Pievepelago Carnival

The Pievepelago Carnival in Pievepelago

The Pievepelago Carnival is the most cherished Carnival event in Pievepelago, a municipality in the upper Modena Apennines in Emilia-Romagna, in the province of Modena. It is a popular, family-friendly festival, designed especially for the children and young people of the village, which has brought masks, confetti, and joy to one of the February Sundays for years.

The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Pievepelago, which manages the program and involves local associations. The Pievepelago Carnival is part of the rich calendar of Carnival events in the Modena Apennines, which every winter transforms the small mountain villages into festive places for families.

How the festival unfolds

The day begins with the gathering of costumed groups in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, in the heart of Pievepelago, usually in the early afternoon. From here, the parade through the village streets begins, a colourful procession of masks, costumes, and children that winds through the town centre to the Municipal Gymnasium.

The celebration continues in the gymnasium with an afternoon dedicated to fun: live music, dancing, entertainment, games for the little ones, and food stalls with Carnival sweets and specialities. In case of bad weather, the gathering and the entire festival take place indoors, in the Municipal Gymnasium.

A community tradition in the Apennines

More than a grand parade of floats, the Pievepelago Carnival is a village festival built around the direct participation of the inhabitants: families, schools, associations, and volunteer groups prepare costumes and masks, animating a day that strengthens the sense of community in a small mountain town in Emilia-Romagna.

For those visiting the Modena Apennines in winter, the Pievepelago Carnival is an opportunity to discover the authentic atmosphere of Pievepelago, its squares, the friendliness of its people, and the traditions that mark the seasons in the mountains. A simple and genuine event, capable of involving young and old in the joyful spirit of Carnival.