Panizaro Carnival

The Panizaro Carnival of Caldonazzo

The Panizaro Carnival is one of the most deeply rooted folk festivals in Caldonazzo, a town in the Upper Valsugana area of the province of Trento, in Trentino-Alto Adige. With over fifty editions behind it, this event is a staple of the local winter calendar and one of the most cherished village carnivals in the Trentino lakes region, just a stone's throw from Lake Caldonazzo.

A Community Celebration

The Panizaro Carnival is, first and foremost, a community celebration: not a spectacle for tourists, but a tradition built year after year by the village's associations. The organization is entrusted to the SAT of Caldonazzo (Society of Tridentine Alpinists), supported by the Municipality of Caldonazzo and a large number of local entities: the Rural Women, the Dragon Boat Caldonazzo, the Volunteer Firefighters, the Alpini Group, the Cassa Rurale, the Coro la Tor choir, and the local marching band. It is precisely this network of volunteers that makes the event possible and gives it its authentic village character.

The Parade and Allegorical Floats

The highlight is the parade of masks and allegorical floats that travels through the center of the village to Piazza Municipio. Children, families, and masked groups parade accompanied by the marching band, while the allegorical floats, carefully prepared in the preceding weeks, showcase satire, fantasy, and current events in the best carnival tradition.

Pasta and Awards

As per custom, the celebration would not be complete without the pasta feast for everyone, served in the square in the mid-afternoon, followed by the final awards ceremony to recognize the best masks and floats. It is a convivial ritual that concludes the day and captures the spirit of the Panizaro Carnival: coming together in joy amidst the chill of the Trentino winter.

When it takes place

The Panizaro Carnival is traditionally held on a Sunday in February or early March, close to the carnival period, starting in the early afternoon. In case of bad weather, the event is postponed to the following Sunday. It is a free festival open to everyone, perfect for a family outing in the Upper Valsugana.