Sabaudia Carnival (Pontino Carnival)

Carnival in the City of Dunes

Sabaudia, a famous planned city with its unmistakable rationalist architecture, nestled between the sea, Lake Paola, and the dunes of the Circeo National Park, hosts one of the most anticipated stops of the Pontino Carnival every year. For a full Sunday in February, the city center fills with masks, confetti, and music, as the grand float parade draws families from all over the Latina province and lower Lazio.

The Pontino Carnival, a traveling festival

The Sabaudia parade is not an isolated event: it is part of the Pontino Carnival, a traveling festival that moves through the Pontino district between late January and Shrove Tuesday, visiting Borgo Vodice, Borgo Montenero, Pontinia, Latina, Cisterna di Latina, San Felice Circeo, and, of course, Sabaudia. The floats, built and animated by the Amici in Festa association, travel from square to square, bringing the same load of color, music, and joy everywhere: a widespread carnival model that unites the communities of the Agro Pontino in one long, continuous celebration.

The float parade

The highlight of the Sabaudia stop is the float parade, which begins in the early afternoon and travels through the city streets. The floats, dedicated to the most beloved characters from cinema, cartoons, and fantasy—from Pirates of the Caribbean to Aladdin, SpongeBob to Doraemon, The Simpsons to Tom & Jerry—advance between crowds of spectators, accompanied by masked groups, majorettes, and loud music. At the end of the procession, the floats stop in Piazza del Comune, the city's rationalist living room, where the party continues all afternoon with dancing, entertainment, and the distribution of typical carnival sweets like frappe and castagnole.

A festival for families

The Sabaudia Carnival is designed primarily for children and families: admission is free, the atmosphere is that of a genuine village festival, and every edition brings thousands of people to the square amidst masks, confetti, and streamers. Past editions have featured spectacular moments like the traditional burning of the King and Queen of Carnival, which symbolically closes the festivities.

The Amici in Festa association and municipal support

The heart of the event is the Amici in Festa association, a non-profit organization based in Sabaudia on Strada Segreta, which spends months working on the construction of the floats. The city stop takes place under the patronage of the Municipality of Sabaudia, while the entire Pontino Carnival circuit enjoys the support of local municipal administrations. A collective effort that makes this parade one of the most vibrant popular traditions in the Latina province and the entire Lazio Region.