Ravenna Children's Carnival

A village festival that has lasted for over forty years

The Ravenna Children's Carnival is a historic event on the winter calendar of the Municipality of Ravenna, in Emilia-Romagna. Organized by the Archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia together with the local parishes and numerous local associations, it has enlivened the streets with colors, music, and creativity for over forty years. More than just a carnival, it is a community celebration that involves entire parishes: children, young people, animators, parents, and priests work for weeks on building the allegorical floats and preparing the masked groups.

Parishes in competition

The heart of the event is the friendly competition between the parishes of the diocese, each with its own float and theme. Nine parishes participated in the 2026 edition: San Rocco, San Biagio with Redentore, Punta Marina Terme, San Vittore, Marina di Ravenna, Santa Maria in Porto, San Paolo, and Porto Fuori. A jury awards the prize for the most beautiful float, while a special recognition goes to the most successful mask.

The two parades

The Carnival traditionally consists of two parades. The first takes place on the seafront of Marina di Ravenna, transformed for an afternoon into an open-air stage. The second, the final, runs through the historic center of Ravenna, along Via di Roma, with the proclamation of the winning parish and the lottery draw. The floats parade accompanied by music, dances, and masked groups, amidst the festive crowd of residents and visitors.

Solidarity and charity lottery

An important dimension of the event is solidarity: during the Carnival weeks, a charity lottery is organized, with tickets costing a few euros, the proceeds of which support the diocese's missions. The photography contest dedicated to the most beautiful photo of the Carnival also returns, with the winning image becoming a ceramic plate and a calling card for the following edition.

An event for the whole family

Free and outdoors, the Children's Carnival is designed primarily for the youngest, but it involves the entire Ravenna community. It is an opportunity to experience the traditional spirit of Carnival in the heart of the Province of Ravenna, through the streets of a city that is a World Heritage site for its mosaics, in an atmosphere of joy, participation, and local identity.