Corato Carnival
The grand festival of floats, masks, and tradition in the heart of Puglia
About Corato Carnival
One of Puglia's historic carnivals
The Corato Carnival is one of the most deeply rooted popular events in the Metropolitan City of Bari. Each year, between late February and early March, the center of Corato comes alive with papier-mâché floats, masked groups, and thousands of participants parading through the city streets. The event is organized by Pro Loco Quadratum APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Corato, the Puglia Region, and UNPLI Puglia, and is officially listed among Italy's Traditional Carnivals.
The masked parades
The heart of the festival lies in the grand masked processions that depart from Via Lama di Grazia and wind through Via Aldo Moro, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, and the city's main thoroughfares, eventually reaching Piazza Cesare Battisti, the main stage for performances and shows. Each edition revolves around a theme that inspires the floats and choreography, with the enthusiastic participation of all the city's schools: thousands of students are involved, alongside associations, parishes, and private groups.
La Pegnàte, the grand finale
The event concludes with La Pegnàte (the pot-breaking ceremony), the most anticipated moment, featuring performances by private groups, the presentation of the Carnival Palio, and the announcement of the masked competition winners. The final day combines a closing parade, awards, and a square concert with music, DJ sets, and entertainment for all ages.
A festival for the whole city
The Corato Carnival is more than just a parade: it is a widespread event featuring children's theater, entertainment, tastings of traditional seasonal sweets, and, in many editions, a special fair that accompanies the festivities. Within the Puglia calendar, it represents one of the most popular carnival events in the area north of Bari, attracting visitors from neighboring towns and involving the entire Corato community in a tradition that has been renewed for decades.
Corato Carnival — edition 2026
Corato Carnival 2026 — Cinema Theme
The 46th edition of the Corato Carnival paid tribute to the world of cinema, a theme that inspired the allegorical floats, choreography, and costumes of the masked groups. The event, organized by Pro Loco Quadratum with the patronage of the Municipality of Corato, the Puglia Region, and UNPLI Puglia, involved about 4,000 participants along a route of almost 3 kilometers, with the participation of over 3,200 students from local schools in addition to associations, parishes, and private groups.
A special fair was also held alongside the festivities, while the masked competition awarded rich prizes to the most creative groups, culminating in the traditional La Pegnàte party in Piazza Cesare Battisti.
Programme Corato Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 8 — "Chiacchiere, nacchere, maschere"
- 10:00 AM, Piazza Marconi: children's theater show, entertainment, and tasting of carnival sweets
Sunday, February 15 — First masked parade
- 2:30 PM, gathering and departure from Via Lama di Grazia
- Route: Via Aldo Moro, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, city streets, Piazza Cesare Battisti
- Parade of allegorical floats, masked groups, and schools, with performances in the square
Tuesday, February 17 — Second masked parade (Shrove Tuesday)
- 2:30 PM, same route from Via Lama di Grazia to Piazza Cesare Battisti
- Choreographic performances by groups and shows in the square
Sunday, February 22 — "La Pegnàte" and awards
- 4:00 PM, Piazza Cesare Battisti: final parade of private groups
- Announcement of masked competition winners and presentation of the Carnival Palio
- Closing concert with Cecilia Gayle, DJ set, and entertainment
Highlights Corato Carnival 2026
Prices Corato Carnival 2026
Practical information — Corato Carnival
When
The Corato Carnival takes place every year between February and early March, with parades concentrated on Sundays and Shrove Tuesday. Dates change annually based on the liturgical calendar.
Where
The parades start from Via Lama di Grazia and proceed along Via Aldo Moro, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, and the city streets, ending in Piazza Cesare Battisti, Corato (BA).
Admission
The event is free: it is a street festival open to everyone. Participation in the masked parades as a performer is regulated by a specific call for entries from Pro Loco Quadratum.
How to get there
Corato is accessible by car via the SS16 bis and the A14 (Trani exit), and by train via the Ferrovie del Nord Barese line. During the parades, traffic diversions are in effect in the city center.
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Where does it take place — Corato Carnival
Piazza Cesare Battisti e corsi cittadini
Piazza Cesare Battisti, 70033 Corato