Procida Carnival (Carnevale in Piazza)

The Carnevale in Piazza on the island of Procida

Every year, between late February and early March, the island of Procida breaks the slow rhythm of winter for its Carnevale in Piazza. This is not a monumental event like the major Italian carnivals; it is a community celebration, built by the locals for the locals, which travels through the streets of the Municipality of Procida, in the province of Naples, and concludes in the island's maritime heart, Piazza Marina Grande.

The parade from Sant'Antonio to Marina Grande

The masked procession departs from the Sant'Antonio area in the late afternoon and heads toward the port, accompanied by the Banda Musicale Città di Procida, which sets the pace with its marches. Along the route, families, groups of friends, costumed revelers, and the year's allegorical float—handcrafted by local artists and artisans—join the parade.

Upon arrival in the square, the mood shifts: the best costumes are awarded prizes, followed by music, DJ sets, and food stalls that keep Marina Grande lively until evening. It is the moment when the entire Procidan community gathers in the same space, reclaiming a square that belongs to tourists in summer but returns entirely to the islanders during Carnival.

The 2025 edition and the pirate float

In 2025, the Procida Carnival took place on Friday, February 28, departing at 4:30 PM from Sant'Antonio. The chosen theme was pirates: the allegorical float, designed by local artist Giovanni Righi and crafted with meticulous detail, was one of the most photographed highlights of the day. A jury awarded prizes for the most original and high-quality costumes across three categories, and the evening concluded with a DJ set in the square and a charity raffle draw.

The roots: the social carnival of the Vivara Association

The modern tradition of the Carnevale in Piazza began in 2013 on the initiative of the Vivara Association, which brought the parade back to the island's streets, modeled after the social carnivals of Naples inspired by the GRIDAS experience in Scampia. Each edition focused on a theme for collective reflection: «The Land on this side of the sea» in 2013, «The keys to the island» in 2014, and «Isolamondo» in 2016, the latter starting from Piazza Posta and ending at Chiaiolella. Costumes and floats were largely built from recycled materials, linking the celebration to an environmental awareness that is anything but abstract in Procida.

In recent years, the organization of the parade has been carried out by the «Procida È» Association, in collaboration with the Capraro Comprehensive Institute: the school remains the true engine of the event, with children parading in costume and visiting the Town Hall in the days leading up to the event dressed as princesses, pirates, and dancers.

A celebration designed for families

• Free admission to all parts of the event
• Costume contest for the most original outfits, with prizes divided into categories
• Live musical accompaniment by the town band
• Music, DJ sets, and a food area in Piazza Marina Grande
• Charity raffle to support the association's activities
• Direct participation of the island's schools

Procida, an island-municipality in Campania

Procida is the smallest municipality in the Phlegraean archipelago and is part of the Metropolitan City of Naples, in Campania. Named the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022, the island is accessible only by sea, and in winter, it retains a cozy atmosphere, far removed from the summer crowds. Along with the Holy Week rites and the Sagra del Mare at the end of July, Carnival is one of the key events that mark the year for the Procidan community.

When it takes place

The Carnival in Procida follows the movable calendar of Lent and therefore takes place between February and the very first days of March, generally in the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday. Definitive dates and the program are announced by the organizing association and local press a few weeks in advance: visitors from the mainland should check these before booking their ferry.