Foglianise Carnival

A village Carnival in the heart of Sannio

In Foglianise, a town of just over three thousand residents nestled 350 meters up on the slopes of Mount Taburno, Carnival has always been one of the most anticipated events of the year. This is not a monumental spectacle like those in major cities, but an authentically communal celebration: families, children, costumed groups, and Pro Loco volunteers build it piece by piece in the weeks leading up to the parade. The result is an afternoon of color, music, and joy that involves the entire town in one of the most genuine areas of the Benevento province and inland Campania.

The parade through the historic center

The highlight is the costumed procession in the afternoon. It begins at the Pro Loco headquarters on Via Umberto I, from where the snake-like trail of masks, music, and confetti winds through the streets of central Foglianise and the historic districts, arriving at Piazza Fiamme Gialle, where the festivities continue with music and entertainment. The traditional start time is 3:45 PM, a choice made so that even the youngest children can participate before nightfall.

• Meeting point: Pro Loco headquarters, Via Umberto I
• Arrival: Piazza Fiamme Gialle, the main event square in Foglianise
• Participants: Costumed groups, children in costume, music, and street dancing
• Admission: Free

Costumed groups, games, and folklore

In past editions, the Foglianise Carnival has alternated the parade with more structured moments: afternoons of games for preschool and school-aged children, evenings of music and dancing with guest folk groups—such as the "Città di Cervinara" group with their traditional N'drezzata—and masquerade parties with costume contests. It follows the typical structure of Sannio carnivals, where playfulness for children coexists with the rediscovery of the Campanian folk repertoire, and which over the years has seen the event become part of the extensive calendar of Pro Loco carnivals in the province.

Foglianise, the town of wheat floats

To truly understand the spirit of the Foglianise Carnival, one must know the town's other major festival: the Wheat Festival (Festa del Grano). Every August, around the 16th and the feast of the patron saint, San Rocco, the streets are filled with floats woven entirely from wheat and straw, featuring scale reproductions of famous churches, monuments, and bridges. That artisan tradition fosters a community accustomed to teamwork, building, and parading: the same manual skill and collective spirit are found, in a playful winter key, in the preparations for Carnival. It is no surprise that the town, awarded the title of "City" in 2012, is considered a landmark of Sannio folklore.

What to expect

Visitors will find a village-scale Carnival: no ticket offices, no grandstands, just the pleasure of walking within the procession through winding alleys, past overlooking balconies, and enjoying traditional Carnival sweets. The masks are largely handmade by families, and the soundtrack alternates between tarantellas and dance music. It is the perfect opportunity to combine the festival with exploring the Taburno area, a land of wines—such as Aglianico and Falanghina del Taburno—and olive groves, located a short distance from Benevento and the Taburno-Camposauro Regional Park.

When it takes place

The date changes every year as it follows the movable Carnival calendar: the parade is usually held on the weekend preceding Shrove Tuesday. In 2025, the procession took place on Saturday, March 1st, and in 2026, on the weekend of February 14th and 15th. It is always advisable to check the official announcement from the Pro Loco Foglianise "Ugo Pedicini" in the weeks leading up to the event, as times and routes may be adjusted at the last minute.