San Lazzaro Carnival — Parade of Floats

The Carnival of San Lazzaro di Savena

The San Lazzaro Carnival is one of the most beloved winter events in San Lazzaro di Savena, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna. The heart of the event is the parade of allegorical floats, which every year transforms the streets of the center into a large open-air stage made of confetti, streamers, masks, and music.

The Parade of Floats

The procession starts in the afternoon from via San Lazzaro, at the corner of via Repubblica, and follows the city circuit along via Modena and via C. Jussi, concluding in via Repubblica. Accompanying the floats is the San Lazzaro Music Band, which sets the rhythm of the celebration and engages the crowd gathered along the route. The parade is the most anticipated moment and draws families, children, and curious onlookers from all over the area.

Activities for Children

The San Lazzaro Carnival is designed primarily for children. During the festival days, the program is enriched with numerous collateral initiatives:

• Children's rides set up in the parking lot of via Repubblica, next to Parco 2 Agosto;
• Masked storytelling sessions for the little ones, hosted in the municipal library;
• Creative workshops for making Carnival masks and decorations;
• "Creative Saturdays" exhibition-market at the urban pier of Parco 2 Agosto, featuring ingenious works and crafts.

Free Costume Rental

One of the most characteristic initiatives is the free rental of Carnival costumes provided by the municipal library: the costumes, cleaned and ready to wear, can be collected free of charge and returned after the festival. A simple gesture that makes the Carnival even more inclusive and accessible to all families.

A Community Celebration

Organized by the Municipality of San Lazzaro di Savena, the Carnival is a completely free community celebration, blending Emilian folk tradition, participation of local associations, and entertainment for children. For those living in Bologna and its surroundings, it is the ideal opportunity to spend a winter afternoon filled with colors and joy, just a few minutes from the Emilian capital.