Gran Carnevale Giudicariese

The historic carnival of the Giudicarie

The Gran Carnevale Giudicariese is one of the most deeply rooted popular events in western Trentino. It takes place in Tione di Trento, the main town of the Giudicarie Valleys in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige region), and boasts an unbroken tradition dating back to the late 19th century, interrupted only by the two World Wars. In 2026, the event celebrates its 138th edition, confirming its status as one of the longest-running historic carnivals in the entire Alpine region.

The Grande Chiavata and the Carnival Queen

The inaugural ritual is the famous Grande Chiavata: the Carnival Queen symbolically receives the keys to the town, marking the official start of the festivities and the transfer of power to the carnival sovereign. During the evening, the winners of the previous edition return the trophy, and the parade order for the allegorical floats is drawn, interspersed with performances by local theater and sports groups.

The allegorical float parade

The heart of the carnival is the grand parade of allegorical floats and masked groups, which travel through the town center before converging on Piazza Cesare Battisti, in front of the Town Hall. The floats, built over months of hard work by committees from neighboring villages, are judged by a jury that rewards originality, satire, and the ability to capture the spirit of the festival. The processions are accompanied by the Tione Social Band, providing the soundtrack and joy for the entire event.

Gastronomy and atmosphere

The Gran Carnevale Giudicariese is also a great convivial celebration: along the streets and in the squares, volunteers prepare and distribute traditional dishes, from polenta with sausage to grostoi (typical fried carnival pastries) and mulled wine. Dance evenings and DJ sets at venues like Parco Le Ville and the Palatennis extend the festivities late into the night.

An identity-defining heritage

Much more than just a parade, the Giudicariese Carnival is an identity-defining heritage that involves the entire Giudicarie community: villages and hamlets compete with floats and masks, passing down a collective ritual from generation to generation that blends satire, craftsmanship, music, and Trentino folk tradition.