Finocchio Carnival

A neighborhood festival at the gates of Rome

The Finocchio Carnival is one of the many neighborhood celebrations that bring the capital's eastern suburbs to life every winter. Finocchio is an urban area within the Municipio VI delle Torri, which grew along the via Casilina near the border with the Castelli Romani and the territories of Colonna and Monte Compatri: a compact residential fabric made of villas, small apartment buildings, and local shops, where community life still counts for a great deal. It is precisely from this fabric—neighborhood committees, parishes, volunteer associations, schools, and shopkeepers—that the masked parade is born each year.

The parade along via di Fontana Candida

The heart of the event is the afternoon parade. The procession forms on via di Fontana Candida and then travels along via Casilina, via di Rocca Cencia, via Mandanici, via Motta Camastra, and via Bolognetta, before finally returning to via di Fontana Candida. It is a loop of several kilometers that touches the most lived-in points of the neighborhood, starting in the early afternoon and concluding in the evening. To allow the parade to pass, Roma Capitale and Roma Servizi per la Mobilità arrange temporary road closures and possible diversions for bus lines serving the area, including lines 052, 107, and C9.

What to expect

• Masked groups of children and teenagers, often prepared with the help of local schools and parish youth centers;
• Floats and decorated vehicles set up by local associations, with music and entertainment;
• Bands and musical groups accompanying the route;
• Confetti, streamers, and the distribution of carnival sweets along the streets;
• Stalls and makeshift refreshment points in front of the shops facing the route.

Carnival in Rome's districts

In Rome, Carnival does not have a single large official parade like in Viareggio or Putignano: the celebration multiplies into dozens of neighborhood events, each with its own organizing committee. In Municipio VI, celebrations have historically involved Torre Angela, Torbellamonaca, Le Torri, Borghesiana, Villaggio Prenestino, Corcolle, and indeed Finocchio, with distinct posters and programs for each area. It is a popular tradition that, even without media hype, has endured for years thanks to the unpaid work of volunteers, and for many children in the Roman suburbs, it represents their first experience of Carnival on the streets.

Why it's worth visiting

Those looking for the authentic atmosphere of neighborhood festivals in the Lazio Region will find an event here without tourist filters: no tickets, no grandstands, just a neighborhood reclaiming its streets for a few hours. The event is designed primarily for families and children, but it is also an opportunity to discover a little-told piece of Rome, the one that extends beyond the Grande Raccordo Anulare along the Casilina route.

When it takes place

The date traditionally falls on the Carnival weekend, therefore between February and March depending on the liturgical year. In 2025, the parade was held on Saturday, March 1st, from 1 PM to 7 PM. Since organization is entrusted to local committees, the program is generally announced only a few weeks in advance through posters displayed in the neighborhood, the social media pages of the associations, and traffic notices from Roma Capitale.