Grotte di Castro Carnival in the Square

The Carnival of the village overlooking Lake Bolsena

The Grotte di Castro Carnival in the Square is the event that, between late February and early March, brings color back to the streets of this small town in the province of Viterbo, in northern Lazio. It is not a monumental carnival with giant floats like those in the larger cities of the Tuscia region; rather, it is a grassroots village festival where the residents themselves dress up and fill the public square.

Piazza G. Marconi, the heart of the celebration

Everything centers on Piazza G. Marconi, the main square of the historic center. In the afternoon, the square is equipped with a sound system, entertainment stalls, and raffle tables: from there, the circle of masks begins, involving children, teenagers, and adults. The formula is the tried-and-tested one of the popular festivals of the Alta Tuscia: dance music, confetti, streamers, and an informal atmosphere where you don't need to book or buy a ticket—just show up in costume.

What happens during the afternoon

• Masked party with music — the main event, featuring live music or a curated playlist and dancing in the square.
• Children's entertainment — games, workshops, and activities designed for families with young children.
• Raffle drawing — a classic of Grotte celebrations, with prizes donated by local businesses.
• Most original mask award — recognition for the most creative individual costume.
• Best masked group award — the category that encourages families, school classes, and groups of friends to prepare coordinated costumes.

A town that thrives on festivals

Grotte di Castro is best known for its Potato Festival, which brings thousands of visitors to the village in August, and for religious traditions such as the Re-enactment of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday and the living nativity scene during the Christmas season. The Carnival fits into this calendar as the first social event of the year, reopening the square after winter and testing the organizational skills of the Pro Loco ahead of the summer season.

The setting: the Viterbo Alta Tuscia

The town stands on a tuff spur a short distance from the northern shore of Lake Bolsena, in a territory marked by the ancient Duchy of Castro and the cultivation of the Alto Viterbese PGI potato. Those arriving for the Carnival can easily combine the visit with the historic center, the Sanctuary of Maria Santissima del Suffragio, and the tuff-carved cellars that characterize the town. Within a few kilometers, you will find Bolsena, Gradoli, San Lorenzo Nuovo, and Acquapendente, all towns with their own calendar of popular festivals during the same period.

Who is this festival for?

It is an event especially suited for families with children and those looking for an authentic carnival, far from the crowds of more touristy events. The scale is that of an afternoon: you arrive in the early afternoon, stay until sunset, and can continue the day with a walk by the lake. Since the program is released with little notice, almost always through the Pro Loco's social media channels, it is advisable to check the date and time in the days immediately preceding the event.