Montescaglioso Carnival
The oldest carnival in Basilicata: allegorical floats, historical masks, and Carnevalone
About Montese Carnival
The oldest carnival in Basilicata
In Montescaglioso, a village overlooking the Parco della Murgia Materana, Carnival is not just a festival: it is an identity heritage that dates back to the 17th century. Recognized among the historical carnivals in Italy and considered the oldest in Basilicata, Montescaglioso Carnival stages a tradition of papier-mâché, satire, archaic masks, and peasant rituals every winter.
Allegorical floats and historical masks
The heart of the event are the large allegorical floats created by local groups, which parade through the village streets with elaborate sets and biting satire on current events. Alongside the floats, traditional masks survive: the Carnevalone, the Quaremma (a somber figure announcing Lent), and U Fus (the Spindle), archaic symbols of a rural world that the carnival keeps alive. Linked to these is the ritual of 'U Zit e a Zit', the carnival wedding that mocks popular weddings.
From Carnevalone to the Laser Show
The festival unfolds over several days, with parades, a carnival village, street food, costume contests, and DJ sets with nationally renowned guests. The most evocative moment is the dawn of the Carnevalone, when the Pro Loco groups liven up the village from the early morning hours, leading to the grand finale with the Laser Show, the funeral of the Carnival, and the burning pyre that symbolically closes the cycle.
Montescaglioso, between the abbey and the Murgia
Organized by the Pro Loco of Montescaglioso with the support of the Municipality and the Province of Matera, the Montescaglioso Carnival is an event that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the region. Experiencing it also means discovering Montescaglioso, with its splendid Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo and the landscape of the Murgia Park, just a few kilometers from Matera.
Montese Carnival — edition 2026
The 67th edition of the Montescaglioso Carnival enlivens the village from February 7 to 17, 2026, unfolding on February 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Four float groups (Matti da Saldare, Ragazzi Fuori, Maghi della Cartapesta, and La Capa Gira) bring their papier-mâché creations to the streets, featuring parades, a carnival village, baby costume contests, and DJ sets with nationally renowned guests, from Cristiano Malgioglio to Dino Brown and Rudeejay. The historical masks of Carnevalone, Quaremma, and U Fus accompany the ritual of 'U Zit e a Zit', leading up to the grand finale on February 17.
Programme Montese Carnival 2026
Program for the 67th edition (times and main locations: Via Santa Lucia, Piazza Roma, Viale Kennedy, Viale Giovanni XXIII):
Saturday, February 7
- 6:00 PM - Via Santa Lucia: Inaugural ceremony with LED dancer show
- 7:00 PM - First parade of allegorical floats (Matti da Saldare, Ragazzi Fuori, Maghi della Cartapesta, La Capa Gira)
Sunday, February 8
- 10:00 AM - Viale Giovanni XXIII: Street band and float parade
- 12:00 PM - Mascot parade with group dances
- 4:00 PM - Piazza Roma: Shows and parade
- 5:00 PM - Viale Kennedy: Carnival Village (attractions, street food, circus)
- 8:00 PM - Baby Costume Contest
- 10:00 PM - DJ set The Funky Soul Story and Chica Mala
Saturday, February 14
- 5:30 PM - Viale Kennedy: Village opens
- 6:30 PM - Via Santa Lucia: Floats depart
- 9:00 PM - DJ set with guests Dino Brown, Rudeejay and Header
Sunday, February 15
- 10:00 AM - Via Santa Lucia: Mascot and float parade
- 12:30 PM - Piazza Roma: Brazilian shows
- 4:00 PM - Street band and float parade
- 8:00 PM - Baby Costume Contest Finale
- 8:30 PM - DJ set De Xenia and Rossella Dipierro + guest Cristiano Malgioglio
Monday, February 16
- 7:00 PM - Traditional events: wedding processions, civil wedding ('U Zit e a Zit'), breaking of the pignata
- 9:00 PM - Futura Band Live
Tuesday, February 17
- 6:00 AM - Carnevalone (Pro Loco parade at dawn)
- 12:00 PM - Piazza Roma: Groups gather
- 6:00 PM - Viale Kennedy: Laser Show
- 6:30 PM - Float parade
- 9:00 PM - Funeral of the Carnival and burning pyre
- 10:00 PM - Awards ceremony and DJ set Rocco D'Elicio (Back to '90/'2000)
Highlights Montese Carnival 2026
Prices Montese Carnival 2026
Practical information — Montese Carnival
How to get there: Montescaglioso is about 20 km from Matera and is reachable via the SS175; bus connections from the provincial capital on festival days.
Admission: parades and street events are free; some attractions in the carnival village may have a fee.
Accommodation: wide range of accommodation available in Matera and surrounding areas; booking recommended during the Carnival period.
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Where does it take place — Montese Carnival
Centro storico