Corsano and Capo di Leuca Carnival
Gigantic papier-mâché floats in lower Salento
About Corsano Carnival
The Corsano and Capo di Leuca Carnival
In the heart of the Salento winter, the Corsano and Capo di Leuca Carnival stands out as the most anticipated event in lower Salento and one of the most popular cultural winter attractions in all of Puglia. Every year, in the town of Corsano, province of Lecce, tens of thousands of visitors flock to the industrial district to admire the parade of gigantic papier-mâché floats, some of which soar up to 13 meters high.
A history spanning over forty years
The event traces its roots back to 1981, when Biagio Bisanti, together with Cesario Ratano and Biagio Orlando, organized the first masked parade with the float «Dalle stelle alle stalle» (From stars to stables). It was then that the use of papier-mâché was introduced for the first time in the construction of floats in Southern Salento, paving the way for generations of master craftsmen. From that initial experiment, a tradition was born that, edition after edition, has made Corsano one of the capitals of Carnival in the Capo di Leuca area.
The floats and the masters of papier-mâché
The heart of the festival lies in the allegorical floats, authentic works of ephemeral art hand-modeled by local float-building groups. Each group chooses a theme—from social and political satire to major current events—and spends months in workshops bringing animated mobile structures to life, accompanied by choreography and masked dance troupes. The artisanal quality of Corsano's papier-mâché is now recognized as among the finest in Puglia.
More than just a parade
Surrounding the processions is a rich program of side events: live music, DJ sets, performances, folk groups, a large food area featuring Salento's culinary specialties, and a space with rides dedicated to children. Participation is free, and the parades wind through the industrial area south of the town, easily accessible from the neighboring municipalities of Capo di Leuca.
Corsano Carnival — edition 2026
The 42nd edition of the Corsano and Capo di Leuca Carnival brought the industrial area of Corsano to life with three days of parades on February 8, 15, and 17, 2026. Four float-building groups competed with as many papier-mâché floats, joined by masked dance troupes, while the surrounding area featured live music, a food court with typical Salento products, and children's rides. The parades were broadcast live via streaming on Radio del Capo.
Programme Corsano Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 8 — First parade
Opening of the 42nd edition with the first appearance of the allegorical floats along the avenues of the Corsano industrial area.
Sunday, February 15, 3:30 PM — Second parade
The procession opened with the Pro Loco float (led by Lucia Bleve, Antonella Bleve, and DJ Las Arenellas). Four groups competed:
- Mare di guai — float «Carnevale, una magia da tramandare»
- Quelli che il Macello — float «Pandora: la speranza tra le ombre», with dance troupe
- Mir — float «Il Paese dei farlocchi», with dance troupe
- Picca ma boni jr (Patù) — float «La magia del Carnevale», with dance troupe
Accompanying the parade: the «Eternauti» circus workshop, live music by «La combriccola di Boe», folk groups, and the quadrille from Presicce-Acquarica.
Tuesday, February 17 — Grand finale (Shrove Tuesday)
Final parade, awards ceremony for the floats and competing groups, and a final performance by the Havana Trio.
The parades were broadcast live via streaming on www.radiodelcapo.it.
Highlights Corsano Carnival 2026
Prices Corsano Carnival 2026
Practical information — Corsano Carnival
Location
The parades take place along the avenues of the industrial area south of Corsano (via dell'Artigianato), in the province of Lecce, in southern Salento.
How to get there
Corsano can be reached via the provincial road 81 for those coming from the north (direction Tricase – Tiggiano) and via the provincial road 210 for those arriving from the west (Maglie – Montesano Salentino – Alessano). Ample parking space is available near the industrial area.
Tickets
Admission to the parades is free. On-site, there is a food area with typical Salento products and rides for children.
Organization
The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Corsano with the support of the Municipality of Corsano, the Union of Municipalities «Terra di Leuca», and the Unpli.
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Where does it take place — Corsano Carnival
Zona industriale di Corsano
Via dell'Artigianato, Zona Industriale, 73033 Corsano