Empedocle Carnival
Papier-mâché floats and masquerades through the streets of Porto Empedocle
About Empedocle Carnival
The Empedocle Carnival, a street festival in Porto Empedocle
The Empedocle Carnival is the major carnival celebration in Porto Empedocle, a seaside town in the province of Agrigento, Sicily. Established just a few years ago by the Carnevale Empedoclino Cultural Association, the event has quickly become one of the most anticipated winter highlights, transforming the historic center into a grand open-air stage filled with color, music, and joy.
Papier-mâché floats and masks
The heart of the festival lies in the parades of papier-mâché floats, the result of months of craftsmanship by local masked groups. These increasingly elaborate structures parade through the main streets, accompanied by costumed groups, dance schools, and plenty of music. A distinctive feature of the Empedocle Carnival is the active participation of local schoolchildren, who join the festivities with dances and colorful costumes, making the event a true community-wide celebration.
The route through the squares
The parades wind through the urban fabric of Porto Empedocle, touching the town's iconic landmarks:
- Via Roma and Via Quattro Novembre, arriving in Piazza Kennedy;
- Piazza Aristotele, the starting and finishing point for the floats, via Via Berlinguer and Via dello Sport;
- on the final day, Via Catania and Via Milano, leading to Piazza Udine.
Each edition concludes with a final parade of all competing floats and the awarding of the prize for the best float.
A festival for the local area
The Empedocle Carnival is much more than just a parade: it is an opportunity to strengthen community spirit and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Porto Empedocle, the seaside village made famous by Andrea Camilleri as his "Vigàta". Admission to the parades is free, and the event is designed for families, featuring moments dedicated to children and evening shows in the town center. For those visiting the province of Agrigento in winter, the Carnival is the ideal chance to discover the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Sicilian town festival.
Empedocle Carnival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Empedocle Carnival was held from February 15 to 17, 2026, from Saturday to Shrove Tuesday. The festival kicked off on Saturday at 5:00 PM with the parade of floats along Via Roma and Via Quattro Novembre, arriving at Piazza Kennedy, followed by performances by groups and dance schools.
On the following days, the floats departed from Piazza Aristotele, crossing Via Berlinguer and Via dello Sport before returning to the same square, where additional shows took place. On Shrove Tuesday, the parade continued along Via Catania and Via Milano, culminating in Piazza Udine with a grand evening show and performances by local schools. The final day featured a parade of all competing floats for the "Best Float 2026" award. Admission was free.
Programme Empedocle Carnival 2026
- Saturday, February 15 (from 5:00 PM): Carnival opening with the parade of floats along Via Roma and Via Quattro Novembre, arrival at Piazza Kennedy, and group performances.
- Sunday, February 16: Float parade departing from Piazza Aristotele, route along Via Berlinguer and Via dello Sport, and return to Piazza Aristotele for shows.
- Tuesday, February 17 (Shrove Tuesday): Parade along Via Catania and Via Milano to Piazza Udine, evening show, local school performances, and final parade of all competing floats for the Best Float 2026 award.
Highlights Empedocle Carnival 2026
- Parades of papier-mâché floats along the streets of the historic center
- Participation of local schoolchildren
- Performances by dance schools and evening shows
- Award for the Best Float 2026
Prices Empedocle Carnival 2026
Practical information — Empedocle Carnival
Getting there
Porto Empedocle is located along the southern coast of Sicily, in the province of Agrigento. By car, it can be reached via the SS115; the most conveniently served train station is Agrigento Centrale, a few kilometers away, from which you can continue by bus or taxi. The nearest airports are Comiso, followed by Catania and Palermo.
Admission and information
Access to the parades is free and takes place along the streets and squares of the historic center. For the updated program, we recommend following the Facebook page of the Carnevale Empedoclino Cultural Association (tel. +39 389 980 5061).
Tips
We recommend arriving early on parade days to secure a spot along the route and wearing comfortable clothing. There are numerous dining and accommodation options between Porto Empedocle and nearby Agrigento.
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Where does it take place — Empedocle Carnival
Centro storico di Porto Empedocle