Grand Carnival of Maiori

The Carnival of the Amalfi Coast

The Grand Carnival of Maiori, also known as the Maiori Grand Carnival, is the most important carnival event on the Amalfi Coast and one of the most popular in the entire Campania region. Every year, between February and early March, the town of Maiori, in the province of Salerno, transforms into an open-air theater: papier-mâché allegorical floats travel along the Giuseppe Capone promenade, nestled between the sea and the town's colorful facades, followed by hundreds of performers and dance troupes.

A tradition born in 1971

The history of the Maiori Carnival began in 1970, when a group of local citizens, dissatisfied with their placement at the parade in neighboring Minori, decided to organize a festival of their own. The first edition was held in 1971, and the event has been running ever since. Since the mid-seventies, the floats have been crafted using the ancient technique of papier-mâché over iron structures, a artisanal method that keeps modelers, painters, and set designers busy for months before the parade. By the eighties, critics were already hailing it as one of the most beautiful carnivals in Italy, second only to Viareggio.

The groups and competing floats

The heart of the festival lies in the town's historic associations, which compete every year with a themed float: Rio, I Monelli, I Nuovi Pazzi, Gli Invisibili, and A.D.S. - Amici di Sempre. A technical jury, which includes representatives from the carnivals of Viareggio, Putignano, and Massafra, awards the winning float the trophy dedicated to the memory of Roberto Di Martino, while other committees, composed of teachers from dance schools in Campania, evaluate the choreography of the dance groups.

• Massive papier-mâché allegorical floats with moving mechanical parts
• Costumed dance troupes with choreography prepared over months
• Fireworks displays over the sea at sunset
• 3D video mapping on the facades of Corso Reginna
• Widespread exhibitions, children's events, and cultural appointments at Palazzo Mezzacapo

A historic carnival recognized by the Ministry

The Grand Carnival of Maiori is included among the historic carnivals of Italy recognized and supported by the Ministry of Culture, which in 2025 awarded the Municipality of Maiori a grant of over 20,000 euros as part of a fund dedicated to these intangible heritage events. The artistic direction, led by Alfonso Pastore, has also built a dense network of collaborations over the years with other major Italian carnival entities gathered in Carnevalia, from the Viareggio Carnival Foundation to the Putignano Carnival.

A different theme every year

Each edition revolves around a theme that guides the construction of the floats, the decorations, and the side events: in 2025 it was "Wonder," while the 52nd edition in 2026 was dedicated to "Dreams," expressed through five floats that told stories of fantasy, desire, and hope. It is a way to renew the festival without betraying its popular identity: the sketches are presented to the public as early as autumn, months before the parades.

When to go and what to expect

The parades are concentrated on the Sundays of Carnival and on Shrove Tuesday, usually with the floats departing in the early afternoon from Via Nuova Chiunzi and arriving at the tourist port amphitheater. Admission is free, and all events take place outdoors along the SS 163 Amalfitana state road, which is closed to traffic for the occasion. On parade days, Maiori is connected by sea to Salerno, Amalfi, Cetara, and Positano: a recommended solution, as parking on the coast is limited and the influx of visitors is significant.