Petralia Sottana Carnival
The allegorical float parade in the heart of the Madonie mountains
About Petralia Sottana Carnival
Carnival among the Madonie villages
The Petralia Sottana Carnival is one of the events that brings the Madonie district in the province of Palermo to life every February. Petralia Sottana, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy perched over a thousand meters high in the heart of the Madonie Park, transforms for a day into an open-air stage where Sicilian carnival tradition meets the creativity of local associations.
A young but deeply felt celebration
Although a recent event, the Petralia Carnival has quickly won the hearts of the community. It is promoted by the I Babbaluci group, alongside the Pro Loco Francesco Tropea association and the municipal administration. The result is a day of authentic joy, experienced not only by the locals but also by the many visitors who travel up to the village from nearby towns.
The parade of allegorical floats
The heart of the festival is the parade of allegorical floats, which winds through the historic center amidst confetti, masks, and costumed groups. The lead floats are created by the I Babbaluci group and the Pro Loco, while others arrive from various Madonie municipalities in a spirit of friendly carnival twinning. Over the years, the parade has featured floats from Petralia Soprana, Bompietro, Geraci Siculo, Alimena, and Castellana Sicula, showcasing a carnival that unites the entire territory.
Entertainment, schools, and awards
The festival is more than just a parade: the program includes moments dedicated to children, with entertainment, music, and snacks at the Exma venue, and the involvement of the Cesare Terranova school, which accompanies the floats with choreography and dances alongside teachers and families. The quality of the work of the Petralia float-makers has been recognized beyond the village: the Babbaluci group won first place in their category at the Re Carnevale Award in Castellana Sicula.
Petralia Sottana, capital of the Madonie
Experiencing the Carnival here also means discovering one of the most evocative villages in inland Sicily: stone alleys, Baroque churches, and panoramic views of the Madonie peaks provide a natural backdrop to the festivities in the Municipality of Petralia Sottana, in the province of Palermo.
Petralia Sottana Carnival — edition 2026
Third edition
The 3rd Petralia Sottana Carnival, organized with the support of the municipal administration, brought the historic center to life in mid-February 2026 with a highly attended allegorical float parade.
The floats and protagonists
The I Babbaluci group and the Pro Loco Francesco Tropea created the two lead floats for the parade. The float dedicated to Lilo & Stitch featured the participation of the Cesare Terranova school, including teachers, children, and families, who accompanied the procession with choreography, dances, and enthusiasm. In the afternoon, the Exma space hosted entertainment for children with music and snacks.
Recognition beyond the village
The same Lilo & Stitch float earned the Babbaluci group the first place in Category B at the Re Carnevale Award in Castellana Sicula. Petralia Sottana also participated with its own float in the grand Madonie parade of Geraci Siculo on February 8th.
Programme Petralia Sottana Carnival 2026
Carnival 2026 — Petralia Sottana
- Allegorical float parade in the historic center, with masks and costumed groups
- Lead floats created by the I Babbaluci group and the Pro Loco Francesco Tropea
- Float dedicated to Lilo & Stitch with the Cesare Terranova school, including choreography and dances
- Afternoon at the Exma: entertainment, music, and snacks for children
Participation of floats and groups from neighboring Madonie municipalities (Petralia Soprana, Bompietro, Geraci Siculo, Alimena, Castellana Sicula).
Highlights Petralia Sottana Carnival 2026
Prices Petralia Sottana Carnival 2026
Practical information — Petralia Sottana Carnival
How to get there
Petralia Sottana can be reached by car via the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway, taking the Tre Monzelli or Irosa exit and continuing along the roads of the Madonie Park. The reference railway stations are Castelbuono or Termini Imerese, with bus connections to the hinterland.
When
The event takes place during the Carnival period, between late January and February, with the float parade in the historic center.
Costs
Access to the parade and square events is free of charge.
Tips
Petralia Sottana is located at a high altitude: in mid-winter, temperatures are cold, so warm clothing is recommended. The historic center is pedestrian-friendly and easily explored on foot.
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Where does it take place — Petralia Sottana Carnival
Centro storico di Petralia Sottana