Guidonia Carnival

The most colorful Carnival in the Aniene Valley

Every February, Guidonia Montecelio, the second-largest city in the province of Rome, transforms into a grand open-air stage. The Guidonia Carnival is one of the longest-running and most popular events in the Tiburtina area. Now in its 44th edition in 2026, it draws tens of thousands of spectators every year to Viale Roma, the main artery that runs through the city center and serves as the parade route for the allegorical floats.

Allegorical floats and masquerade parades

The heart of the festival remains the parade of allegorical floats, crafted in the months leading up to the event by local groups and associations using traditional papier-mâché techniques. Each float tells a story—whether a piece of satire, a current event, or a fairy tale—and is accompanied by masked groups, dance schools, marching bands, and performers in costume. The procession is a whirlwind of choreography, confetti, music, and entertainment, creating a joyful atmosphere that delights both children and adults.

Parades typically take place on Sunday and Shrove Tuesday, starting in the early afternoon from the Guidoni monument and winding along Viale Roma and the surrounding streets. For the occasion, the Municipality of Guidonia Montecelio implements traffic diversions and parking restrictions along the entire route each year.

The Carnival Village

Alongside the parades, the Viale Roma pine forest hosts the Carnival Village for the duration of the event. This equipped area features food stalls, beverage stations, games and inflatables for children, a stage for live performances, and a dance floor with evening DJ sets. It serves as the city's main gathering point, open every day of the festival, allowing visitors to enjoy the Carnival spirit even outside of parade hours.

The burning of King Carnival

The festival concludes with its most evocative and symbolic moment: the burning of King Carnival, an effigy set ablaze at the end of the final Shrove Tuesday parade. This ritual, deeply rooted in Italian carnival tradition, is accompanied by a grand finale show featuring music and entertainment, marking the end of the festive period and the beginning of Lent.

A community celebration

Organized by the Il Carnevale di Guidonia Cultural Association with the patronage and support of the Municipality of Guidonia Montecelio, the event was created with the goal of promoting the local area, strengthening community bonds, and supporting the local economy. Participation is free and open to all for the parades and access to the village, with only food and drink purchases at the stalls requiring payment.

The setting: Guidonia Montecelio and Lazio

Located about twenty kilometers northeast of Rome, in the province of Rome and the heart of the Lazio region, Guidonia Montecelio is a young city founded in the 1930s around an airport and a historic flight school, which coexists with the medieval village of Montecelio perched on the hill. For this diverse community, the Carnival is one of the most important identity-defining events of the year and is part of a rich regional calendar that also includes the carnivals of Tivoli, Ronciglione, and Poggio Mirteto.