Fabriano Carnival
Edition 2026 Street arts Folk traditions Folklore

Fabriano Carnival

The masked parade in the heart of the paper city

Fabriano — Ancona (042)
Dates 15 Feb โ€” 15 Feb 2026
Location Fabriano (042)
Prices Free
Status Finished

About Fabriano Carnival

Every year, on Carnival Sunday, the historic center of Fabriano fills with confetti, music, and colorful masks. The Fabriano Carnival, organized by the Pro Loco with the patronage of the Municipality, offers a cheerful masked parade that starts from the Giardini Regina Margherita and reaches the charming Piazza del Comune, where a jury awards the most creative masks and groups. With face painting, entertainment, traditional sweets, and street artists, it's a celebration designed especially for families and children, bringing joy to one of the symbolic cities of the Marche hinterland.

Carnival in the historic center of Fabriano

The Fabriano Carnival is one of the most anticipated winter events in the Municipality of Fabriano, in the Province of Ancona, in the heart of the Marche hinterland. Every year, on Carnival Sunday, the streets of the historic center transform into an open-air stage made of masks, confetti, streamers, and lots of cheer. The event is organized by the Pro Loco Fabriano, with the patronage of the Municipality and the support of the Carifac Foundation and numerous private sponsors.

The masked parade

The heart of the event is the masked parade that crosses the city center. The gathering point is at the Giardini Regina Margherita, near the Chalet, where free registration for individual masks and organized groups takes place. From here, the parade starts in the early afternoon and winds through the city streets to the beautiful Piazza del Comune, the hub of city life, overlooked by the Palazzo del Podestร  and the historic Sturinalto fountain.

Prizes, games, and entertainment

Along the route and in the square, a jury evaluates the most original masks and the most spectacular groups, awarding prizes to children and adults. Groups participating in the competition are asked to display a clearly visible identification sign with their name. The day is enriched by numerous activities:

  • Music and entertainment in the city streets;
  • Street artists and shows;
  • Face painting and workshops for children;
  • Confetti and streamers galore;
  • Typical Carnival sweets, such as castagnole and frappe.

A celebration for families

The Fabriano Carnival is above all a popular and family-friendly celebration, capable of involving different generations and animating the center during a usually quiet time of year. It's an opportunity to experience the city in a joyful and participatory way, rediscovering the traditions of the Marche Carnival in a charming urban setting, that of Fabriano, world-renowned for its ancient paper-making art and recognized as a UNESCO Creative City.

When it takes place

The event traditionally takes place on Carnival Sunday, with a rain date in case of bad weather. As it is an outdoor event, it is always advisable to check for updates on the official channels of Pro Loco Fabriano before traveling.

Fabriano Carnival โ€” edition 2026

The 2026 edition of the Fabriano Carnival took place on Sunday, February 15, in the historic center. The gathering was scheduled at Giardini Regina Margherita with free registration starting at 2:00 PM, while the masked parade departed at 3:00 PM towards Piazza del Comune. Among street artists, music, confetti, and face painting, the jury awarded the most creative masks and groups. In case of bad weather, the rain date was Saturday, February 21.

The 2026 edition of the Fabriano Carnival was held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, organized by Pro Loco Fabriano with the patronage of the Municipality, the support of the Carifac Foundation, and private sponsors.

The program included gathering at the Giardini Regina Margherita with free registration for masks and groups starting at 2:00 PM, and the departure of the masked parade at 3:00 PM towards Piazza del Comune. The celebration was enlivened by street artists, music, confetti, and face painting, with awards for the most original masks and groups by a jury. In case of bad weather, the event would have been postponed to Saturday, February 21.

Programme Fabriano Carnival 2026

2:00 PM โ€“ Gathering and free registration for masks and groups at Giardini Regina Margherita (at the Chalet).

3:00 PM โ€“ Departure of the masked parade through the streets of the historic center towards Piazza del Comune.

Following: entertainment, music, street artists, face painting, typical sweets, and awards for the most creative masks and groups by the jury.

Highlights Fabriano Carnival 2026

Masked parade from Giardini Regina Margherita to Piazza del Comune; street artists; music and entertainment; face painting; awards for individual masks and organized groups; confetti and typical traditional sweets.

Prices Fabriano Carnival 2026

Participation in the parade is free upon on-site registration; attendance at the event is free and open to all.

Practical information — Fabriano Carnival

How to get here

By car: Fabriano is accessible from the SS 76 (Ancona-Rome axis via Fabriano) and the SS 3 Flaminia. During the event, the historic center is largely pedestrianized: it is advisable to use the parking lots near the center.

By train: Fabriano station is on the Rome-Ancona line and also connected to the line for Pergola; from the station, the historic center is just a few minutes away.

Registration and costs

Participation in the masked parade is free, upon registration on-site at Giardini Regina Margherita. Assistance for the show is free and open to all.

Tips

Event suitable for families with children. In case of bad weather, the event will be postponed: always check the rain date on the official channels of Pro Loco Fabriano.

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Where does it take place โ€” Fabriano Carnival

Centro storico (Giardini Regina Margherita โ€“ Piazza del Comune)

Giardini Regina Margherita, 60044 Fabriano

Contact Fabriano Carnival

Fabriano Carnival in brief

Street arts Folk traditions Folklore Family Children Playful Outdoor Free Ancona

History of Fabriano Carnival