Formia Carnival

The historic Carnival of the Gulf of Gaeta

The Formia Carnival is one of the longest-running and most popular events in southern Lazio. It takes place in the Municipality of Formia, in the province of Latina, a seaside city overlooking the Gulf of Gaeta and an ancient Roman center that still preserves villas, cryptoporticoes, and the famous mausoleum of Cicero. Every year, between February and March, the streets of the center fill with color, music, and masks: the festival is not just a parade, but a moment when the Formia community comes together to celebrate its identity.

The route: from Piazza Mattej to Largo Paone

The heart of the event is the parade along Via Vitruvio, the main commercial artery that runs through Formia. The groups gather in Piazza Mattej; from there, the procession moves slowly to Largo Paone, where the masked groups perform for the public and where, traditionally, the awards ceremony and the final party with music and DJ sets are held. For the occasion, traffic in the center is diverted, and Via Vitruvio becomes completely pedestrianized.

A different theme every year

A distinctive feature of the Formia Carnival is the annual theme, which guides the work of the groups in the preceding months: costumes, floats, choreography, and music are all built around a common thread. In recent years, editions have been dedicated to American imagery and the marine world, a natural choice for a city that lives by the sea and fishing.

Who participates

• Local marching bands, including the "Umberto Scipione" Band and the "Giuseppe Pepenella" Wind Orchestra of Formia, joined by the Gaeta Philharmonic
• Street bands and traveling ensembles that accompany the procession with parade rhythms
• Majorettes, cheerleaders, and folk groups
• Large allegorical floats, particularly those from Santi Cosma e Damiano, stars of the historic Campagnolo Carnival and regular guests in recent editions
• Local schools, sports, cultural, and social associations, with hundreds of participants including children and families

A community carnival

The Formia Carnival is promoted by the Municipal Administration of Formia together with the Pro Loco Città di Formia, with the support of the Frosinone Latina Chamber of Commerce. Collaboration with neighboring towns—above all Santi Cosma e Damiano—has allowed for the inclusion of allegorical floats of great artistic and choreographic value over the years, strengthening the bond between the carnival traditions of lower Lazio.

Why it's worth the trip

Those visiting the Gulf of Gaeta in winter will find this festival to be an authentic experience: no tickets, no barriers, just a city in costume. The parade is designed primarily for families, with afternoon hours and a flat, accessible route along the urban waterfront. Around the event, Formia offers its seafood cuisine, fish markets, and proximity to Gaeta, Sperlonga, and the Pontine Islands, which are reachable from the city port.

The Pontine context

In Lazio, and particularly in the province of Latina, the carnival retains a popular and artisanal dimension: floats are built in local warehouses by groups during the winter using papier-mâché and recycled materials. The Formia Carnival is fully integrated into this tradition, alongside historic events such as the one in Santi Cosma e Damiano and the numerous parades in the towns of the gulf.