Manziana Carnival

A village festival in the heart of the Roman Tuscia

The Manziana Carnival is the most anticipated winter event in Manziana, a town of about seven thousand residents nestled in the Sabatini Mountains, within the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, in the Lazio region. Located just a few kilometers from Lake Bracciano and the famous Macchia Grande forest, the town transforms its historic center into an open-air stage where carnival traditions blend with the local community's social life.

The heart of the event: Piazza Tommaso Tittoni

The festival's hub is Piazza Tommaso Tittoni, the main square of Manziana, named after the statesman who shaped local history. This is where the floats, costumed groups, and crowds gather for an afternoon that typically begins in the early afternoon and continues until sunset. The traditional meeting point for the masquerade is the Brasili cellar, from which the procession sets off before parading through the town center.

Allegorical floats and costumed groups

The float parades are the most spectacular part of the event. Built during the winter months by groups of volunteers, local associations, and families, the floats bring original and often ironic themes to the square, poking fun at current events and village life. They are accompanied by costumed groups featuring imaginative outfits and carefully choreographed performances.

• Allegorical float parade through the center of Manziana
• Costumed groups for both adults and children
• Competition for the most original costume, with an awards ceremony in the square
• Live music and dancing to liven up the square
• Food stalls featuring local specialties and traditional Carnival sweets

Carnival flavors

As is the case throughout Lazio, the culinary aspect is a highlight. The stalls set up for the occasion offer traditional fried sweets of the season—especially frappe (or chiacchiere) and castagnole—alongside products from the Sabatini Mountains area. It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy home-style cooking in a convivial, open-air, and free setting.

A community-driven event

The Manziana Carnival is organized by the Pro Loco Manziana with the patronage and support of the Municipality of Manziana, and involves the collaboration of numerous local associations, including the town's marching band. It is not an event designed for mass tourism; it is a festival born from the village, for the village, which is precisely why it retains an authentic character that visitors truly appreciate.

Why you should attend

Visitors from Rome or the surrounding towns—Bracciano, Canale Monterano, Oriolo Romano, Anguillara Sabazia—will find a family-friendly festival with free admission, a manageable scale, and a welcoming atmosphere. The day can easily be combined with a walk in the Macchia Grande forest or a visit to nearby Lake Bracciano, making the Carnival the perfect excuse to discover a corner of Lazio still off the beaten path.

When it takes place

The Manziana Carnival is traditionally held on Sundays during the carnival period, between February and March, with one or more parade days depending on the year's liturgical calendar. The final dates are announced by the Pro Loco and the Municipality in the weeks leading up to the event via official channels and social media.