Mascherina d'Argento

Half a century of Carnival in San Nicola la Strada

The Mascherina d'Argento is the quintessential Carnival event in San Nicola la Strada, a town in the province of Caserta, Campania. Born in the seventies from an idea by the late Pierino Fusco, a historic figure in the town's cultural life, the event has accompanied over half a century of local festivities. In 2026, it reached the milestone of its 50th edition, although 52 years have actually passed since the first evening, due to a suspension during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A masquerade parade dedicated to children

The heart of Mascherina d'Argento is the costume parade for the little ones, divided by age groups. One by one, the children step onto the stage, are introduced to the audience, and show off the Carnival outfits prepared—often by hand—by their families: princesses and superheroes, traditional Neapolitan masks, and costumes born from parental imagination. It is a ritual that involves both the children and the adults in the audience, attracting participants every year not only from the town but from the entire province of Caserta.

• Strictly free registration for children
• Participation divided by age groups
• Open to children from San Nicola la Strada and the entire Caserta area
• Prizes, trophies, and sweets for all participants
• Free admission for the public

Not a competition, but a celebration

The philosophy of the event is openly declared by the organizers: Mascherina d'Argento is not a competition. There are no podiums or losers, and every child who parades receives an award. The goal is for each participant to feel like the star of the evening, in a moment of shared participation, joy, and fun for both young and old. This choice, maintained with consistency for decades, has made the event a piece of collective identity for the local community.

Evenings and venues

Over the years, the final evening has changed venues several times, always remaining indoors—a guarantee against the cold and rain of February. In 2019, the 44th edition took place at the Teatro Plauto, with about sixty children in a friendly parade, a performance by a local dance school, and a magic show. The same theater hosted the 47th edition in 2023, the first after the Covid break, enriched by performances from students of the local Mazzini and De Filippo schools. The 50th edition was hosted on February 15, 2026, at the Teatro Pirandello in San Nicola la Strada.

The people behind the event

While the original idea belongs to Pierino Fusco, Enzo Di Nuzzo is the patron who has kept Mascherina d'Argento alive for years, overseeing the organization, registrations, and direction of the evening. Hosting duties are entrusted to the family: in recent years, Luisa Di Nuzzo and Maria Teresa Di Nuzzo have presented. Around them revolves a network of associations, dance schools, and local volunteer groups that collaborate on the program from time to time.

Carnival in Terra di Lavoro

San Nicola la Strada, overlooking Caserta and the Vanvitellian Royal Palace, is part of the area of Campania historically called Terra di Lavoro, where Carnival remains a deeply popular festival made of masks, fried sweets, and neighborhood gatherings. In this context, Mascherina d'Argento occupies a special place: not a procession of allegorical floats, but an intimate and familiar theater celebration designed specifically for childhood. For those visiting the area in February, it is an opportunity to see the Caserta Carnival in its most authentic version, far from large tourist events.

When and for whom

The event traditionally falls during the Carnival period, between February and early March, with a single evening, usually on a Sunday. It is aimed at preschool and primary school children—in 2026, those born between 2015 and 2024 could register—and families. Those arriving from outside can combine the evening with a visit to the Royal Palace of Caserta, just a few kilometers away.