Giant Maccheronata Carnival Festival
The centuries-old Shrove Tuesday tradition in Vallagarina
About Giant Maccheronata of Avio
The Giant Maccheronata of Avio
The Giant Maccheronata Carnival Festival is one of the most cherished and long-standing events in the Municipality of Avio, nestled in the heart of the Vallagarina valley in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). Now in its 126th edition, this celebration is rooted in a centuries-old tradition that transforms the town into a massive open-air banquet every Shrove Tuesday, welcoming everyone and serving as a cornerstone of local identity.
The heart of the festivities
The beating heart of the event is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III, where volunteers and local associations prepare and serve the famous maccheroni al ragù, cooked in enormous pots to feed the hundreds of people flocking to the town. Alongside this signature dish, there are plenty of sweet crepes and fries, making the day a true celebration of culinary conviviality.
Masks, colors, and the lottery
Beyond the communal lunch, the festival is alive with carnival spirit: the children's costume parade brings the streets of the center to life with colorful outfits and confetti. The day concludes with the highly anticipated lottery draw, a highlight that gathers both young and old in the square.
A Vallagarina event
The Avio Maccheronata is part of the rich Vallagarina Carnival calendar, a series of events running from late January to early April that animates dozens of local towns with pasta feasts, parades, and square celebrations. However, the Avio event stands out as a unique chapter, with a historical continuity that makes it one of the oldest and most deeply rooted traditions in the region. For the locals, Shrove Tuesday without the Maccheronata would be unthinkable: it is a collective ritual that unites generations.
Why attend
- Taste the maccheroni al ragù prepared according to the traditional Avio recipe
- Experience the authentic atmosphere of the Trentino Carnival in a charming village
- Watch the costume parade and join the festive lottery
- Discover Avio, a land of castles, vineyards, and ancient Vallagarina traditions
Giant Maccheronata of Avio — edition 2026
The 126th Giant Maccheronata of Avio was held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, on Shrove Tuesday, in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III. As per tradition, the main attraction was the maccheroni with meat sauce, accompanied by crepes and fries. The day saw the participation of numerous masked revelers, with a costume parade dedicated to children, and concluded with the lottery draw. The event was part of the 2026 Vallagarina Carnival calendar, coordinated locally with the support of the APT Rovereto, Vallagarina and Monte Baldo.
Programme Giant Maccheronata of Avio 2026
- Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III — distribution of maccheroni with meat sauce, crepes, and fries
- Costume parade through the streets of the center
- Carnival lottery draw
Highlights Giant Maccheronata of Avio 2026
Prices Giant Maccheronata of Avio 2026
Practical information — Giant Maccheronata of Avio
How to get there
Avio is easily accessible by car via the A22 Brenner motorway (Ala-Avio exit) and by train along the Verona-Brenner line (Ala or Avio station). The Maccheronata takes place in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III, in the historic center of the town.
When
The event is held every year on Shrove Tuesday, starting around midday.
Information
For updated details, you can contact the APT Rovereto, Vallagarina and Monte Baldo tourist office (tel. +39 0464 430363) or visit the VisitTrentino portal in the Vallagarina Carnival section.
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Where does it take place — Giant Maccheronata of Avio
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III, 38063 Avio