Rosenmontagsball — Summer Edition

The Carnival returns in the height of summer

In South Tyrol, the Shrove Monday ball — the Rosenmontagsball — is a deeply rooted Carnival tradition. In Meltina (Mölten in German), on the plateau overlooking Bolzano, the Südtiroler Bauernjugend Ortsgruppe Mölten, the local branch of the South Tyrolean Farmers' Youth, decided to flip the calendar: bringing that same spirit of masks, music, and joy into the heart of summer. Thus, the Rosenmontagsball — Summer Edition was born, an open-air masquerade ball held at the end of June at the Festplatz in Frassineto (Verschneid), the village's local festival square.

Where it takes place

The festival brings Frassineto (Verschneid in German) to life, a mountain hamlet in the municipality of Meltina, nestled at an altitude of about 1,100 meters, just a few kilometers from the main village. We are in the province of Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige, about a dozen kilometers northwest of the provincial capital. The open-air festival area is the same venue that hosts other traditional local events in summer, from horse riding shows to village festivals: a simple and convivial alpine setting, perfect for a night of dancing under the June sky.

Masks, DJs, and awards

The format mirrors the winter ball but adapts it to a summer setting. Participants are encouraged to arrive in costume: dressing up is not just an accessory, it is the heart of the evening. Music is provided by a DJ who keeps the dance floor moving, while the highlight of the night is the grand costume contest (Große Maskenprämierung), which awards the most original outfits. This event is designed for young people and adults; admission is restricted to those aged 16 and over.

A Bauernjugend celebration

The event is organized by the Südtiroler Bauernjugend, an association that brings together the youth of the South Tyrolean rural world and manages community events and festivals in every village. The Rosenmontagsball — Summer Edition is one of the key events that keeps the social life of mountain hamlets like Frassineto vibrant, blending South Tyrolean Carnival tradition with the warmth of a summer village party.