Priolo Carnival

The Priolo Carnival

The Priolo Carnival is the annual carnival celebration in the town of Priolo Gargallo, located in the province of Syracuse, overlooking the Gulf of Augusta in the heart of eastern Sicily. Organized by the municipal administration, this popular, free event transforms the Largo dell'Autonomia Comunale, the square in front of the Town Hall, into a vibrant stage for days of masks, colors, and fun.

A Carnival for families and children

The soul of the event is its family-friendly atmosphere: the program revolves around the little ones, with creative workshops, bubble shows, baby dance, entertainers, inflatables, cotton candy, and popcorn. The festivities also feature mask parades, balloon sculptors, and giant cartoon character mascots, drawing families and young people to the town center.

Street food and evening shows

Alongside activities for children, the Priolo Carnival offers evenings of Sicilian street food with street performers and local DJs in the area adjacent to the Town Hall, as well as major evening shows in the square. Among the most popular highlights of recent editions are musical shows featuring special effects, confetti, artificial snow, bubble machines, and dance parties with awards for the best costumes.

A local event

While it may not have the long history of Sicily's major traditional carnivals, the Priolo Carnival is a highly anticipated event for the Priolo Gargallo community. It brings the town center to life during the winter and engages local associations, merchants, and families from the Syracuse area. While the format may vary from year to year depending on available resources, the core mission remains the same: a celebration designed to bring smiles to children's faces.