Floridia Carnival
Float parades, masked groups, and music in the town centre
About Floridia Carnival
The Floridia Carnival
In the heart of the province of Syracuse, the Floridia Carnival has become one of the most anticipated events in the south-eastern Sicilian calendar. Every year, in the days leading up to Lent, the centre of Floridia transforms into a massive open-air stage: allegorical floats, masked groups, individual costumes, music, and entertainment take over the town streets and the central Piazza del Popolo.
A Recognised Historic Carnival
In 2022, the Floridia Carnival received a prestigious honour: it was officially included by the Ministry of Culture among Italy's historic carnivals. This recognition celebrates the local tradition, the artisanal creativity of the master papier-mâché artists, and the community's ability to involve schools, associations, and citizens in the construction of floats and the creation of costumes.
Parades and Programme
The festival spans several days. It traditionally opens with the children's parade featuring nursery and primary schools, filling the centre with a riot of colour. The main parades of floats and masked groups usually take place on Sunday and the final day (Shrove Tuesday), starting from the Piazza Melbourne area and winding through Viale Vittorio Veneto, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and Via Pellico, before arriving at Piazza del Popolo, accompanied by music and dancing.
- Inaugural school children's parade
- Competitive parades of allegorical floats and masked groups
- Dance parties and DJ sets in Piazza del Popolo
- Final awards ceremony for floats and groups by a technical jury
Music and Evening Festivities
Alongside the parades, the Floridia Carnival offers musical evenings that attract a younger audience: recent editions have featured nationally renowned DJs such as Albertino, artistic director of m2o, alongside local DJs and entertainers. After the daytime parades, Piazza del Popolo becomes the beating heart of the carnival nights.
A Community Celebration
More than just an event, the Carnival represents a moment of strong collective identity for Floridia: associations, schools, day centres, and sports clubs spend months working on the creation of floats and choreography, often with delegations joining from neighbouring towns like Solarino. The result is a celebration that blends fun, popular tradition, and creativity, capable of attracting visitors from across the province of Syracuse and all of Sicily.
Floridia Carnival — edition 2026
Floridia Carnival 2026
The 2026 edition of the Floridia Carnival brought the town to life from 12 to 17 February. On Friday, 13 February, at 3:00 PM, the parade of children from nursery and primary schools opened the festivities, starting from Viale Vittorio Veneto towards the historic centre. On Saturday, 14 February, Piazza del Popolo hosted a dance party with the famous DJ Albertino (artistic director of m2o), followed by DJ Pierluigi Giacoia.
The main parades were held on Sunday, 15 February, and Tuesday, 17 February, from 3:30 PM, with 4 allegorical floats and 9 masked groups competing along the route from Piazza Melbourne, Viale Vittorio Veneto, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Pellico, to Piazza del Popolo. Among the awarded groups were "Nonni, supereroi invincibili", "Erasmus a Parigi", and "Brucia la Terra"; among the floats, "Il custode dei cieli d'Oriente", "Alle porte del potere", and "In piedi sul mare". The mayor, Marco Carianni, described it as one of the most beautiful editions ever organised by the municipal administration.
Programme Floridia Carnival 2026
2026 Programme
- Friday, 13 February, 3:00 PM — Parade of nursery and primary school children (from Viale Vittorio Veneto to the historic centre)
- Saturday, 14 February — Piazza del Popolo: dance party with DJ Albertino and DJ Pierluigi Giacoia
- Sunday, 15 February, 3:30 PM — Parade of allegorical floats and masked groups (route: Piazza Melbourne - Viale Vittorio Veneto - Corso Vittorio Emanuele - Via Pellico - Piazza del Popolo), with DJs Leonardo Messina and Francesco Pappalardo
- Tuesday, 17 February, 3:30 PM — Grand finale with the same parade, technical jury evaluation, and awards ceremony
Highlights Floridia Carnival 2026
- 4 allegorical floats and 9 masked groups in competition
- Evening with DJ Albertino in Piazza del Popolo
- Inaugural school children's parade
- Final awards ceremony for floats and masked groups
Prices Floridia Carnival 2026
Practical information — Floridia Carnival
Getting There
Floridia is located just a few kilometres from Syracuse, in south-eastern Sicily. By car, it can be reached via the SS124 or the A18/A19 motorway, exiting towards Syracuse and following signs for Floridia. The nearest and best-connected train station is in Syracuse, from where you can continue by bus or car. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa, about an hour's drive away.
Location
The parades wind through the historic centre of Floridia, with the heart of the festivities located in Piazza del Popolo. Traffic restrictions are in place during parade days: it is advisable to arrive early and park in the outskirts of the town.
Costs
Access to the parades and events in the square is generally free. For updated dates and programmes, please check the official channels of the Municipality of Floridia and the Carnival's Instagram page.
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Where does it take place — Floridia Carnival
Centro storico e Piazza del Popolo
Piazza del Popolo 12, 96014 Floridia