Custonaci Carnival

The Custonaci Carnival

The Custonaci Carnival is the most colorful winter highlight in this town in the province of Trapani, Sicily. Every year, between the last week of February and the first few days of March, the town center transforms into a grand open-air stage: masks, confetti, music, and pure joy fill the streets and squares, drawing both locals and visitors into a celebration that belongs to the entire community.

A celebration of folk tradition

The Custonaci Carnival is an explosion of color, joy, and tradition. The costumed parades, intricate outfits, and ancient rituals tied to Sicilian folk culture make it a unique opportunity to celebrate the territory's identity and pass down customs deeply rooted in the town's history. It is no coincidence that Custonaci was recently recognized as a City of Folklore by the Italian Federation of Popular Traditions, a testament to its strong attachment to its roots.

Where it takes place

The festivities are concentrated in the historic center of Custonaci, among the main squares and streets of the town, the heart of the community's social life. Known as the "City of Marble" for its extraction basins—among the most important in Italy and Europe—Custonaci is also a village rich in nature, art, and devotion, ranging from the Sanctuary of the Madonna to the evocative Grotta Mangiapane in Scurati.

The program

The Custonaci Carnival typically features masked parades, entertainment for families, and widespread celebrations during the peak days of the carnival calendar, from Fat Thursday to the following weekend. Dates and program details vary from year to year and are announced by the Municipality and local associations in the weeks leading up to the event.

A Carnival for the whole community

More than just a show, the Custonaci Carnival is a moment of collective participation: associations, schools, and families collaborate to make the festival a success, turning it into a defining event for the entire Western Sicily region.