Floats, masquerades, and delicious traditions in the Nebrodi mountains
The Galati Mamertino Carnival is one of the most cherished winter traditions in Galati Mamertino, a small mountain town in the Province of Messina nestled in the heart of the Nebrodi Park, Sicily. For about two weeks in February, the streets and squares of the village transform into a grand open-air stage, where allegorical floats, confetti, and colorful masks draw in residents, families, and visitors from neighboring towns.
The heart of the event lies in the allegorical floats and masked groups that animate the parades through the historic center. Alongside tradition, each edition brings new surprises designed to amaze both adults and children, in an atmosphere of shared joy that involves the entire Galati community.
Carnival evenings are centered at the Covered Market, which becomes the main meeting point for dancing and entertainment. Various DJs and dance groups take turns animating the nights, accompanying the crowd until the grand finale. The concluding Carnevalone Galatese is the most anticipated moment, featuring live music and special guests that get the whole square dancing.
A significant part of the program is dedicated to the little ones: the School Carnival and the Children's Carnival, with games, dancing, and plenty of activities, make the festival a family-friendly event rooted in local folklore and tradition.
Gastronomy is a highlight: during the festivities, you can enjoy traditional local sweets, especially the pignolata galatese, a honey-based pastry that is a symbol of the town's confectionery. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic flavors of the Nebrodi in a festive setting.
The Galati Mamertino Carnival is promoted by the Municipal Administration of Galati Mamertino in collaboration with the G. Verdi Musical Association, with the support of the Regional Department for Sport, Tourism, and Entertainment of the Sicilian Region. It is a collective effort that showcases the passion of the local youth and community associations.
The 2026 Galati Mamertino Carnival brought life to Galati Mamertino from February 12 to 21. Fat Thursday and Shrove Tuesday were dedicated to the little ones with the School Carnival and the Children's Carnival, filled with games and dancing. Evenings at the Covered Market were energized by DJs and dance groups. The grand finale on Saturday, February 21, the Carnevalone Galatese, featured special guests Enzo Benz and DJ Sebinho. The event was complete with allegorical floats, masked groups, and local culinary specialties, from traditional sweets to the pignolata galatese.
Galati Mamertino is located in the Nebrodi mountains, in the province of Messina. By car, it can be reached via the A20 Messina-Palermo motorway (nearest exit), followed by provincial roads winding up toward the mountain village. The nearest train station is located along the Tyrrhenian coast.
Events take place over the two weeks of Carnival in February, with the final Carnevalone held on the closing weekend. Dance nights are primarily held at the Covered Market.
Parades and public square events are traditionally free to attend. For updated schedules and details, please refer to the official channels of the Municipality of Galati Mamertino.
No photos yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Share your experience with the community.
Centro storico e Mercato Coperto