Salemi and Vita Carnival

The Carnival that unites Salemi and Vita

The Salemi and Vita Carnival is one of the most cherished carnival events in the Trapani hinterland, located in the heart of the Belìce Valley. Two neighboring municipalities, Salemi and Vita, collaborate to organize a festival spread over two consecutive days: each town hosts a grand parade of allegorical floats, accompanied by costumed groups, music, and performances that bring the town centers to life.

The Giardinieri di Salemi, the traditional mask

The most recognizable symbol of the event is the historic Giardinieri di Salemi mask, an authentic emblem of local carnival tradition. The Giardinieri wear 19th-century velvet costumes in the style of the bourgeoisie, topped with straw hats decorated with numerous long, multicolored ribbons. They carry a characteristic pantograph that extends up to five meters to offer candy and sweets to the public: a gesture that delights both adults and children while keeping a deep-rooted local memory alive.

Two towns, two parades

The festival format features a parade in each of the two municipalities on consecutive days, allowing the public to experience both events. The allegorical floats, built by local associations, travel through the main streets, enlivening squares and neighborhoods with colorful figures and current themes. After years of absence, the event has been successfully relaunched by the municipal administrations and local associations, drawing crowds that exceeded all expectations.

Who organizes the festival

The Carnival is jointly promoted by the Municipalities of Salemi and Vita and organized by the associations H700 and Liberty24, with the involvement of local groups such as Giovani di Salemi NG, A.M.A. Salemi, and Vita d'Amuri. The event takes place between the historic center of Salemi (postal code 91018), in the province of Trapani, and the nearby town of Vita, offering a chance to discover this corner of Western Sicily far from the main tourist flows.

An event for the whole family

Admission to the parades is free. With floats, confetti, masks, and sweets distributed by the Giardinieri, the Salemi and Vita Carnival is designed primarily for families and children, yet it succeeds in engaging the entire community in a festive atmosphere that blends tradition with joy.