova Carnival is much more than a simple parade: it is a moment of collective participation that involves both young and old, giving children and families the chance to come together in the streets to celebrate the most playful season of the year.

Cerveteri Carnival — edition 2026

The 2026 Cerveteri and Cerenova Carnival, now in its third edition under the care of the Pro Loco delle Due Casette, brought the coast to life with two parades of allegorical floats, music, and confetti on February 14 and 15, followed by Fat Tuesday events.

The 2026 edition of the Cerveteri and Cerenova Carnival opened on Saturday, February 14 with the parade in Cerenova, starting from the Church of San Francesco d'Assisi, and continued on Sunday, February 15 along the gardens up to Piazza Aldo Moro in the center of Cerveteri. Allegorical floats, music, confetti, and special effects accompanied the two days, with the participation of schools and hundreds of masked children.

For Fat Tuesday, the historic parade in the center of Cerveteri and the theatrical performance by the company Le Odissere in Sala Ruspoli were also scheduled: the final events were cancelled as a sign of mourning for the passing of a young fellow citizen, while the floats remained on display at Piazzale del Granarone to be admired by children and school groups.

Programme Cerveteri Carnival 2026

2026 Program

  • Saturday, February 14 — Parade in Cerenova with allegorical floats, departing from the Church of San Francesco d'Assisi.
  • Sunday, February 15 — Parade in Cerveteri along the gardens to Piazza Aldo Moro, with floats, music, confetti, and special effects.
  • Tuesday, February 17 (Fat Tuesday) — The parade in the historic center and the show "La Storia delle Storie" by the Le Odissere Teatro company in Sala Ruspoli, with a mask-making workshop for children, were scheduled; these events were cancelled due to city mourning. The floats remained on display at Piazzale del Granarone.

Highlights Cerveteri Carnival 2026

  • Two parades of allegorical floats between Cerenova and the center of Cerveteri
  • Participation of schools and hundreds of masked children
  • Music, confetti, and special effects along the route
  • Organized by the Pro Loco delle Due Casette

Prices Cerveteri Carnival 2026

Free admission to all events.

Practical information — Cerveteri Carnival

How to get there

Cerveteri and the district of Cerenova are located along the coast north of Rome. By car, they can be reached via the A12 Rome-Civitavecchia motorway (Cerveteri-Ladispoli exit). By train, the Marina di Cerveteri-Cerenova station is served by the FL5 regional line (Rome-Civitavecchia).

Admission

The Carnival parades and shows are free of charge.

Tips

This is a family-friendly event: we recommend arriving early to find a spot along the parade route and coming in costume.

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Where does it take place — Cerveteri Carnival

Cerenova e centro di Cerveteri

Cerveteri Carnival in brief

Theater Street arts Folk traditions Folklore Family Children Playful Outdoor Free Roma

History of Cerveteri Carnival