Genzano Carnival
Floats, masquerades, and tradition in the heart of the Castelli Romani
About Genzano Carnival
A popular celebration in the Castelli Romani
The Genzano Carnival is, alongside the Infiorata, the event that most defines Genzano di Roma, a town in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region, overlooking Lake Nemi. For four days, the historic center transforms into an open-air theater: allegorical floats travel along Via G. Matteotti and Piazza Tommaso Frasconi, accompanied by masked groups on foot, choreographies by local dance schools, music, and confetti. The event is promoted by the Municipality of Genzano di Roma in collaboration with the Pro Loco Genzano di Roma APS and is considered a landmark in the Lazio carnival scene.
The floats, the heart of the event
Every year, the floats are built from scratch in the preceding months by volunteers, artists, and artisans from the Pro Loco: papier-mâché, mobile structures, mechanisms, and large figures inspired by the world of animation and adventure. In 2026, three floats took center stage, dedicated to Pirates of the Caribbean, Coco, and Toy Story. Children can board the floats during the parades, by reservation, with an adult chaperone per turn.
Rituals and traditional moments
- Handing over of the city keys: On the first day, the Mayor symbolically hands the keys to King Carnival in Piazza Tommaso Frasconi, officially starting the festivities.
- Tossing of the sausage sandwiches: A highly anticipated and genuinely popular moment during the moving parades.
- Schools' Carnival: A morning dedicated to local kindergarten and primary school students.
- Funeral and burning of King Carnival: The final day concludes with a funeral procession accompanied by the town band and the final burning of the effigy.
Atmosphere and surroundings
The parades are surrounded by the typical atmosphere of a village festival: stalls along the streets of the center, rides and attractions for children, and performances by local groups. This is a carnival that focuses on participation rather than mass spectacle; most of the people seen parading are locals who worked on the floats or sewed costumes in the months prior. For this reason, attendance is strong from neighboring Castelli Romani towns—Ariccia, Albano Laziale, Lanuvio, Velletri, Nemi—and from Rome, which is just over thirty kilometers away.
Why it's worth the trip
Those visiting the Castelli Romani in February will find an authentic, free, and family-friendly carnival in Genzano, a town already known for its festive traditions and the quality of its gastronomy, from the famous Pane Casareccio di Genzano PGI bread to the wines of the Colli Albani. Combining the afternoon parade with a walk by Lake Nemi or a stop at the local fraschette (traditional taverns) is the best way to experience the day.
Genzano Carnival — edition 2026
Genzano Carnival 2026
Four outings in the center of Genzano di Roma: February 8, 12, 15, and 17, 2026. The first Sunday opened with staff and pre-booked children boarding the floats on Via G. Matteotti around 3:10 PM, followed by the first parade at 3:30 PM and a stop in Piazza Tommaso Frasconi, where Mayor Carlo Zoccolotti handed the city keys to King Carnival.
Each parade day featured three laps along the historic center route, with performances by masked groups, dance school choreographies, and the traditional tossing of sausage sandwiches. On Thursday, February 12, the morning was dedicated to the Schools' Carnival. Tuesday, February 17, marked the closing with the funeral procession of King Carnival accompanied by the town band and the final burning of the effigy, managed by street artist Massimo Farini.
Programme Genzano Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 8, 2026
- 3:10 PM — Via G. Matteotti: Boarding for staff and pre-booked children
- 3:30 PM — First parade of the floats
- 3:45 PM — Stop in Piazza Tommaso Frasconi: Mayor hands the city keys to King Carnival
- Followed by — Second and third laps, masked group performances, and sausage sandwich tossing
Thursday, February 12, 2026
- Morning — Schools' Carnival for kindergarten and primary students
- Afternoon — Float parade in the historic center
Sunday, February 15, 2026
- Afternoon — Parade of the three floats with three laps, masked groups, and entertainment
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
- Afternoon — Final float parade
- Closing — Funeral procession of King Carnival with the town band and traditional burning of the effigy
Highlights Genzano Carnival 2026
- Three papier-mâché floats themed Pirates of the Caribbean, Coco, and Toy Story
- Handing over of the city keys to King Carnival
- Tossing of sausage sandwiches from moving floats
- Schools' Carnival on February 12
- Funeral procession and burning of King Carnival on February 17
- Stalls, rides, and dance school performances
Prices Genzano Carnival 2026
Practical information — Genzano Carnival
How to get there
By car from Rome: Via Appia (SS7) or Via dei Laghi, approx. 30-35 km, exit Genzano di Roma. By train: FL4 line Rome Termini–Velletri, Genzano di Roma stop, then a short trip to the center. By bus: Cotral lines from the Anagnina terminal (Metro A).
Where it takes place
The parades take place along Via G. Matteotti, the main street, and Piazza Tommaso Frasconi in the historic center. The area is closed to traffic during parade days: it is recommended to park in areas outside the center and walk in.
Costs and reservations
Participation as a spectator is free. To ride on the floats, reservations are required: contact the Pro Loco Genzano di Roma APS ([email protected]) or the Culture, Tourism, and Sport Office of the Municipality, Via Italo Belardi 81, tel. +39 06 937111.
Tips
Arrive at least half an hour before the start of the parade, bring confetti and streamers for the children, and dress in layers: in February, on the Colli Albani, the afternoon can be cold.
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Where does it take place — Genzano Carnival
Centro storico — Piazza Tommaso Frasconi e Via G. Matteotti
Piazza Tommaso Frasconi, 00045 Genzano di Roma