Great Scerni Carnival

The Great Scerni Carnival

The Great Scerni Carnival is one of the most deeply rooted and cherished Carnival traditions in the Vastese area, in the heart of the Chieti province, Abruzzo. Every year, on Shrove Tuesday, the town of Scerni transforms into a vast open-air theater: the streets of the municipality come alive with a spectacular parade of allegorical floats, accompanied by masked groups, confetti, music, and pure joy.

A half-century-long tradition

Founded in the 1970s, the Scerni Carnival reached its fiftieth edition in 2025 and has become a true symbol of local folklore over time. The event is kept alive by the Associazione Carnevalari Scernesi, led by Ottavio Ubaldi: a group of enthusiasts who, with the help of many volunteers, young people, and citizens, spend months in the municipal warehouse building and decorating the floats. The festival is self-funded thanks to the support of local businesses, the Municipality of Scerni, and the Abruzzo Region.

The allegorical floats

The heart of the event is the parade of about fifteen allegorical floats, authentic papier-mâché masterpieces that interpret current events, cinema, fairy tales, and fantasy with irony each year. Floats and groups from neighboring towns in the Frentano and Vastese territories also regularly participate in the Scerni parade, showcasing the event's regional appeal.

Music, gastronomy, and entertainment

Beyond the parade, the day offers a rich entertainment program: a lively DJ set accompanies the afternoon, while food and wine stalls featuring local specialties are set up along the route for all ages. The historic Carnival Lottery is a must, with tickets on sale at local shops and during the parade. The festival concludes with spectacular fireworks, the most anticipated moment to bid farewell to the edition.

Scerni and the surrounding area

A small agricultural village overlooking the Sinello valley, Scerni is part of the province of Chieti and is an ideal stop for discovering the Vastese hinterland, among cultivated hills, olive groves, and vineyards. The Carnival is the perfect opportunity to visit the town and experience Abruzzese hospitality and popular traditions.