Maccarese Carnival

A young festival that has already become a coastal tradition

Born just a few years ago on the initiative of the Pro Loco Fregene-Maccarese, the Maccarese Carnival has quickly established itself as one of the most beloved events in the village of Maccarese, within the Municipality of Fiumicino (Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio). In just a few editions, the parade has grown from a neighborhood initiative into an event capable of attracting over two thousand five hundred people, becoming the first appointment in the municipality's rich carnival calendar, which continues in Passoscuro, Testa di Lepre, Fiumicino, and Fregene.

The parade along Viale Castel San Giorgio

The heart of the event is the parade of allegorical floats, which sets off in the early afternoon from Via Giovanna Reggiani. The procession travels along Viale Castel San Giorgio, the village's main artery, to conclude in the park adjacent to the Maccarese parish, where the festivities continue until sunset. Alongside the floats, costumed groups, school children, bands, and roving musicians march, while past editions have also featured stilt walkers, flag-wavers, and vintage cars and Vespas.

A carnival designed for families

The Maccarese Carnival is a free and deeply popular festival: no tickets, no grandstands, just the street and the participation of the locals. Children are the true stars, surrounded by confetti, streamers, improvised costumes, and floats firing clouds of colored paper. Along the route and in the arrival area, there are rides and attractions for children, food trucks, and stalls offering fried foods, carnival sweets, and specialties from the Lazio coast.

The setting: Maccarese and the Roman countryside

Maccarese is an agricultural village located between Fregene and the Roman countryside, a few kilometers from the sea and Fiumicino airport. It is a territory marked by the great land reclamation projects of the 20th century, with its Castello di San Giorgio, agricultural estates, and the nearby Macchiagrande natural oasis. In this context, the carnival takes on a strong sense of identity: it is the moment when the community, often divided between commuting to Rome and village life, gathers on the same street. The patronage of the Municipality of Fiumicino and the habitual presence of city authorities at the start confirm the civic role of the event.

What to expect

• Parade of themed allegorical floats, created by local associations and groups
• Costumed groups and school classes in costume
• Roving music and entertainment along the entire route
• Rides and attractions for children in the arrival park
• Food trucks and stalls with sweet and savory specialties
• Completely free admission

When to go

The event takes place between late January and early February, marking the start of the Fiumicino Carnival calendar. Dates may be subject to change in case of bad weather: it has happened before that the parade was postponed by a week. It is therefore advisable to check for confirmation on the channels of the Pro Loco Fregene-Maccarese and the Municipality of Fiumicino in the days leading up to the event.