San Mauro Carnival

The historic Carnival of the Florence Plain

The San Mauro Carnival is one of the most deeply rooted events in the Signa area, located in the province of Florence, in the heart of Tuscany. It takes place in the village of San Mauro a Signa and, with its many editions, stands as one of the most heartfelt carnival celebrations in the Florence Plain. Every year, for three Sundays in February, the village transforms into an open-air stage for the parade of grand papier-mâché floats.

The floats and masked parades

The heart of the festival is the masked parade: the floats set off in the early afternoon from the square in front of the Church of San Mauro and travel through the village streets. These impressive papier-mâché figures are the result of months of work: starting in autumn, volunteers from the Parish Committee model the paper in local workshops, bringing to life animated, satirical, and colorful structures that move through the crowd along the route.

• Three Sunday parades during the first weeks of February
• Allegorical floats handcrafted by volunteers
• Masked groups and costumes for all ages
• Opportunity to ride on the floats alongside the papier-mâché figures

Music, sweets, and village atmosphere

During the three Sundays of the festival, the streets of San Mauro come alive with music, stalls selling sweets, and traditional brigidini, the classic Tuscan anise-flavored treat. The atmosphere is that of a genuine village carnival: a popular, family-friendly event where the community gathers around a tradition passed down from generation to generation.

The Corrida di Sammoro

Alongside the parades, the program is enriched by the Corrida di Sammoro, a lighthearted talent show organized by the Pro Loco Signa with the motto "Show us your talent." Performances are held at the Ex Cinema Lux on Via della Croce, with a series of auditions during the weeks of the parades and a grand finale that closes the carnival season with fun and entertainment.

An event for the whole family

With free admission and a welcome donation to support the volunteers' work, the San Mauro Carnival is one of the best ways to experience the Carnival in Tuscany, away from large-scale events and immersed in the authentic spirit of the villages of the Plain. An appointment that colors Signa with masks, confetti, and joy every February.