Quarto Carnival
Two days of masked parades in the heart of the Phlegraean Fields
About Quarto Carnival
The Quarto Carnival, the February festival in the Phlegraean Fields
Every year, between February and early March, the center of Quarto transforms into a massive open-air stage. The Quarto Carnival is now one of the most popular events on the city's calendar: two days of masked parades, street performers, music, and entertainment involving local families, schools, and associations. The event is promoted by the Municipality of Quarto, in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, and is included in the Metropolitan Events calendar under the patronage of the Metropolitan City of Naples.
A different theme for every edition
The formula for the Quarto carnival is based on a central theme that changes annually, shaping the costumes, choreography, and scenery of the parade. In 2026, the chosen theme was "Natural Elements": Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, expressed in four spectacular blocks along the route. This choice allowed for a blend of fantastic figures, circus arts, and street theater into a single moving narrative, far more engaging than a simple float parade.
Two days, two spirits
- Sunday is dedicated to motors and collecting, with a parade of vintage vehicles driven by masked crews: in 2026, the "Myth on Two Wheels" procession featured vintage Vespas, departing from the Villa Comunale for the grand finale at Piazzale Europa.
- Shrove Tuesday is the day of the great themed parade in the historic center, with masked groups, stilt walkers, mascots, traveling musicals, and food stalls along the route.
The grand finale at the Villa Comunale
The Tuesday procession concludes at the Villa Comunale, which becomes an open-air arena for a closing show lasting about forty minutes. In 2026, the finale brought together storytellers, elemental artists, and the acrobatic performance of the "Lolly Pop" ballerina in a giant hoop: an epilogue designed to keep the audience engaged until the very last moment, without the rush to head home.
A community carnival
Behind the organization is a local network: working alongside the Municipality are the Associazione Projecta and the Pro Loco Quarto Centro Santa Maria, together with local associations. The result is a completely free festival, designed primarily for children but capable of attracting adult audiences from neighboring Phlegraean towns, from Pozzuoli to Marano, and from Monte di Procida to Bacoli. The costumes, carnival sweets, and workshops for the little ones complete an atmosphere that is both popular and familiar.
Quarto and the Phlegraean plain
Quarto owes its name to the ancient Roman consular road that connected the Cumaean area to Capua, where the town marked the fourth mile starting from Puteoli. The city is situated in a volcanic basin, the Quarto plain, just a few kilometers from the sea of Pozzuoli and the craters of the Phlegraean Fields. The carnival thus becomes an opportunity to discover a town often off the classic tourist circuits, yet very close to the most famous archaeological and thermal sites in Campania.
Quick practical information
- Period: February or early March, according to the movable Carnival calendar.
- Locations: Villa Comunale, historic center, and Piazzale Europa.
- Admission: Free.
- Audience: Families, children, enthusiasts of vintage vehicles and street arts.
Quarto Carnival — edition 2026
The "Natural Elements" as protagonists of 2026
For the 2026 edition, the Municipality of Quarto and the Associazione Projecta, with the Pro Loco Quarto Centro Santa Maria, built a themed parade dedicated to the forces of nature. The public traversed four worlds: Earth, with animatronic dinosaurs and characters from The Lion King; Water, with Poseidon and giant bubbles; Air, entrusted to all-white stilt walkers and butterflies; Fire, with flaming torches and mascots.
Two events in the center
The festival opened on Sunday, February 15, with "The Myth on Two Wheels," the vintage Vespa procession that departed at 10:30 AM from the Villa Comunale and arrived at noon at Piazzale Europa for the grand finale, featuring entertainment and surprises for young and old. On Shrove Tuesday, February 17, at 10:00 AM, the great masked parade departed from the Villa Comunale through the historic center, accompanied by street performers, traveling musicals, and food stalls along the route.
The grand finale
The return to the Villa Comunale closed the day with a show lasting about forty minutes: storytellers, elemental artists, and the acrobatic performance of the "Lolly Pop" ballerina in the giant hoop. The free event was part of the Metropolitan Events calendar under the patronage of the Metropolitan City of Naples.
Programme Quarto Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 15, 2026 — "The Myth on Two Wheels"
- 10:30 AM — Departure from the Villa Comunale of the vintage Vespa parade, with masked crews.
- 12:00 PM — Grand finale at Piazzale Europa, with entertainment and new features for all ages.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 — "Where the Elements are unleashed"
- 10:00 AM — Departure from the Villa Comunale of the great masked parade through the historic center.
- Along the route: street performers, traveling musicals, and food stalls.
- The parade is divided into the four elements: Earth (animatronic dinosaurs and characters from The Lion King), Water (Poseidon and giant bubbles), Air (all-white stilt walkers and butterflies), Fire (flaming torches and mascots).
- Grand finale at the Villa Comunale: 40-minute show with storytellers, elemental artists, and the acrobatic performance of the "Lolly Pop" ballerina in the giant hoop.
Highlights Quarto Carnival 2026
- Themed parade of the "Natural Elements": Earth, Water, Air, and Fire
- "The Myth on Two Wheels" vintage Vespa parade with arrival at Piazzale Europa
- Stilt walkers, mascots, and traveling musicals in the historic center
- 40-minute final show at the Villa Comunale with the acrobatic ballerina "Lolly Pop"
- Food stalls along the route
- Free admission, event in the Metropolitan Events calendar
Prices Quarto Carnival 2026
Practical information — Quarto Carnival
How to get there
Quarto is located in the Phlegraean area, northwest of Naples. By car, take the Naples Tangenziale (exits for the Pozzuoli and Agnano area) and continue along Via Campana. By train, the EAV Circumflegrea line, from Naples Montesanto towards Torregaveta, stops at the Quarto Centro and Quarto Officina stations, just a few minutes' walk from the city center.
Where it takes place
The parades start from the Villa Comunale and cross the city center; the Sunday grand finale is held at Piazzale Europa, while the Shrove Tuesday closing show returns to the Villa Comunale.
Practical tips
- Admission is free: no tickets are required.
- During the parades, traffic in the center is slowed or diverted: it is advisable to arrive early and park away from the route.
- The event is particularly suitable for children: confetti, streamers, and costumes are more than welcome.
- There are food stalls along the route for a quick stop.
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Where does it take place — Quarto Carnival
Villa Comunale, centro storico e Piazzale Europa