Children's Carnival of San Carlo
Edition 2026 Street arts Folk traditions Folklore

Children's Carnival of San Carlo

The masked spring festival in the heart of San Carlo, Terre del Reno

Terre del Reno — Ferrara (038)
Dates 12 Apr — 12 Apr 2026
Location Terre del Reno (038)
Prices Free
Status Finished

About Children's Carnival

In the hamlet of San Carlo, Terre del Reno (province of Ferrara), the Children's Carnival is one of the most anticipated spring events. An afternoon of colors, music, costumes, and fun for the whole family in Piazza A. Pola, with a grand costume parade, workshops, dancing, games, and the famous 'Most Beautiful Mask' contest. Organized by Pro Loco San Carlo, it has become a staple of the local calendar, attracting families from all over the Ferrara area.

A Spring Festival That Colors San Carlo

In Piazza A. Pola in San Carlo, a hamlet of the Municipality of Terre del Reno in the province of Ferrara, the Children's Carnival has become a fixture of the spring calendar over the years. As part of the broader Spring Festival, the event transforms the town center into an explosion of colors, music, and costumes: an afternoon designed for families, children, and people of all ages.

The Heart of the Festival: The Parade and the 'Most Beautiful Mask' Contest

The highlight is the grand costume parade that winds through the square, accompanied by music and entertainment. During the procession, a jury judges participants for the 'Most Beautiful Mask' contest, open to individuals and groups of all ages. There are multiple categories: children (0-7 years), youths (8-14 years), adults (15 years and up), as well as couples, groups, and families. Costumes can be imaginative, imitative, or humorous, while respecting decorum; the jury favors handmade outfits and rewards originality, makeup, and overall scenic effect. Numerous prizes are up for grabs for the winners in each category.

Workshops, Games, and Refreshments

In addition to the parade, the afternoon is enlivened by creative workshops, dancing, games, and entertainment designed especially for the little ones. The gastronomic refreshment point remains open until the evening, allowing the celebration to continue together even after the awards ceremony. The event is organized by Pro Loco San Carlo APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Terre del Reno and the collaboration of various local associations.

San Carlo and the Terre del Reno Area

Terre del Reno is a municipality in the Upper Ferrara region, born from the merger of several centers in the Po Valley. San Carlo is one of its most vibrant hamlets in terms of community activities. Events like the Children's Carnival, along with other Pro Loco initiatives throughout the year, reflect the identity of a community that makes participation and hospitality its distinctive traits. It's a simple and authentic opportunity to discover the village life in this corner of Emilia-Romagna.

Who is it for

  • Families with children looking for a day in costume
  • Fans of carnival and traditional Emilia-Romagna folk customs
  • Those who want to experience the authentic atmosphere of a Ferrara village festival

Children's Carnival — edition 2026

The 2026 edition of the Children's Carnival was held on Sunday, April 12, in Piazza A. Pola in San Carlo, as part of the Spring Festival organized by Pro Loco San Carlo. From 2:30 PM, the town center came alive with the grand costume parade, the 'Most Beautiful Mask' contest, workshops, dancing, games, and a refreshment point until the evening.

The 2026 edition of the Children's Carnival of San Carlo (Terre del Reno) took place on Sunday, April 12, 2026, starting at 2:30 PM in Piazza A. Pola, as part of the Spring Festival by Pro Loco San Carlo. In case of bad weather, it was postponed to Sunday, April 19.

The afternoon featured the grand costume parade, the 'Most Beautiful Mask' contest, workshops, dancing, games, and entertainment for the whole family, with the gastronomic refreshment point open until the evening. The councilor of the Municipality of Terre del Reno described the event as 'an occasion capable of attracting families from all over the region'.

Programme Children's Carnival 2026

Sunday, April 12, 2026 — from 2:30 PM, Piazza A. Pola

  • From 2:30 PM — Festival opening with music, games, and entertainment for children and families
  • Creative workshops and dancing in the square
  • Grand costume parade through the town center
  • 'Most Beautiful Mask' contest with jury — categories for children (0-7), youths (8-14), adults (15+), couples, groups, and families; prizes for winners
  • Gastronomic refreshment point open until the evening

In case of bad weather, the event is postponed to Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Highlights Children's Carnival 2026

The grand costume parade and the 'Most Beautiful Mask' contest, with prizes for all age categories and for groups and families.

Prices Children's Carnival 2026

Free participation. For the 'Most Beautiful Mask' contest, mandatory registration via email to [email protected] by Friday, April 10, 2026 (3:00 PM).

Practical information — Children's Carnival

Where and When

The Children's Carnival takes place in Piazza A. Pola, in the center of San Carlo, a hamlet of Terre del Reno (FE). The event starts in the afternoon, around 2:30 PM; in case of bad weather, the festival is postponed to the following Sunday.

How to Get There

San Carlo is easily reachable by car from the state road that crosses Terre del Reno, a short distance from Ferrara and the main junctions of the Upper Ferrara area. Parking is available near the town center.

Admission and Registration

Participation in the festival is free. For the 'Most Beautiful Mask' contest, registration via email ([email protected]) is required, generally by the Friday before the event.

Contacts

Pro Loco San Carlo APS — Via Statale 101, 44047 San Carlo (Terre del Reno, FE). Tel. +39 349 6345225 — [email protected]

Festival-goer photos

No photos yet. Share yours!

Share your photos

5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)

Noticed an error or missing information?

Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.

Festival-goer reviews

No rating yet — be the first!

No comments yet. Be the first!

Were you there?

Share your experience with the community.

Where does it take place — Children's Carnival

Piazza A. Pola, San Carlo

Piazza A. Pola, 44047 Terre del Reno

Contact Children's Carnival

Tel
+39 349 6345225

Children's Carnival in brief

Street arts Folk traditions Folklore Family Children Playful Outdoor Free Ferrara

History of Children's Carnival