Reggio Emilia Carnival
Fat Tuesday in the heart of the city, with fairytale parades and masked readings
About Reggio Carnival
Carnival in the historic center of Reggio Emilia
Every year, the Reggio Emilia Carnival enlivens the historic center of the Emilian capital with a large, widespread celebration culminating on Fat Tuesday. Organized by the Municipality of Reggio Emilia through the Office for the Commercial Valorization of the Historic Center, the event brings an itinerant street theater spectacle to the city's squares and streets, which changes each year and is dedicated to a great fairytale from the classic repertoire.
The Fat Tuesday Parade
The heart of the event is the fairytale parade that starts from Piazza Prampolini, the monumental main square of Reggio Emilia overlooking the Duomo and the Town Hall. From here, the procession winds through the streets of the historic center, transforming it into a grand open-air stage of music, colors, and interactive moments with the public. Illuminated and scenographic floats, costumed characters, sketches, and animations accompany adults and children for about an hour and a half of celebration.
Readings and Workshops in the Library
In the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday, the network of Reggio libraries – from the Panizzi Library to neighborhood libraries like Ospizio, San Pellegrino-Marco Gerra, and the Orologio Cultural Space – offers a rich calendar of masked animated readings, creative workshops, and themed events. These are free activities designed primarily for children, usually requiring booking, which prepare the city for the festive atmosphere.
A Celebration for Families
The Reggio Emilia Carnival is a free event for audiences of all ages: children are invited to participate by wearing their costumes and masks, while confetti, streamers, and sweets complete the atmosphere. It is one of the most cherished winter events in Reggio Emilia, capable of drawing families from all over the city and province of Reggio Emilia to the center, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna.
Reggio Carnival — edition 2026
Cinderella's Parade
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the historic center of Reggio Emilia hosted an itinerant street theater show dedicated to Cinderella. The fairytale parade started at 4:30 PM from Piazza Prampolini and wound through the streets of the center. The absolute star was the Cinderella Carriage, a luminous and musical scenographic element, accompanied by the fairytale characters – Cinderella, the elegant Coachman, and the Stepmother – with sketches, melodies, and audience interaction. During the route, Cinderella distributed Carnival sweets to the children.
Library Readings
From February 7 to 17, the Reggio libraries enlivened the anticipation with themed readings and workshops for children aged 3 and up, by reservation.
Programme Reggio Carnival 2026
Library Events (February 7-17, 2026)
- Saturday, February 7, 10:30 AM — Ospizio Library: "Masks, Colors, Joy!", masked readings
- Tuesday, February 10, 4:45 PM — Orologio Cultural Space: "But where is Carnival?", themed readings
- Wednesday, February 11 — San Pellegrino-Marco Gerra Library: "A Crazy Carnival!"
- Thursday, February 13, 4:00 PM — Panizzi Library: "Bzzzz, what's buzzing in our heads?", masking and readings
- Monday, February 16, 4:45 PM — San Pellegrino-Marco Gerra Library: "Carnival of Stories", animated readings and creative workshop
- Tuesday, February 17 — Orologio Cultural Space: "The Magic of Confetti", final readings
Fat Tuesday — February 17
- 4:30 PM — Departure of the Cinderella parade from Piazza Prampolini
- Itinerant street theater show along the streets of the historic center, estimated duration of about 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Luminous and musical Cinderella carriage with characters Cinderella, Coachman, and Stepmother
- Distribution of sweets to children along the route
In case of bad weather, the parade was postponed to Sunday, February 22, 2026.
Highlights Reggio Carnival 2026
Prices Reggio Carnival 2026
Practical information — Reggio Carnival
Where
The parade starts from Piazza Prampolini, in the historic center of Reggio Emilia (RE). The show is itinerant and crosses the main streets and squares of the center.
How to get there
By train: Reggio Emilia station is a short walk from the historic center (the Mediopadana high-speed station is connected to the center by shuttle buses). By car: it is advisable to leave your car in the parking lots on the outskirts of the historic center, which is largely pedestrianized during the event.
Tickets
Free admission to all events. Readings and workshops in the library usually require booking.
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Where does it take place — Reggio Carnival
Centro storico di Reggio Emilia
Piazza Prampolini, 42121 Reggio nell'Emilia