Pontecorvo Carnival (Historical Carnival of Italy)
The Historical Carnival of Italy featuring Mazzamauri, Burlicchio, and papier-mâché floats
About Pontecorvo Carnival
A carnival that tells the story of Pontecorvo
The Pontecorvo Carnival is more than just a costume party: it is the collective memory of a community in southern Lazio, brought to life every year in the streets of the town, in the heart of the Ciociaria region. The tradition is rooted in a historical episode involving the Saracen advance along the Liri River: legend has it that the inhabitants gathered to defend the village with the cry of "kill the Moors," and from that very cry, the event's iconic mask, the Mazzamauro, was born.
Over time, other beloved figures have joined the Mazzamauro: the Princess, evoking courtly dances and the selection of the carnival queen, and Burlicchio, a Harlequin-style mascot with Pinocchio's long nose, who has become a true favorite among children. Celebrated without interruption since 1952, the Pontecorvo carnival has been officially recognized as a Historical Carnival of Italy, a title that places it among the most iconic carnival celebrations in the country.
Allegorical floats and the art of papier-mâché
The spectacular heart of the festival is the parade of allegorical floats, built in the preceding months by local master artisans gathered in the Papier-Mâché Academy. Standing several meters tall and animated by moving mechanisms, the floats are covered with the typical layered paper technique: a craft passed down through generations that gives the figures vibrant colors and soft, voluminous shapes. Each float features a satirical or fairy-tale theme and competes in two distinct categories, judged at the end of the event.
Alongside the main parades, there is the mini-float parade created by the youngest participants, who travel through the center on the opening day: a way to pass on the craft and passion for papier-mâché to the next generation.
More than just parades: a three-week celebration
The schedule is spread across several weekends between late January and February, alternating between various highlights:
- Opening Day with the opening of food stands and a greeting from the mascot Burlicchio
- Free bouncy castles, entertainment, and shows dedicated to children
- Live concerts and DJ sets in the town squares
- «A Carnevale ogni pranzo vale!» (At Carnival, every lunch counts!), the mega-banquet set up along Via Aldo Moro, where people eat together outdoors, enjoying traditional Ciociarian dishes
- Costume contests, masked groups, and street performers
- Award ceremonies for the floats and the closing night
Where it takes place
The event unfolds in the center of Pontecorvo, with its epicenter in Piazza IV Novembre and float routes passing through the Civita, Pastine, and San Rocco districts, as well as Piazza San Giovanni Paolo II and Piazzale Porta Pia. On parade days, the town center is closed to traffic from the early afternoon until midnight, with detours managed by the local police.
Why it's worth the trip
Pontecorvo is located halfway between Rome and Naples, in an area of Lazio still largely untouched by mass tourism. The carnival is the perfect opportunity to discover the Ciociaria region in winter: a village perched above the Liri River, a rustic gastronomy featuring fresh pasta, cured meats, and the famous Pontecorvo PDO pepper, and an authentic, free, and inclusive popular festival where visitors naturally mingle with the locals. It is one of the few events in the Lazio region where papier-mâché reaches a level of craftsmanship comparable to that of the great national carnivals.
Pontecorvo Carnival — edition 2026
74th edition of the Historical Carnival
The 2026 Pontecorvo Carnival celebrated its 74th edition, confirming the formula that has made it one of the most popular events in the province of Frosinone: three weeks of festivities spread throughout the historic center, free shows for families, and two large parades of papier-mâché allegorical floats.
Bad weather affected the start: the first float parade, scheduled for Sunday, February 8th, was postponed by mutual agreement between the administration and the float builders. The two parades were therefore confirmed for Sunday, February 15th, and Sunday, February 22nd, 2026, both starting in the early afternoon.
The days of the festival
The official calendar covered the dates of January 31st, February 1st, 7th, 8th, 12th, 14th, and 15th, with the final day on February 22nd dedicated to the second parade and the award ceremonies.
Programme Pontecorvo Carnival 2026
Opening Day (Sunday, February 1st, 2026)
- 11:00 AM — Inauguration, opening of the stands, and greeting from the mascot Burlicchio
- 11:30 AM — Opening of free bouncy castles for children
- 12:30 PM — Live show with Clino di Costanzo
- 2:00 PM — Mini-float parade by the Papier-Mâché Academy
- 2:30 PM — DJ set with DJ Cresh
- 3:00 PM — Concert by Décolleté
- 4:00 PM — Diploma presentation
- 4:30 PM — Gabry P Show
Throughout the day, the «A Carnevale ogni pranzo vale!» initiative took place, with the mega-banquet set up along Via Aldo Moro featuring traditional Ciociarian flavors.
Allegorical float parades
- Sunday, February 15th, 2026 — first allegorical float parade, from 2:00 PM until evening
- Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 — second parade and closing of the event
Route through the town center, passing through the Civita, Pastine, and San Rocco districts, Piazza San Giovanni Paolo II, and Piazzale Porta Pia. On both parade Sundays, from 2:00 PM to midnight, the center was subject to total traffic closures and detours.
Other days
On February 7th, 8th, 12th, and 14th, the program featured alternating shows in the square, children's entertainment, masked groups, and live music.
Highlights Pontecorvo Carnival 2026
- The two parades of allegorical floats covered in layered papier-mâché, created by the master artisans of the Papier-Mâché Academy
- The historic masks of the Pontecorvo tradition: the Mazzamauro, the Princess, and Burlicchio
- The mega-banquet «A Carnevale ogni pranzo vale!» along Via Aldo Moro
- The parade of mini-floats created by children
- Free bouncy castles, comedy shows, concerts, and DJ sets in the town squares
Prices Pontecorvo Carnival 2026
Practical information — Pontecorvo Carnival
How to get there
By car: A1 Rome-Naples motorway, take the Pontecorvo exit, then follow signs for the center. On parade days, the center is closed to traffic from the early afternoon: it is advisable to arrive in the morning and park in the areas indicated by the local police.
By train: Cassino station on the Rome-Naples line via Cassino, then take a bus connection to Pontecorvo (approx. 20 km).
Tickets
Access to the parades and shows in the squares is free. Only food and drink at the stalls and specific social initiatives require payment.
Useful tips
- On parade days, the sale of takeaway drinks in glass or aluminum containers is prohibited: only plastic or paper cups are allowed.
- Spray cans, pyrotechnics, open flames, and smoke bombs are prohibited.
- Bring winter clothing: the parades take place outdoors and continue until the evening.
- In case of bad weather, parades may be postponed to the following Sunday: check the official social media channels before leaving.
Where to stay
Accommodation is available throughout Pontecorvo, Aquino, and Cassino (farmhouses and B&Bs). Advance booking is recommended for carnival weekends.
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