The street Carnival of Cellino San Marco, featuring floats, costumes, and Salento traditions
With MascheriAmo Carnival, Cellino San Marco experiences one of its most colorful and vibrant days of the year. Located in the province of Brindisi, in the heart of Salento and Puglia, this town transforms its streets into an open-air stage filled with color, sound, and living traditions. It is a grassroots festival built by the community, which has grown over the years into a highly anticipated event for both locals and neighboring towns.
The heart of the festival is the grand parade that departs from Piazza Aldo Moro and travels through the town center before returning to the starting point. The procession features allegorical floats, costumed groups, and handmade masksโall products of the creativity and hard work of local associations, families, and especially the youth. It is a Carnival that honors local identity and the folkloric heritage of Salento, where every float tells a story and every mask adds a touch of joy to the celebration.
The parade is just the beginning: the afternoon continues with a rich entertainment program designed for all ages. Expect mascots, street performers, live shows, awards for the best costumes and groups, and a DJ set that keeps the party going until evening. It is an event particularly well-suited for children and families, offering a safe, joyful atmosphere deeply rooted in popular tradition.
MascheriAmo Carnival is organized by the Municipal Administration of Cellino San Marco in collaboration with the Pro Loco, the parish of Santi Marco e Caterina, and local associations. It is the expression of a community that loves to gather and participate, creating an entirely free event open to everyone. For those visiting Salento during the Carnival season, it is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic and festive side of Puglia, far from the main tourist crowds.
The 2026 edition of MascheriAmo Carnival was held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Cellino San Marco, in the province of Brindisi. The costumed groups gathered in Piazza Aldo Moro, from where the parade departed at 3:00 PM to travel through the streets of the center.
The fourth edition celebrated local identity through the creativity of the youth, the participation of families, and the folkloric heritage of the Salento region. Upon returning to the square, the afternoon continued with a final show featuring entertainment, mascots, street performers, award ceremonies, and a DJ set. The event, free and open to all, was organized by the Municipal Administration together with the Pro Loco, the parish of Santi Marco e Caterina, and local associations.
The gathering point and parade departure are in Piazza Aldo Moro, in the center of Cellino San Marco (province of Brindisi). The route winds through the town center before returning to the square, where the final shows and award ceremonies take place.
The event takes place on a single day during the Carnival period, usually on a Sunday afternoon starting at 3:00 PM.
The event is free and open to all, making it ideal for families and children.
Cellino San Marco can be reached by car via the SS7 ter and the SS613 Brindisi-Lecce roads, and is served by a train station on the Adriatic line. During the parade, some streets in the center may be closed to traffic: we recommend parking in the areas surrounding the town center.
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Piazza Aldo Moro
Piazza Aldo Moro, 72020 Cellino San Marco