Montemurlo Carnival

The Montemurlo Children's Carnival

The Montemurlo Carnival, also known as the Montemurlese Carnival, is one of the most beloved winter events in the municipality of Montemurlo, located in the heart of Tuscany near Prato. Established in 1978 in the district of Bagnolo, it has grown to involve the entire municipal area, becoming a popular tradition that is renewed every year with great participation from families and children.

Three Sundays, three districts

The festival's format is well-established: rather than being concentrated in a single day, the Carnival is spread over three Sunday afternoons, rotating through the squares of the town's districts. It begins in Oste at Piazza Amendola, continues in the center of Montemurlo at Piazza della Repubblica—the pedestrian area in front of the town hall—and concludes in Bagnolo at the Circolo Arci Gino Gelli, where it all began. Each stop brings live music, entertainment for children, confetti, and streamers to the town streets.

A festival designed for children

In recent years, the event has taken on a character primarily dedicated to children: large allegorical float parades have been suspended for safety and certification reasons, replaced by lively square entertainment featuring performers, musicians, flag-wavers, and choirs. It is a family-friendly Carnival where little ones can dress up and have fun in an intimate and welcoming setting.

Music, entertainment, and tradition

The heart of the festival is the musical entertainment, entrusted each year to pairs of entertainers and local groups. There is no shortage of performances by the Historical Group with musicians and flag-wavers, choirs, the local philharmonic, and various shows that bring the squares to life. At every stop, refreshment points are set up offering traditional Carnival sweets, from frittelle (fritters) to cenci (pastry ribbons), to accompany the festive afternoon.

A deep-rooted local event

Organized by the Circolo Arci Gino Gelli in collaboration with the Municipality of Montemurlo and a network of local associations, the Montemurlo Carnival is much more than an event: it is an opportunity for the community to meet, a way to enjoy the squares together, and to pass on the joy of Tuscan folk festivals to the younger generation. Admission to all activities is free.