Martinsicuro Carnival

Carnival on the Teramo coast

The Martinsicuro Carnival is one of the most anticipated popular events on the northern coast of Abruzzo. Every year, between the end of winter and the beginning of spring, the streets of the town of Martinsicuro and its Villa Rosa district, in the province of Teramo, fill with color, confetti, and music for the traditional parade of allegorical floats and costumed groups. Known as the "Truentino Carnival," it takes its name from the Tronto River, the natural border between Abruzzo and the Marche region.

Allegorical floats and costumed groups

The heart of the festival lies in the large papier-mâché floats, built over months of hard work by local neighborhoods, associations, and committees. Each float tells a different story, ranging from fantasy and cinema to cartoons and current events, and parades accompanied by costumed performers, choreography, and music. Alongside the floats, costumed groups—often featuring smaller allegorical structures—take part in the parade, engaging children and local families in particular.

Two days, two locations

The event is traditionally split into two distinct appointments: a parade in the Villa Rosa district and one in the center of Martinsicuro. The processions travel through the main streets, from the seafront to the town center, involving both communities and offering residents and visitors two opportunities to celebrate just a few days apart.

Who organizes the festival

The event is promoted by the MartinVilla Association, chaired by Michelle Censori, with the patronage of the Martinsicuro municipal administration and in collaboration with neighborhood committees. The contribution of the many volunteers who dedicate their time and energy every year to building the floats and organizing the parade is essential, keeping a deeply rooted community tradition alive.

An event for the whole community

More than just an event, the Martinsicuro Carnival represents a moment of gathering for the entire Abruzzo town. Families watch the floats pass along the streets, children dress up and join the costumed groups, and a festive atmosphere enlivens the town center and the seafront. It is a free, open-air festival that combines carnival tradition with local life and the tourist appeal of the Teramo coast.

• Where: Martinsicuro and the Villa Rosa district (province of Teramo, Abruzzo)
• When: During the Carnival period, between February and March
• What: Parade of allegorical floats and costumed groups
• Admission: Free