Latina Carnival
Floats, music, and entertainment in the heart of the Pontine city
About Latina Carnival
The Carnival of the Pontine capital
The Latina Carnival is the major winter festival of the capital of the Pontine province, in southern Lazio. Promoted by the Municipality of Latina through the Department of Culture and Tourism, the event transforms the city's rationalist center—Piazza del Popolo, Corso della Repubblica, and the surrounding streets—into a path of color, music, and masks, open to all and completely free of charge.
After a few years of hiatus, the parade of allegorical floats has returned as a permanent fixture on the city calendar and is now the most anticipated moment of the festival, drawing families not only from Latina but from the entire province and the rest of the Lazio region.
The allegorical floats
The heart of the festival is the parade of allegorical floats, built by local carnival associations that work for months in warehouses on the outskirts of town. The themes are largely inspired by animation and popular cinema, a choice that makes the procession particularly beloved by children. The floats travel through the city center in the afternoon, alternating with street performances.
- Majorettes and cheerleaders from local sports clubs
- Marching bands and percussion groups
- Eco Band with instruments made from recycled materials, promoting an environmental message
- Masked groups and costumed performers
More than just parades
Alongside the processions, the program expands to include days of entertainment designed for families. Piazza del Popolo hosts mascots, face painting, cosplay exhibitions, theatrical shows, and fire performances, while Corso della Repubblica welcomes themed exhibitions and concerts. In the area of the former Intendenza di Finanza, a Ferris wheel and other attractions suitable for adults and children are installed, remaining active throughout the festival period.
Along the streets of the center, you will also find the essential stalls selling carnival sweets: frappe, castagnole, and bomboloni, along with themed items, confetti, and masks.
A festival built by the city
The distinctive feature of the Latina Carnival is the choral participation of the local community. More than fifteen cultural associations, musical groups, sports clubs, and volunteer organizations collaborate on the event, in a model of celebration that is not simply organized for the city, but built together with the city. This is also why the event has taken on a strong identity role in recent years in a young city like Latina, founded in the 1930s and lacking a long history of folk traditions.
When to go
The event takes place between late January and late February, depending on the movable date of Carnival. The highlight days are those of the parades, generally on Saturday or Sunday afternoon and on Shrove Tuesday. The winter period may lead to postponements due to bad weather: it is always advisable to check for updates on the official municipal channels before traveling.
Latina Carnival — edition 2026
Four days of celebration
The 2026 Latina Carnival was presented by the Municipality as "an event designed to involve the whole city," with over fifteen local associations involved in creating the program. Mayor Matilde Celentano emphasized the desire to offer four days of events, shows, and attractions capable of drawing audiences from the entire Pontine province.
Postponement of the inaugural parade
The grand parade scheduled for Saturday, February 7, was postponed due to adverse weather conditions. The administration rescheduled the event for Sunday, February 22, when the twelve allegorical floats finally traveled through the city center, accompanied by majorettes, cheerleaders, marching bands, and the "Drum Dance & Sing" Eco Band, a group that plays with instruments made from recycled materials.
The grand finale on Shrove Tuesday
On Tuesday, February 17, the final parade crossed the center from 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM, enlivened by a DJ set by Antonello Bottolotto, Brazilian dancers and percussionists, and a foam party that brought the day to a joyful close.
Programme Latina Carnival 2026
Saturday, February 7 — postponed due to bad weather
Inaugural parade with twelve allegorical floats along the city center streets, from 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM, with majorettes, cheerleaders, marching bands, and the "Drum Dance & Sing" Eco Band. The event was postponed due to adverse weather and rescheduled for Sunday, February 22.
Sunday, February 8 — Piazza del Popolo, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Afternoon of entertainment with mascots, face painting, cosplay exhibitions, theatrical performances, and fire shows.
Sunday, February 15 — Corso della Repubblica, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Exhibition of iconic vehicles from cinema and television, including the DeLorean from "Back to the Future" and the car from "Knight Rider," with a band playing historic TV theme songs, celebrity lookalikes, Line Dance performances, and a themed motorcycle gathering.
Tuesday, February 17 — from 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Final parade of allegorical floats with a DJ set by Antonello Bottolotto, Brazilian dancers and percussionists, and a final foam party.
Sunday, February 22 — makeup date
Parade of the twelve allegorical floats in the city center, from 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM, with road closures and parking bans along the route.
Throughout the period
Ferris wheel and three additional attractions in the former Intendenza di Finanza area; stalls selling carnival sweets and themed items in the center.
Highlights Latina Carnival 2026
- Twelve allegorical floats created by local carnival associations
- "Drum Dance & Sing" Eco Band with recycled material instruments
- Exhibition of the DeLorean from "Back to the Future" and the car from "Knight Rider"
- DJ set, Brazilian dancers, and percussionists for the grand finale
- Shrove Tuesday foam party
- Ferris wheel and attractions at the former Intendenza di Finanza
Prices Latina Carnival 2026
Practical information — Latina Carnival
How to get there
By car: Latina can be reached via the SS148 Pontina (Latina exit) from Rome in about an hour, or via the SS7 Appia. During the parades, the center is closed to traffic with extensive parking bans: it is best to leave your car in peripheral parking lots and continue on foot.
By train: Latina Scalo station on the Rome-Naples line via Formia, connected to the city center (about 8 km) by urban buses.
By plane: Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino airports, both about an hour's drive away.
Prices
Free admission to all parades and performances in the square. Fairground rides and the Ferris wheel require payment according to the operators' rates.
Tips
Event suitable for families with children. Arrive a little early to find a spot along the parade route and dress warmly: the parades take place on winter afternoons, outdoors.
Information
Municipality of Latina — Department of Culture and Tourism, [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Latina Carnival
Piazza del Popolo e centro cittadino
Piazza del Popolo, 04100 Latina