Mirabella Carnival «Mira… che maschera!»

A village Carnival in the heart of Irpinia

The Mirabella Carnival «Mira… che maschera!» is the celebration that, on Carnival Sunday, fills the streets of Mirabella Eclano with color. This town of just over six thousand inhabitants in the province of Avellino, in the heart of Irpinia, Campania, offers a community-focused event rather than a parade of monumental floats. Designed primarily for families and local children, it turns the town center into an open-air stage for a few hours.

The procession, from Piazza San Francesco to Piazza XXIV Maggio

The highlight of the day is the costumed parade. The procession gathers in Piazza San Francesco and travels through the town center to Piazza XXIV Maggio, where the final part of the celebration takes place. Along the route, masked groups, music, and street performers mingle with the crowd; the public does not just watch from the sidewalk but walks alongside the procession, blurring the line between participants and spectators.

Jesters, music, and Carnival treats

Once the parade ends, the party continues in the square with performances by jesters and stalls dedicated to classic Carnival flavors: cotton candy and popcorn for the little ones, along with music and entertainment for everyone. It is the most anticipated moment for children, who can wander between the stalls in a completely family-friendly environment.

The costume contest

The climax of the afternoon is the awards ceremony for the most original costumes. The contest includes several categories, designed to reward both the craftsmanship of the costume and the creativity and humor behind it:

• the best costume;
• the funniest/ugliest costume, an unmissable and highly competitive category;
• the best masked group;
• the best-dressed boy and girl.

The awards ceremony closes the day and serves as an opportunity to bring families, associations, and curious visitors together in the square.

Who organizes the festival

The event is promoted by the Vivi Mirabella association, which works alongside the Santa Maria Maggiore Parish and the Santa Chiara Oratory. The initiative is made possible thanks to the support of the Municipal Administration of Mirabella Eclano and the presence of local volunteer associations, ANPAS and Misericordia, which ensure safety during the procession. It is a typical Irpinian organizational model: limited resources, hard volunteer work, and strong participation from local parish and civic entities, with the declared goal of involving families and citizens in an event that blends tradition and community spirit.

Mirabella Eclano, a town of traditions

Mirabella Eclano is no stranger to major popular festivals. The town is known throughout Campania for the Tirata del Carro, a twenty-five-meter-tall woven straw obelisk that is dragged through the streets by pairs of oxen every September in honor of Maria Santissima Addolorata: one of the most impressive Italian "grain festivals." Alongside the archaeological heritage of Aeclanum, the ancient Roman city that gives the town its name, the Carnival represents the other side of Mirabellese community life—lighter and more domestic, yet equally cherished.

Why it is worth visiting

«Mira… che maschera!» is the perfect festival for those seeking an authentic, no-frills Carnival, far from the crowds of more famous events. In a single day, you can walk through the center of an Irpinian village, witness a popular procession featuring mostly homemade costumes, and enjoy music and jesters in the square. Those traveling in the area can combine the visit with the Aeclanum archaeological park and a food and wine stop among the vineyards of Irpinia, land of Taurasi, Greco di Tufo, and Fiano di Avellino.