Ponte Historical Carnival
Papier-mâché floats and carnival tradition in the heart of the Sannio region
About Ponte Carnival
A carnival that set the standard in the Sannio region
The Ponte Historical Carnival was born in 1979 in Ponte, a small town of just over 2,400 inhabitants in the province of Benevento, in the heart of the Sannio region, Campania. With nearly half a century of history, it is one of the longest-running carnival events in the entire province: it was here in Ponte that, for the first time in the Benevento area, people began building large papier-mâché floats, paving the way for many neighboring towns to follow. Today, it is a benchmark for enthusiasts and the most anticipated event of the year for the local community.
The town, which owes its name to an ancient Roman bridge, transforms for two days into a large open-air theater: the normally quiet streets of the center fill with masks, music, and families arriving from neighboring towns and across the Benevento area.
The large papier-mâché floats
The heart of the festival is the allegorical floats, built by hand in the preceding months by local papier-mâché masters along with dozens of young people and children from the town. Each float tells a story: fantastic characters, satirical scenes, and references to current events. The construction work, which begins long before the Carnival, is considered an integral part of the event: the artistic direction defines it as a true "collective laboratory of civic imagination," where young people carry the project forward from idea to realization.
Alongside the floats, masked groups, street performers, and itinerant performances, local dance schools, and live music parade, while along the route there is no shortage of food stalls featuring typical carnival-period products.
The 2026 edition: Artificial Intelligence and Green
The 45th edition, which took place on Sunday, February 15, and Tuesday, February 17, 2026, focused on the theme of artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability: a combination that, in the words of artistic director Nicola Pica, looks to the future without denying its roots. Five large floats paraded through the town — Pinocchio Tecno, Super Mario Bros – The Social Death, Stop Pollution, Life that gives Life, and Alice in Wonderl(IA)nd — in front of thousands of people, despite weather that was not always favorable.
The parade route
The gathering and departure take place in Piazza Fontana Longa. From here, the procession takes Via Grande Ufficiale Domenico Ocone and Via Ripagallo, before returning to the square. In the evening, around 8:00 PM, all the floats gather again in Piazza Fontana Longa for the best costume award and the open-air dance party.
Organizers
The organization is entrusted to APS PONTIS, which works in collaboration with the Municipality of Ponte, the Youth Forum, ANSPI Santa Generosa, and the Ponte Comprehensive Institute; the artistic direction is by Nicola Pica. The involvement of schools and youth associations is a distinctive feature of the event, which Mayor Antonello Caporaso has defined as "the most authentic expression of our identity."
Carnival Preview: The Carnival that starts in September
Since 2025, the Ponte carnival season has opened early with the Carnival Preview, two launch days hosted in Piazza XXII Giugno (September 27 and 28, 2025) featuring masked games for children, street performer shows, folk concerts, and food stalls dedicated to traditional flavors. On that occasion, the Ponte Mask competition was also launched, open to artists of all ages: the winning sketch is then brought to life by the master float builders and paraded at the following year's Carnival.
Why it's worth visiting
- Authenticity: it is not a carnival built for tourists, but the identity-defining festival of a Sannio town.
- Handcrafted papier-mâché: you can see floats made entirely by hand in the town up close.
- Family-friendly: afternoon parades, entertainment for children, free admission.
- Local flavors: the stalls offer sweets and dishes from the Sannio Carnival, in an area known for its Falanghina del Sannio and Aglianico wines.
- Two days, not one: the parade is repeated on Shrove Tuesday.
Ponte Carnival — edition 2026
45th edition: tradition and future
For its forty-fifth year, the Ponte Historical Carnival chose an unusual theme for a town festival: artificial intelligence and green. A choice claimed by artistic director Nicola Pica, according to whom "the Carnival is not just memory, but also a project," and translated into five large papier-mâché floats built by hand in the preceding months by master float builders, young people, and children of the town.
Two days of parades
On Sunday, February 15, the parade started at 2:00 PM from Piazza Fontana Longa to cross the main streets of Ponte, with street performers, itinerant performances, exhibitions by local dance schools, and food stalls. At 8:00 PM, the gathering of all the floats in the square, the award for the best costume, and the dance party with DJ Monamix. On Tuesday, February 17, Shrove Tuesday, the parade was repeated at the same time with the grand evening finale.
The audience and the verdicts
Despite the uncertain weather, thousands of people followed the two days. The first prize went to the float Pinocchio Tecno, followed by Super Mario Bros and The Social Death; special critics' award to Stop Pollution. Special mentions for the Ponte Comprehensive Institute and ANSPI Santa Generosa. Mayor Antonello Caporaso spoke of the Ponte Carnival as the "most authentic expression of our identity."
Programme Ponte Carnival 2026
Highlights Ponte Carnival 2026
Prices Ponte Carnival 2026
Practical information — Ponte Carnival
How to get there
Ponte is located in the province of Benevento, northwest of the capital, and borders Casalduni, Fragneto Monforte, Paupisi, San Lorenzo Maggiore, San Lupo, and Torrecuso. A car is the most convenient solution: from Benevento, you can arrive in just over twenty minutes along the provincial roads that go up the valley. Those traveling by train can get off at Benevento and continue by car or by the Sannio bus lines.
Parking and traffic
On parade days, the town center is subject to traffic changes: it is advisable to leave the car in parking areas along the access roads and reach Piazza Fontana Longa on foot.
Times and tickets
The parades start at 2:00 PM from Piazza Fontana Longa; the grand evening finale, with the award for the best costume, is scheduled for 8:00 PM. Access to the event is free: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls.
Useful tips
- Arrive in the square before 2:00 PM to see the floats up close during the gathering.
- Dress in layers: in February, in the inland Sannio, temperatures remain low even in the afternoon.
- In case of bad weather, the parade may be postponed (in 2026, a makeup date was scheduled for Sunday, February 22): it is best to check for updates on the channels of the Municipality of Ponte and APS PONTIS.
- For overnight stays, it is advisable to rely on Benevento or facilities in the Telese Terme and Torrecuso area.
Information
Municipality of Ponte — Via 22 Giugno 5, 82030 Ponte (BN), website comune.ponte.bn.it. Organization: APS PONTIS.
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Where does it take place — Ponte Carnival
Piazza Fontana Longa e centro storico
Piazza Fontana Longa, 82030 Ponte