Potentino Carnival

The City That Dons a Mask

For almost three weeks every winter, Potenza dresses up for a celebration and tells its story through its mask. The Potentino Carnival is not just a simple parade: it's a widespread program of shows, concerts, exhibitions, conferences, and events that invades the streets, squares, and cultural venues of the Lucanian capital. The 2026 edition, titled "The Mask & The Masks", unfolded from February 1st to 17th with seventeen days of initiatives.

Sarachella, the Soul of the Potentino Carnival

The symbolic heart of the festival is Sarachella, the mask recognized by the City Council in 2018 as the identity symbol of Potenza. The event revolves around this figure, intertwining popular memory and contemporary creativity. The theme of the 2026 edition, "With the Heart at the Center," invites reflection on the rebirth of the city's historic center.

A Widespread Community Carnival

Promoted by the Municipality of Potenza, with the Department of Culture, the event involves schools, associations, and cultural institutions in a dense and varied program. From concerts to theatrical performances, from exhibitions to conferences, the Potentino Carnival has become a showcase of the city's identity and vitality, capable of uniting different generations under the banner of tradition and celebration.