Maddaloni Carnival
Papier-mâché floats, parades, and free shows in the heart of Maddaloni
About Maddaloni Carnival
The Carnival that gave the city back its festival
The Maddaloni Carnival is now one of the most anticipated events in the winter calendar of the province of Caserta. It all began with a group of friends who, having formed the social promotion association APS "Carnevale Maddalonese", decided to restore to Maddaloni a popular tradition that was at risk of fading away. Since then, the association has worked year-round: raising funds, involving schools and local organizations, and above all, building—shed by shed—the allegorical floats that invade the city streets every February.
The event is organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Maddaloni and takes place under the patronage of the Campania Region and the Caserta Provincial Administration. Over the years, the Maddaloni Carnival has become one of Italy's recognized carnivals, a milestone that holds significant identity value for a city of just over thirty thousand inhabitants.
Allegorical floats and the lesson from the masters of Viareggio
The heart of the festival is the papier-mâché allegorical floats, crafted entirely by Maddaloni volunteers. The quality of the construction has grown thanks to a direct relationship with the master papier-mâché artists of the Viareggio Carnival: the builders from Maddaloni traveled to Versilia to exchange ideas on construction methods, modeling techniques, and the organization of a carnival itself. That dialogue is evident in the articulated structures, mechanical movements, and large-scale figures that parade along Via Napoli.
Alongside the main floats, masked groups, marching bands, and local dance schools parade, while the traditional handing over of the keys to the city to King Carnival, presented by the mayor, symbolically marks the beginning of the festivities at the "Franco Imposimato" Municipal Villa.
A program designed for families
One of the hallmarks of the Maddaloni Carnival is its commitment to free admission: parades, concerts, circus performances, entertainment, and cabaret are always free to the public. The schedule alternates between different moments:
- Inauguration with the arrival of the floats and the handing over of the keys to King Carnival;
- Allegorical float parades in the afternoon, starting from Via Napoli towards the central squares;
- Days dedicated to schools and associations, featuring performances by local comprehensive schools;
- Evening shows with nationally renowned artists, comedy, and live music;
- Grand finale on Shrove Tuesday, with a closing parade, lottery prize drawing, and musical show.
Maddaloni, between the Tifatini Mountains and the Maddaloni Valley
At the foot of the Tifatini Mountains, just a few kilometers from the Royal Palace of Caserta, Maddaloni preserves a historic center dominated by castles and a heritage that includes the nearby Maddaloni Valley with the Bridges of the Carolino Aqueduct, a UNESCO-recognized site. The Carnival traverses this urban fabric, from the Municipal Villa to historic squares such as Piazza don Salvatore d'Angelo and Piazza della Vittoria, transforming the city's traffic routes into a long open-air stage.
Why it's worth visiting
Those who arrive in Maddaloni during the Carnival days will find an authentically popular festival, far removed from the logic of large, paid events. It is a neighborhood and community carnival, where children in masks, dance schools, volunteer associations, and papier-mâché artists all share the same procession. For those visiting Campania in winter, it is also an opportunity to discover a center in the Caserta province that rarely appears on traditional tourist itineraries, and to do so at the most vibrant moment of its year.
Maddaloni Carnival — edition 2026
Eleventh edition: four days of celebration
The 2026 Maddaloni Carnival, presented at a press conference on January 19th at the ex-Macello Multifunctional Center on Via Napoli, offered a calendar spread over four major events between February 8th and 17th. The organization was handled by the APS Carnevale Maddalonese together with the Municipality of Maddaloni, under the patronage of the Campania Region and the Caserta Provincial Administration.
As per tradition, the allegorical floats were built by volunteers throughout the year thanks to the collaboration with the master papier-mâché artists of the Viareggio Carnival. Six floats participated in the final parade, joined by a surprise float built in just a few days by the newly formed APS "Eventi Santa Sofia".
An edition that overcame bad weather
Although rain forced the postponement of some evening shows, thousands of people crowded the city streets, with visitors arriving from all over the province of Caserta. All events were free of charge.
Programme Maddaloni Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 8th, 2026 — "Franco Imposimato" Municipal Villa
- Official opening with the arrival of the allegorical floats
- Symbolic handing over of the city keys to King Carnival by the mayor
- In the evening: concert by the Canta Napoli Band
Saturday, February 14th, 2026 — 3:30 PM, departure from Via Napoli
- Grand parade of allegorical floats with masked groups and music
- Choreographies by local dance schools
- Cabaret show "Sex and Sud" (from the cast of Made in Sud)
Sunday, February 15th, 2026 — Schools and families day
- Performance by students of the I.C. "Maddaloni 2 – Valle"
- Entertainment and shows for children
- In the evening: show by Gianluca Manzieri
Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 — Grand finale of Shrove Tuesday
- Closing parade of allegorical floats between the "Imposimato" Municipal Villa and Piazza don Salvatore d'Angelo
- Performances by the three Maddaloni dance schools: Dancesport Academy, L'Arte del Movimento, and Accademia dei Talenti
- Live show Mixed by Erry & Ida Piccoli
- Carnival lottery prize drawing
Some evening shows were postponed due to bad weather and rescheduled for the following days.
Highlights Maddaloni Carnival 2026
- Eleventh edition of the event, from February 8th to 17th, 2026
- Six papier-mâché allegorical floats built by volunteers, plus a surprise float by APS "Eventi Santa Sofia"
- Handing over of the city keys to King Carnival at the "Franco Imposimato" Municipal Villa
- Saturday afternoon parade starting from Via Napoli
- "Sex and Sud" cabaret and Gianluca Manzieri show
- Grand finale with Mixed by Erry & Ida Piccoli and lottery drawing
- Three local dance schools in the parade: Dancesport Academy, L'Arte del Movimento, Accademia dei Talenti
Prices Maddaloni Carnival 2026
Practical information — Maddaloni Carnival
How to get there
By car: Take the Caserta Sud exit on the A30 Caserta-Salerno motorway or the Caserta Nord exit on the A1, then follow the SS 265 towards Maddaloni. During the parade days, the city center is closed to traffic: it is advisable to leave your car in the peripheral areas and reach Via Napoli on foot.
By train: The Maddaloni Inferiore station is served by regional connections between Naples, Caserta, and Benevento; the Maddaloni Superiore station serves the line to Cancello. From both stations, the center can be reached in a few minutes.
By plane: Naples-Capodichino Airport is approximately 30 km away.
Admission and costs
All parades and shows are free. A Carnival lottery is held, with prizes drawn on the final day.
Useful tips
- Parades start in the early afternoon: arriving a little early helps you find a good spot along the route.
- The event is suitable for children, with dedicated entertainment areas.
- The program may be subject to changes in case of bad weather: it is advisable to check for updates on the official social media channels of the APS Carnevale Maddalonese.
- Nearby, you can visit the Royal Palace of Caserta and the Bridges of the Carolino Aqueduct.
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Where does it take place — Maddaloni Carnival
Villa Comunale "Franco Imposimato" e centro cittadino