Great Alpine Carnival of San Michele all'Adige

A carnival unlike any other

The Great Alpine Carnival of San Michele all'Adige is not your typical masquerade. Organized by the San Michele all'Adige - Grumo Carnival Committee in close collaboration with the Museum of Trentino Folk Customs (METS), it is a unique event in all of Trentino: it pairs the traditional parade of allegorical floats with the non-competitive participation of the most ancient and fascinating masked groups from across the entire Alpine arc.

The concept stems from the ethnographic research of the San Michele Museum, which has been studying European winter masquerades for years. Each edition, the Committee invites to San Michele some of the most anthropologically significant ritual masks, hailing from the most remote valleys of the Alps and beyond: dark and fascinating figures that bring to light the authentic roots of this ancient winter rite.

Piana Rotaliana floats and ritual masks

The heart of the event is the grand Sunday parade: the allegorical floats created by the districts and associations of the Piana Rotaliana mingle with the visiting historical groups, creating a striking contrast between the lightheartedness of the peasant carnival and the mysterious solemnity of the Alpine masks. At the end of the procession, the most beautiful floats and masks are awarded prizes, while the festivities continue at the sports hall with entertainment and music for children.

San Michele all'Adige, between carnival and anthropology

The small municipality of San Michele all'Adige, located in the province of Trento and in the heart of the Piana Rotaliana, owes its fame to the Museum of Trentino Folk Customs, one of the most important ethnographic museums in Italy. It is no surprise that here, the carnival has become an opportunity to share the popular culture of the Alps through masks. A festival deeply felt in the town's districts, carried forward with enthusiasm by the volunteers of local associations.