Mid-Lent Carnivals

A Second Carnival Mid-Lent

In Lucrezia, a hamlet of the Municipality of Cartoceto in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, the party doesn't end with Fat Tuesday. The Mid-Lent Carnivals are a charming popular custom that brings masks, confetti, and joy back to the square just as Lent reaches its midpoint, in anticipation of Easter. It's an event rooted in the rural tradition of the Marche region, where the middle of the Lenten period was interrupted by a moment of collective celebration.

Where and When

The event takes place in Lucrezia di Cartoceto, in the central Piazza Giovanni Paolo II, on a Sunday afternoon in March. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026, starting at 3:00 PM, with free admission. The square and the town's streets transform into a large, child-friendly outdoor celebration space.

Allegorical Floats, Masks, and Entertainment

The heart of the day is the parade of allegorical floats and masked groups, accompanied by the parade of masked groups featuring students from the Marco Polo Comprehensive Institute, bringing fantasy, irony, and original costumes to the square. Around the parade, a rich program of entertainment is offered, especially for children:

• Pompieropoli, a fun-educational course that allows children to play firefighters for a day, with challenges, games, and interactive activities;
• the information campaign Io non rischio (I Don't Risk) with Civil Protection;
• baby dance and entertainment with Monkey Animation;
• face painting, temporary tattoos, and balloon modeling.

The Easter Egg Drop

The symbolic and most anticipated moment is the traditional sky-drop of thousands of chocolate Easter eggs and sweets, which fall upon the audience along the route in Lucrezia: a rain of treats that delights both young and old, ideally linking Carnival to the upcoming Easter.

A Community Celebration

The Mid-Lent Carnivals are organized by the Pro Loco Cartoceto with the patronage of the Municipality of Cartoceto and the involvement of numerous local associations. More than a show, it's an occasion for the community of Lucrezia and the entire Metauro valley to come together, within the context of the Marche region: an example of how popular traditions can renew themselves while remaining deeply rooted in their local area.