The great Alto Garda Carnival featuring gnocchi, parade floats, and masquerades
The Dro Carnival is one of the most cherished events in the winter calendar of the Trentino Alto Garda region. Every year in February, the historic center of Dro, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), fills with confetti, music, and masks. The event is organized by the Comitato Carnevale Dro, a group of volunteers who uphold a tradition deeply rooted in the local community.
The festivities kick off with Venerdì Gnoccolaro, a delicious tradition typical of the Garda and Verona areas. At noon, gnocchi and mulled wine are served, creating a convivial atmosphere that brings residents and visitors together in the town center to officially start the celebrations.
The highlight of the event is the Grand Carnival on Sunday afternoon, featuring a spectacular parade of allegorical floats and masked groups winding through the town streets. The parade includes floats from neighboring hamlets and towns in the Alto Garda area, reflecting a historic collaboration between the communities of Dro, Varignano, and the surrounding region. The parade is accompanied by the Banda Sociale Dro e Ceniga and the Happy Fantasy Dance Majorettes, who bring the procession to life with music and choreography. Throughout the afternoon, sausages, beer, and mulled wine are served.
More than just an event, the Dro Carnival is a vital moment for the town's identity and local volunteerism. The preparation of the floats, which takes months of hard work by local groups, showcases the strong community spirit of the Alto Garda. The event is free to attend and suitable for the whole family, offering a festive atmosphere filled with applause, confetti, and traditional dishes.
The 2026 Dro Carnival was held over two days. On Friday, February 13, starting at 12:00 PM, the Venerdì Gnoccolaro took place with the distribution of gnocchi and mulled wine. On Sunday, February 15, starting at 2:00 PM, the Grand Carnival featured the distribution of sausages, beer, and mulled wine, followed by the parade of allegorical floats and masked groups. Five floats from Varignano also took part in the parade, accompanied for the occasion by the inter-municipal Local Police. The Banda Sociale Dro e Ceniga and the Happy Fantasy Dance Majorettes enlivened the procession amidst applause and confetti along the town streets.
Friday, February 13, 12:00 PM – Venerdì Gnoccolaro: distribution of gnocchi and mulled wine.
Sunday, February 15, 2:00 PM – Grand Carnival: distribution of sausages, beer, and mulled wine; parade of allegorical floats and masked groups with the Banda Sociale Dro e Ceniga and the Happy Fantasy Dance Majorettes.
The Carnival takes place in the historic center of Dro (ZIP code 38074), an Alto Garda town in the province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige.
By car: from the north or south via the SS45bis 'Valle dei Laghi' road, or from the SS240 from the Alto Garda area (Riva del Garda and Arco are just a few kilometers away). The nearest train stations are in Rovereto and Trento, which are connected to Dro by local bus lines.
Participation in the festival and the parade is free. Gnocchi, sausages, beer, and mulled wine are served during the event days.
Winter clothing is recommended, and for the little ones, wearing a costume is encouraged. There is a wide availability of accommodation in nearby Arco, Riva del Garda, and Torbole.
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Centro storico di Dro