Lizzano Carnival

The Lizzano Carnival, the masquerade festival of the Salento area near Taranto

Every February, Lizzano—a small town in the province of Taranto overlooking the Murge hills as they slope toward the Ionian Sea—dresses up for the Lizzano Carnival. In 2026, the event celebrates its fifth edition: a deeply rooted community tradition that brings families, children, and masked groups into the streets with confetti, streamers, and plenty of music. The event is organized by the Municipality of Lizzano, through the Secretariat, Sports, Entertainment, and Culture office, and is designed to involve the entire town.

Two days of parades through the town streets

The Carnival takes place over two days. The masquerade parade begins in the afternoon: participants gather at a meeting point and, to the sound of festive music, make their way through the streets of the center until they reach the heart of the village. The grand finale is held in Piazza Matteotti, Lizzano's main square, where the party continues with music and entertainment until the evening. It is an authentic village Carnival that favors spontaneous participation and shared joy over the large allegorical floats of more famous events.

An event open to everyone

The strength of the Lizzano Carnival lies in its popular and inclusive nature: admission is free and the event is open to all, from the little ones parading in their colorful costumes to the adults animating the group masks. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the festive atmosphere of Carnival in Salento, in a village with an authentically Salentine soul in terms of dialect, culture, and traditions.

Lizzano, between wine and Salentine traditions

Hosting the Carnival is also a way to discover Lizzano, a town known for its winemaking vocation: it is part of the Città del Vino (City of Wine) association and is home to the Lizzano DOC designation, recognized in 1988. It is no coincidence that one of the festival days kicks off near the historic Cantina Sociale. Lizzano's calendar of traditions is rich: from the Carnival, one moves on, a few weeks later, to the famous Tavole di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph's Tables), another deeply felt custom of Salento. One more reason to combine the masquerade festival with the discovery of a genuine corner of the province of Taranto, in Puglia.