Collesano Carnival — Peppe 'Nnappa Competition
The Madonie Carnival: masks, dance halls, and the Peppe 'Nnappa Competition
About Collesano Carnival
The Collesano Carnival
Perched on the slopes of the Madonie mountains in the province of Palermo, the village of Collesano preserves one of Sicily's most distinctive Carnival traditions. Here, the festivities do not revolve around large allegorical floats, but rather around a unique tradition: the dance halls. During the Carnival days, private homes and local venues in the historic center are prepared and decorated by the residents themselves, turning them into gathering spots for dancing, games, and revelry until the early hours. It is an intimate, popular Carnival that involves the entire community of Collesano.
The Peppe 'Nnappa Competition
The beating heart of the event is the Peppe 'Nnappa Competition, established in 1983 and reaching its 41st edition in 2026. The competition rewards the best masks crafted from papier-mâché by local artisans and groups, as well as the most beautiful and well-decorated dance halls. Peppe 'Nnappa, a traditional Sicilian folk mask, lends his name to the competition and serves as a symbol of the Carnival's irony and mocking spirit. Over the years, the contest has added new awards and recognitions, becoming a highly anticipated event for thousands of participants and spectators from all over Sicily.
A Six-Day Program
The festivities unfold over several evenings across the town's main squares — Piazza Zubbio, Piazza Mazzini, and Piazza Quattro Cannoli — featuring ballroom dancing competitions, Latin-Caribbean nights, live music, DJ sets, traveling traditional dances, and activities for children. The grand finale takes place on Shrove Tuesday, with the parade of competing masks, the judging of the dance halls, and the long-awaited Peppe 'Nnappa Competition awards ceremony, which traditionally takes place at dawn in Piazza Zubbio.
Dance Halls and the Controdanza
The true soul of the Collesano Carnival lies in the dance halls: private or neighborhood spaces that residents open to the public, decorating them with care and hosting dances and small performances. The friendly rivalry between the different halls, accompanied by the traditional controdanza, is one of the elements that makes this Carnival unique in the Sicilian landscape, setting it apart from the island's more famous events.
A Traditional Appointment
Recognized as one of the historic Carnivals of the Madonie, the Collesano celebration is deeply rooted in local identity, uniting generations and keeping Sicily's popular traditions alive. For those visiting the Madonie region in winter, it offers an authentic opportunity to experience the warmth and creativity of a community that treats celebration as a collective heritage.
Collesano Carnival — edition 2026
The 2026 Collesano Carnival took place from February 12 to 17, marking the 41st edition of the Peppe 'Nnappa Competition. Six days of festivities transformed the squares of the historic center into a continuous stage, with thousands of citizens and visitors in attendance and great appreciation for the quality of the halls and masks in competition.
The program opened on Thursday, February 12, with the ballroom dancing competition in Piazza Zubbio, continuing over the weekend with musical evenings like "Radio 'Nnappa Live" in Piazza Mazzini and "Tutti sotto il tendone" in Piazza Quattro Cannoli. Sunday, February 15, was dedicated to children with "Bimbi e Ragazzi in festa," the Latin-Caribbean night with Maestro Giorgio Savarino, and the "Best Hall" competition. On Monday, February 16, the traditional traveling traditional dance moved through the town.
The grand finale on Shrove Tuesday, February 17, featured the 41st Peppe 'Nnappa Competition in Piazza Zubbio, followed by musical evenings and the "Big Reunion" in Piazza Quattro Cannoli, culminating in the awards ceremony at dawn (4:30 AM), which concluded a highly successful edition.
Programme Collesano Carnival 2026
- Thursday, February 12 — 10:00 PM, Piazza Zubbio: Ballroom Dancing Competition
- Saturday, February 14 — 10:00 PM, Piazza Mazzini: "Radio 'Nnappa Live"; 10:30 PM, Piazza Quattro Cannoli: "Tutti sotto il tendone"
- Sunday, February 15 — 4:30 PM: "Bimbi e Ragazzi in festa"; 9:30 PM, Piazza Quattro Cannoli: Latin-Caribbean night with Maestro Giorgio Savarino; 10:00 PM, Piazza Mazzini: "Radio 'Nnappa Live"; 10:00 PM: "Best Hall" competition
- Monday, February 16 — 9:30 PM: Traveling traditional dance
- Tuesday, February 17 (Shrove Tuesday) — 9:00 PM, Piazza Zubbio: 41st Peppe 'Nnappa Competition; 10:00 PM, Piazza Mazzini: "Radio 'Nnappa Live"; 10:00 PM, Piazza Quattro Cannoli: "Tutti sotto il tendone – Big Reunion"; 4:30 AM, Piazza Zubbio: 41st Peppe 'Nnappa Competition awards ceremony
Highlights Collesano Carnival 2026
- 41st edition of the Peppe 'Nnappa Competition
- Six days of events across the historic center squares
- Ballroom dancing, Latin-Caribbean nights, and traveling traditional dance
- "Best Hall" competition and dawn awards ceremony on Shrove Tuesday
- Crowded squares and high turnout from all over Sicily
Prices Collesano Carnival 2026
Practical information — Collesano Carnival
Getting there
Collesano is located in the Madonie Park, in the province of Palermo. By car, it can be reached via the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway (Buonfornello exit) or the A20 Palermo-Messina motorway (Campofelice di Roccella-Lascari exit), then following provincial roads inland. The nearest train station is Campofelice di Roccella-Collesano on the Palermo-Messina line, from where you can continue by car or local bus.
When
The event takes place during the Carnival period, between February and March depending on the year. Events are concentrated in the squares of the historic center, particularly during the evening and night hours.
Admission
Events in the squares are free and open to the public. We recommend wearing clothing suitable for the winter temperatures of the Madonie mountains.
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 — Collesano Carnival
Centro storico (Piazza Zubbio, Piazza Mazzini, Piazza Quattro Cannoli)