Meta Carnival

A village Carnival overlooking the gulf

The Meta Carnival is the costume festival of the town of Meta, in the province of Naples, one of the six municipalities on the Sorrento Peninsula in Campania. For two days, between late February and early March depending on the liturgical calendar, the town squares fill with confetti, music, and children in costume. It is not a carnival of massive allegorical floats like the historic ones on the peninsula, but rather a community celebration: it is promoted by the municipal administration alongside local associations and schools, and the audience is primarily composed of families who live here year-round.

Two days, two squares

The successful formula of recent years is divided into two distinct events. The first, dedicated to children, takes place in the afternoon in Piazza Casale, in the upper part of the town: inflatables, balloons, soap bubbles, entertainment, and children's dancing transform the space into a small fun village. The following day is dedicated to the costume parade, which sets off in the morning from the Villa Comunale square, travels along Viale Flavio Gioia, crosses the town center, and concludes in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the civic heart of Meta, where the best costumes are awarded prizes.

A different theme every year

Each edition revolves around a theme that guides the decorations, entertainment, and competing costumes. In 2025, for example, the parade was dedicated to the Super Mario village, with prizes for costumes inspired by the character and 1990s cartoons. It is a detail that perfectly captures the spirit of the event: few frills, high participation, and an imaginary shared by parents and children alike.

• Children's afternoon in Piazza Casale: inflatables, soap bubbles, children's dancing
• Costume parade from the Villa Comunale to Piazza Vittorio Veneto
• Awards ceremony for the best themed costumes
• Free admission to all activities

Meta, between Alimuri beach and the Madonna del Lauro

With just under 8,000 inhabitants and one of the smallest areas on the peninsula, Meta is the town that many pass through every day along the SS145 highway without truly stopping. Yet, it preserves a distinct identity: the Basilica of Santa Maria del Lauro, a deeply revered Marian sanctuary that gives its name to the summer patronal feast; the Alimuri beach, the largest sandy shore on this stretch of coast; and an artisan tradition linked to nativity scene craftsmanship, showcased through cultural routes that open the masters' workshops. The Carnival fits into this calendar of events as the most playful moment of winter.

Carnival on the Sorrento Peninsula

Meta is part of a mosaic of festivities that, in the days between the Carnival weekend and Shrove Tuesday, enliven the entire coast: the historic allegorical float parade in Termini di Massa Lubrense (the longest-running on the peninsula), the grand parade in Sorrento between Piazza Andrea Veniero and Piazza Angelina Lauro, and events in Sant'Agnello, Piano di Sorrento, and Vico Equense. Those spending a few days in the area can easily build an itinerary that touches multiple towns, traveling in just a few minutes by train or bus.

When it takes place

The dates change every year because they follow the movable calendar of Lent: the Carnival can fall between the second half of February and the beginning of March. The program for Meta is usually released by the Municipality and local peninsula press a few weeks in advance, often via a flyer with times and the parade route. It is therefore advisable to check the official channels of the Municipality of Meta in the days immediately preceding the event.