Montalcino Carnival

The Carnival of the Brunello Village

In the heart of the Val d'Orcia, in the province of Siena, Montalcino celebrates its Carnival every February, a popular festival deeply rooted in the identity of the four Quarters that drive the town's social life: Travaglio, Borghetto, Ruga, and Pianello. These same districts, which compete in the autumn during the famous Sagra del Tordo, come together during the week before Lent to transform their social clubs and historic town squares into hubs of play, costumes, and shared joy.

A festival for the little ones

The Montalcino Carnival is, above all, a celebration for children and families. Each Quarter opens its doors for an afternoon of entertainment, snacks, and dressing up, following a schedule that spans the entire week. It begins with the Children's Masked Carnival, where the little ones parade in their most imaginative costumes, followed by parties and masquerade balls that involve all four districts in turn. Evenings at the historic district clubs round off the festivities with music, costume awards, and social gatherings for adults.

The grand finale: Shrove Tuesday and the Costolone

The most anticipated moment arrives on Shrove Tuesday, when the Carnival moves to the scenic Piazza del Popolo, beneath the Palazzo dei Priori. In the afternoon, school children parade in costume, while the evening features the most heartfelt tradition: the burning of the Costolone. This puppet, representing the Carnival, is set ablaze to symbolically mark the end of the season and the arrival of Lent. A procession accompanies the puppet to the square, where the bonfire is followed by music and the distribution of crogetti, the traditional fried sweets of this time of year.

The spirit of the Quarters

What makes the Montalcino Carnival special is its deep connection to the district spirit. In Montalcino, the Quarters are not just administrative divisions, but true communities with a strong identity built on belonging, tradition, and healthy rivalry. Even during Carnival, each district leaves its mark by organizing parties, snacks, and celebrations that strengthen bonds between residents and pass down an ancient, beloved ritual to new generations.

Carnival and culinary tradition

Like every Montalcino festival, Carnival is an opportunity to gather around the table. Alongside the traditional sweets of the season, the Quarters preserve recipes linked to their own food festivals, from polenta and crostini to the dishes of Sienese peasant cuisine. A visit to Montalcino during these days allows you to combine the warmth of a popular festival with the charm of one of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany, home of Brunello and overlooking the stunning landscape of the Val d'Orcia.