Children's Carnival

A village tradition that has endured for generations

The Children's Carnival is one of the most beloved events in Castel Bolognese, a town in the province of Ravenna on the Via Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna. It is a festival tailor-made for the little ones: an afternoon when the streets of the centre fill with costumes, smiles, and music, involving children, schools, and local associations.

The modern event began in the early eighties, initiated by the Parish of San Petronio and the "San Giuseppe" Nursery School, and it has its roots in an even older carnival tradition in Castel Bolognese: as early as the 1960s, figures like Tino Biancini and Giovanni "Cavurì" Scardovi involved young people in building papier-mâché floats. For over a quarter of a century, the Children's Carnival has been a firm fixture on the local calendar.

The parade and the party in the square

The heart of the day is the grand masked parade, which starts from the National Monument to the Fallen along Via Papa Giovanni XXIII and winds through the town streets to Piazza Bernardi, accompanied by the "Come Eravamo Band" brass band. Along the route, there will also be a stop at the Camerini residential home to greet the elderly residents: a gesture that reflects the community spirit of the event.

In the square, the celebration continues with music, games, balloons, creative workshops, and snacks offered to registered children, culminating in the awards ceremony for the participating costumes and schools.

Schools take centre stage

The event involves all the local schools: from the Arcobaleno nursery to the Camerini, Tassinari, and San Giuseppe kindergartens, and the Carlo Bassi and Alessandro Ginnasi primary schools. Every participant receives a small token of appreciation, and the participating schools receive vouchers to be spent at local stationery shops.

Organised by

The Children's Carnival is organised by the Municipality of Castel Bolognese, the Parents' Association, and the Pro Loco, who have been collaborating since 2016 to keep this tradition alive. Participation is completely free. In case of bad weather, the event will be cancelled or postponed.