Matera Carnival

Carnival Among the Stones of the Sassi

Few settings can restore to Carnival its ancestral strength like the Sassi di Matera. Here, the masked parade is not just a celebration, but a meeting between the oldest carnival traditions of Basilicata and the South, on a route that crosses the historic center to the rupestrian landscapes of Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.

'The Colors of the Mediterranean'

The 2026 edition, scheduled for February 8th, has the theme 'The Colors of the Mediterranean', in line with the year Matera is the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue. The procession starts from Piazza Vittorio Veneto, in front of the Palazzo dell'Annunziata, and runs along Via del Corso, Via Ridola, and Via Buozzi to Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, where the celebration reaches its peak before returning.

Lucanian Anthropological Carnivals

The strength of the Matera Carnival lies in the encounter between groups and traditions: the musicians of Cupa Cupé led by Claudio Mola, the anthropological carnivals of Teana and Lavello, and the summer carnivals of Crispiano and Ferrandina. Masks, cowbells, music, and dances embody a heritage of popular traditions that the South proudly preserves.

A Community Celebration

Organized by the Municipality of Matera with the Cupa Cupé Association and local partners, the Carnival is a day of collective participation that unites citizens, groups, and visitors in one of Italy's most recognizable settings.