Olympic Carnival of Merate
Edition 2026 Street arts Folk traditions Folklore

Olympic Carnival of Merate

Masks and parade in the heart of Brianza lecchese

Merate — Lecco (097)
Dates 21 Feb โ€” 21 Feb 2026
Location Merate (097)
Prices โ€”
Status Confirmed

About Carnival of Merate

The Carnival of Merate is the masked festival that every year enlivens the center of the Municipality in the Province of Lecco, in the heart of Brianza lecchese. Organized by Pro Loco Merate APS, it features a costume parade in Piazza Prinetti, with prizes for the most beautiful masked groups, followed by a lively masked dinner at the Teodolinda Social Center. For 2026, the Carnival is tinged with Olympic colors, dedicating the edition to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics: a day of color, games, and entertainment for families and children.

The Carnival of Merate: color and tradition in Brianza

In the Municipality of Merate, in the Province of Lecco, Carnival has always been an anticipated event that fills the city center with color. Organized by Pro Loco Merate APS, the event combines the tradition of the masked parade with the fun of the convivial evening, involving adults and children.

The parade in Piazza Prinetti

The heart of the festival is the masked parade in Piazza Prinetti, the focal point of Merate's historic center. Masked groups, families, and children liven up the square with their costumes, and the three most beautiful groups are awarded prizes. It is a participatory moment that involves the entire community in a joyful atmosphere.

The masked dinner at Teodolinda

The afternoon parade is followed by the evening at the Teodolinda Social Center, with an aperitif, masked dinner, and entertainment. A formula that transforms Carnival into a complete festival, capable of accompanying participants from the afternoon until evening, with games and entertainment moments.

An Olympic-themed edition

For 2026, the Carnival of Merate chooses a current theme, dedicating the edition to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the sporting event that will focus the spotlight on Lombardy in those very months. Masks and groups are thus inspired by the Olympic spirit, in a Carnival that intertwines Brianza tradition with the great festival of sport.

Carnival of Merate โ€” edition 2026

The 2026 Olympic Carnival of Merate takes place on Saturday, February 21: a themed parade for the Milan-Cortina Olympics in Piazza Prinetti (meeting at 2:00 PM, parade at 2:30 PM) with prizes for the best groups, followed by an aperitif, masked dinner, and games at the Teodolinda Social Center.

The 2026 edition of the Carnival of Merate, organized by Pro Loco Merate APS, takes place on Saturday, February 21 with a theme dedicated to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The afternoon is dedicated to the masked parade in Piazza Prinetti, with awards for the three best groups; the evening continues at the Teodolinda Social Center with aperitif, masked dinner, and an evening of Olympic-themed games and entertainment.

Programme Carnival of Merate 2026

Saturday, February 21

  • 2:00 PM โ€” Meeting of participants
  • 2:30 PM โ€” Masked parade in Piazza Prinetti, with prizes for the three best groups
  • 6:30 PM โ€” Aperitif at the Teodolinda Social Center
  • 7:30 PM โ€” Masked dinner
  • 8:30 PM โ€” "The craziest Olympics in the world!", games and entertainment evening

Highlights Carnival of Merate 2026

The Milan-Cortina Olympics-themed masked parade in Piazza Prinetti and the masked dinner with games at the Teodolinda Center.

Prices Carnival of Merate 2026

Parade is free. Dinner (excluding aperitif): residents โ‚ฌ16 adults / โ‚ฌ13 children; non-residents โ‚ฌ18 adults / โ‚ฌ15 children. Reservation at 331 2357489.

Practical information — Carnival of Merate

How to get there

Merate is located in the Province of Lecco, in Brianza lecchese, served by the Cernusco-Merate train station on the Milan-Lecco line. By car, it can be reached from the SS342. The parade takes place in Piazza Prinetti, the evening at the Teodolinda Social Center (Piazza Don Minzoni 5).

Reservations

The parade is free to enter. For the masked dinner, reservations are required (phone number 331 2357489), subject to availability.

When

Carnival afternoon and evening.

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Where does it take place โ€” Carnival of Merate

Piazza Prinetti e Centro Sociale Teodolinda

Piazza Prinetti, 23807 Merate

Contact Carnival of Merate

Tel
+39 331 2357489

Carnival of Merate in brief

Street arts Folk traditions Folklore Family Children Playful Outdoor Lecco

History of Carnival of Merate