Fiuggi Carnival

Carnival in the heart of the city of waters

The Fiuggi Carnival is one of the most anticipated winter events in the province of Frosinone, in the Lazio region. Promoted by the Municipality of Fiuggi together with the Pro Loco and local associations, the event brings hundreds of masked children and adults to the streets, restoring a vibrant winter energy to the spa town, which is better known for its mineral waters and summer season.

This is not a monumental carnival with massive allegorical floats like those in Ronciglione or Viareggio: the spirit here is that of a participatory village festival, where the square is the true stage and families, schools, and neighborhood committees build the event. It is this intimate and genuine dimension that makes it particularly appreciated by those visiting the Ciociaria region out of season.

The gathering and the parade

The afternoon begins with the gathering at Piazzale del Monumento, the meeting point for masks, groups, and families. From there, the parade towards Piazza Trento e Trieste begins, the urban living room of Fiuggi Fonte overlooking the town's tree-lined avenues. The procession crosses the center amidst music, confetti, and streamers, with children in costume as the absolute stars.

The square transforms into an entertainment village

Once the square is reached, the Carnival comes to life. The program typically includes:

• Live entertainment and hosting, with a presenter engaging the audience throughout the afternoon;
• DJ set and baby dance to get the little ones moving;
• Traditional games with prizes, in the spirit of Ciociaria square festivals;
• Dance performances, particularly by local schools with Latin-American choreographies;
• Mascots and characters for children's entertainment;
• Souvenir certificate for every child participating in a mask.

Frappe, castagnole, and traditional sweets

As throughout Lazio, Carnival in Fiuggi is also a delicious feast. The free distribution of frappe (the classic fried and sugared pastry sheets, called chiacchiere in other regions) and castagnole is one of the most awaited moments. The preparation is entrusted to the collaboration of the Buonarroti Hotel Institute of Fiuggi and the Colle Neighborhood Committee: an involvement that gives students the opportunity to test themselves with traditional seasonal pastry-making and ties the festival even more closely to the local community.

A carnival that changes scenery

Over the years, the event has alternated between different formats. In some editions, the festival took place in the area of the Palacongressi and Helmstedt Park, with a full day featuring food and wine markets, a parade of floats set up by local associations, children's shows, and the awarding of the best mask. In others, such as the most recent edition, the focus returned to the town center, in Piazza Trento e Trieste. The date follows the mobile Carnival calendar and falls between the end of February and the first days of March, often on Shrove Tuesday or the preceding Sunday.

Why visit Fiuggi in winter

The Carnival is the perfect opportunity to discover a lesser-known side of Fiuggi. The city, famous throughout Europe for its thermal baths and the water that bears its name, preserves a perched medieval village — Fiuggi Città — with alleys, churches, and scenic views of the valley, while Fiuggi Fonte is the Art Nouveau-style part of town that grew around the thermal establishments. In February, the air is crisp, prices are more contained, and the center is enlivened by the Municipality's winter initiatives, including commercial promotions. A day trip from Rome or Frosinone, with the Carnival as a pretext for a stroll among thermal baths, woods, and Ciociaria cuisine.