Comacchio Carnival on the Water
Allegorical boats parade on the canals of the historic center, the only Carnival in Italy on the water
About Carnival on the Water
The Only Carnival in Italy on the Water
The Comacchio Carnival on the Water is a unique event: instead of parading through the streets, masks and floats glide on the water, along the network of canals that crosses the historic center of the so-called "little Venice" of the Po Delta. Promoted by the Municipality of Comacchio, in the province of Ferrara, the event takes place over two Sundays in February and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Italy each year.
Allegorical Boats, Floating Works of Art
The heart of the festival is the allegorical boats: vessels transformed by volunteer associations into real floating sets, each with its own theme and thousands of hours of work behind it. Gliding on the waters of the historic center, between the famous Trepponti bridge and the village canals, they fill the approximately 1,300 participants, including children, teenagers, and adults, with joy as they animate the parade along with the Dance Schools and Masked Groups.
A Day-Long Program
The festival begins in the morning in Piazzetta Trepponti with the masked parade of children from nurseries, kindergartens, and the Comprehensive Institute, followed by the award ceremony for the groups parading on the stage in Via XX Settembre. In the early afternoon, the crews and themes of the boats are presented, and from 2:00 PM, the grand water parade begins. The day concludes with performances by the dance schools and, on the second Sunday, with the proclamation of the Winning Boat, awarded the Forcola, the symbol of the Comacchio Carnival.
La Baia dei Pirati for the Little Ones
Designed especially for children, the La Baia dei Pirati area comes to life in Via Cavour in the afternoon: boat rides on the canals, games, face painting, balloons, provided snacks, and soap bubble shows with Alekos, the Bubble Poet. Completing the atmosphere are the puppet theater, the Forcolina mascot, the funfair, markets, and refreshment stands distributed throughout the historic center.
Comacchio, the City of Canals
The setting is one of the most evocative in Emilia-Romagna: the historic center of Comacchio, with its bridges, colorful houses, and the canals of the Po Delta, serves as a natural stage for a popular festival that combines tradition, spectacle, and local identity. There is also a highly anticipated summer night edition in June, with illuminated boats parading at sunset.
Carnival on the Water — edition 2026
The Comacchio Carnival on the Water 2026, in its 13th edition, took place on Sundays, February 8th and 15th, in the historic center of the city. The stars were 11 allegorical boats created by volunteer associations, each with its own theme, which paraded on the canals involving about 1,300 participants, including children, teenagers, and adults.
The festival, which attracted over 10,000 visitors, enlivened Piazzetta Trepponti, Via XX Settembre, Via Cavour, and Via Zappata with parades, award ceremonies for the groups, performances by dance schools, and the children's area, La Baia dei Pirati. On the second day, the Winning Boat was proclaimed and awarded the Forcola.
Programme Carnival on the Water 2026
Program (February 8 and 15, 2026)
- 10:30 AM — Piazzetta Trepponti: Masked parade of children from nurseries, kindergartens, parishes, and the Comprehensive Institute through the historic center streets.
- 11:00 AM — Via XX Settembre (stage): Award ceremony for the parading groups.
- 1:15 PM — Piazzetta Trepponti: Presentation of the crews and themes of the allegorical boats.
- 2:00 PM: Start of the parade of allegorical boats, dance schools, and masked groups on the canals.
- 2:30 PM — Via Cavour: Opening of La Baia dei Pirati, with boat rides, games, face painting, balloons, snacks, and soap bubble shows with Alekos.
- 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM — Via Zappata: Puppet theater.
- 4:30 PM — Piazzetta Trepponti: Dance performances and choreographies by local schools.
- 6:00 PM (February 15 only) — Piazzetta Trepponti: Award ceremony and proclamation of the 2026 edition's Winning Boat.
Reserve Sundays in case of bad weather: February 22 and March 1, 2026.
Highlights Carnival on the Water 2026
- 11 allegorical boats on the historic center's canals
- Approximately 1,300 participants, including children, teenagers, and adults
- The La Baia dei Pirati area for children in Via Cavour
- The proclamation of the Winning Boat and the awarding of the Forcola
Prices Carnival on the Water 2026
Practical information — Carnival on the Water
How to Get There
Comacchio is located in the Po Delta, in the province of Ferrara. By car, it can be reached from the Romea State Road (SS309) or from the Ferrara Sud exit of the A13 motorway, continuing towards the coast; on event days, it is advisable to use the parking lots outside the historic center, which is pedestrianized. The nearest train station is Ferrara, connected to Comacchio by bus. In summer, there are connections to the Comacchio Lidos.
Admission and Tips
Admission to the event is free. The parade of allegorical boats starts at 2:00 PM on both Sundays, while the activities for children in La Baia dei Pirati begin at 2:30 PM in Via Cavour. Comfortable clothing is recommended, and given the large crowds, arriving early is advised. In case of bad weather, the event may be postponed to reserve Sundays: check the updated dates on the official website carnevalecomacchio.it.
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Where does it take place — Carnival on the Water
Centro storico di Comacchio