San Romano Carnival

A carnival born from children

The San Romano Carnival is one of the most cherished traditions in the village of San Romano, part of the municipality of Montopoli in Val d'Arno, in the province of Pisa. Its history began in 1992, when local mothers had the idea of having their children parade in costumes inspired by fairy tales. From that small, improvised procession, a genuine community festival has grown over the decades, now spanning more than thirty years and attracting families from across the lower Valdarno area every year.

Parades along the Lungarno Pacinotti

The heart of the event is the parade of allegorical floats, which travels through the town starting from Lungarno Pacinotti, along the banks of the Arno. The floats, typically four in number, are crafted entirely by volunteers from the San Romano Carnival Cultural Association and follow a theme chosen annually in collaboration with the children, often inspired by fairy tales, stories, and shared values. Alongside the floats, masks, costumed groups, and the young students from local nursery and primary schools take part in the procession.

The Baby Band and entertainment

Leading each masked procession is the Baby Band, a children's musical group that sets the rhythm for the festivities. The afternoons are filled with choreography, entertainment, confetti, and traditional Tuscan carnival treats, such as cenci (fried pastry ribbons) and fritters. The atmosphere is that of a classic village festival: simple, inclusive, and deeply rooted in the life of the San Romano community.

A festival for the whole community

The San Romano Carnival is the result of the hard work of many volunteers: artisans, seamstresses, float builders, teachers, and families who collaborate for months on the preparations. Nearby organizations from the Pisan territory also participate, with the collaboration of groups and associations from the Val d'Arno. Each edition concludes with the distribution of gifts to the children, a snack, and a large charity lottery.

San Romano and the Valdarno region of Tuscany

Located along the Via Tosco Romagnola, between Pisa and Florence, San Romano is a bustling village in Montopoli in Val d'Arno, in the heart of the lower Valdarno. The carnival represents one of the most important social events of the year and an opportunity to discover the hospitality of this corner of Tuscany, far from mass tourism circuits, amidst villages, countryside, and the authentic traditions of the province of Pisa.