San Vito Carnival

An authentic village carnival in the heart of the Monti Prenestini

The San Vito Carnival is the grand winter celebration of San Vito Romano, a village perched about 650 meters above sea level in the Monti Prenestini, near Rome. Over several days, from early February through Shrove Tuesday, the historic center and the «V. Bachelet» Villa Comunale fill with confetti, music, and costumes, creating a festive atmosphere that unites the entire town: schools, associations, families, and visitors from neighboring towns and the capital alike.

Float parades

The heart of the event lies in the float parades, meticulously crafted with imagination by local groups. The processions traditionally start from the Viale Giovanni XXIII parking lot and wind through the village center, accompanied by masked groups, dancing, and roving performers. The costume contest is a highlight, awarding the most original and creative outfits and turning the audience into the stars of the show.

The Yellow Pizza and Broccoli Festival

A distinctive feature of the San Vito Carnival is its deep bond with local gastronomy. During the main weekend, the festivities intertwine with the historic Yellow Pizza and Broccoli Festival, which reaches its 29th edition in 2026. In a covered, heated area at the Villa Comunale, visitors can taste the signature golden-hued polenta pizza, served with sautéed broccoli, frittegli, zazzicchie, and local wines—genuine expressions of San Vito's peasant cuisine, served in a lively atmosphere with DJ sets, group dances, and entertainment.

Shrove Tuesday and the burning of King Carnival

The grand finale takes place on Shrove Tuesday: in the morning, local school children parade alongside a float, while the afternoon features a large masquerade party at the Villa Comunale, culminating in the traditional burning of King Carnival—a propitiatory rite that symbolically closes the carnival season and welcomes the arrival of spring.

A community celebration

The event is promoted by the Municipality of San Vito Romano in collaboration with the Pro Loco and the Il Pellegrino Association, involving the local marching band, majorettes, and many town volunteers. It is a family-friendly, free, and genuine carnival that perfectly captures the spirit of Lazio's villages: here, folk tradition is not a tourist re-enactment, but a celebration truly lived by the community.

Why attend

• Float parades and masquerade groups in the historic center
• Yellow Pizza and Broccoli Festival featuring traditional San Vito dishes
• Masquerade parties with DJ sets and dancing in the covered, heated Villa Comunale
• The evocative burning of King Carnival on Shrove Tuesday
• A chance to discover an authentic village in the Monti Prenestini, just an hour from Rome