Ortona Carnival

The Ortona Carnival

The Ortona Carnival is one of the most anticipated winter events in this Adriatic city in the province of Chieti, in the Abruzzo region. Every year in mid-February, the historic center of Ortona transforms into a massive open-air stage: papier-mâché allegorical floats parade through the main streets, accompanied by music, confetti, and costumed groups that involve the entire community.

A festival built by the city

What makes the Ortona Carnival unique is its deeply participatory nature. The floats are the result of months of hard work by local high school students organized into school committees, as well as spontaneous neighborhood and district committees, parishes, and local associations. It is a collective ritual where the theme of each float often serves as an opportunity for satire on current events, in the most authentic spirit of Carnival.

The parade and its stars

The procession kicks off from the Municipal Stadium square and winds through the city center to its heart. The parade is opened by the historic flag-wavers group, followed by children and themed costumed groups. Each edition features several allegorical floats, each dedicated to a different subject, ranging from great cinema sagas and cartoons to local life references.

• Allegorical float parade along the streets of the center
• Costumed groups, flag-wavers, and children's entertainment
• Final awards ceremony in Piazza della Repubblica
• Award categories for best float, choreography, theme, and best costume

Tradition and taste

The Ortona Carnival is rooted in the values of the Abruzzo farming world and preserves the charm of a village festival, complete with masks, music, and traditional sweets like cicerchiata—small balls of fried dough covered in honey. The event, promoted by the Municipality of Ortona through the Events Department, is free to attend and attracts visitors from across the Trabocchi Coast and the Frentano hinterland.

Ortona: between sea and history

Set in a city rich in history, dominated by the Aragonese Castle overlooking the Adriatic and linked to the memory of the Farnese family, the Carnival also offers a chance to discover the charm of Ortona, its port, and its seafront during one of the most intimate and authentic seasons of the year.