Felittopiano Carnival

A village carnival in the heart of Cilento

Felittopiano is a small hamlet in the municipality of Sessa Cilento, in the province of Salerno, nestled in the hills of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. For over thirty years, Carnival Sunday has been the most anticipated day of the year here: the Felittopiano Carnival fills a handful of streets, home to just a few hundred people, with color, music, and costumes. The local press affectionately calls it "the smallest carnival in Cilento," and its strength lies precisely in this intimate scale: here, it is not about the spectacle, but the joy of being together.

A tradition born from the community

The event is organized by Pro Loco SAXUM, the association that has kept the hamlet's cultural life vibrant for years, with the support of local institutions and associations. In 2024, the carnival celebrated its 35th edition, and by 2026 it reached its 37th: a rare continuity for a village event, built entirely on volunteer work and the dedication of families who spend the weeks leading up to the event in sheds and garages building the floats.

Allegorical floats and local districts

The heart of the festival is the parade of allegorical floats, which starts at the Felittopiano sports field and winds through the village streets. The local districts are the protagonists with their own creations: handmade structures of papier-mâché, iron, and wood, often inspired by current events or social satire. Accompanying the procession are masked groups, choreography, and performances by local dance schools, which turn every stop along the route into a small stage.

• Parade of allegorical floats built by the districts
• Masked groups and costumes for all ages
• Dance school performances along the route
• Music and entertainment throughout the procession

The evening party at the community center

When the parade ends, the carnival doesn't stop: the party moves to the Felittopiano community center, where the evening continues with music, dancing, and socializing until late. This is when the village truly gathers in full, bringing together those who marched, those who built the floats, and visitors from neighboring towns. Gastronomy is also a highlight, with sandwiches, drinks, and typical Cilento specialties prepared by volunteers.

The Felittopiano Carnival and the Cilento circuit

The floats from Felittopiano do not stay confined to the hamlet: in recent years, they have also taken part in the Cilento Float Festival in Marina di Casal Velino, alongside creations from Ascea, Orria, and Castelnuovo Cilento. It is a sign of how recognized this small event is within the wider Cilento carnival scene, which lights up dozens of villages between the hills and the coast between February and March.

Why it is worth visiting

Those who arrive in Felittopiano will not find grandstands or the massive crowds of famous carnivals: they will find a village that opens its doors, offers a sandwich and a glass of wine, and invites anyone who wants to walk behind a float to join the procession. For those visiting Cilento outside the beach season, it is an authentic opportunity to experience the life of the inland hamlets, their hospitality, and a popular tradition that survives thanks to the participation of everyone, from children to the elderly.