Great Carnival of Vado-Monzuno

A Young but Already Beloved Carnival

The Gran Carnevale di Vado-Monzuno is one of the most vibrant Carnival festivals in the Bolognese Apennines. It takes place in Vado, a populous hamlet of the Municipality of Monzuno, in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, right in Emilia-Romagna. Despite being a recent event — the first edition dates back to 2025 — it has quickly won the hearts of the inhabitants of the Setta valley, drawing hundreds of participants to the square, including children, teenagers, and adults.

The Parade of Masked Groups

The heart of the festival is the masked parade that winds through the streets of the town. Every year, numerous groups — sixteen in the first two editions — take to the streets, meticulously prepared for months: masks, elaborate costumes, stage props, and a lot of imagination. The groups make several laps along the town's streets amidst dances, music, and clouds of confetti, while a jury evaluates originality, cheerfulness, and the care of the costumes to award the final prizes.

Entertainment for Everyone

Alongside the parade, Vado's square comes alive with entertainment designed especially for families: magic shows, face painting, inflatables, dance performances, and singing. The traditional launch of balloons, chocolates, and candies to the public is a must, closing the day in a spirit of collective celebration.

Flavors of the Apennines

The Vado Carnival is also an opportunity to taste local specialties. Stalls offer typical sweets and delicacies from the Bolognese Apennines: tigelle, crescentine, crêpes, cotton candy, as well as mulled wine and roasted chestnuts in the colder editions.

A Community Festival

The event is organized by the Pubblica Assistenza di Vado, a local volunteer association, in collaboration with the Municipality of Monzuno, the Municipal Police, Civil Protection, and Volunteer Carabinieri, who ensure the event runs safely. It is precisely this spirit of participation and volunteerism that makes the Gran Carnevale di Vado-Monzuno an authentic event, far from large tourist parades and deeply rooted in the life of the territory.