Sangiorgese Carnival

The Sangiorgese Carnival: A February Celebration in the Sannio Region

When Carnival week arrives, San Giorgio del Sannio transforms into a massive open-air stage. The Sangiorgese Carnival fills the town streets with allegorical floats, costumed groups, dance schools, and live music, making it one of the most popular events in the local calendar of this part of the province of Benevento, in Campania.

The 2026 edition spanned two days, Sunday, February 15th, and Tuesday, February 17th, combining a grand float parade, an afternoon dedicated to children, and the traditional final ritual of the 'Trial of Carnival'.

The Float Parade: From Rione Ginestra to Piazza Risorgimento

The heart of the event is the allegorical float parade, which follows a well-established route through the town center:

• Gathering and departure from Rione Ginestra, the historic meeting point for floats and costumed groups;
• A procession through the town streets, surrounded by crowds, confetti, and music;
• Arrival at Piazza Risorgimento, where the main square becomes the stage for the final festivities.

These floats are not built in professional workshops; they are crafted by local neighborhoods, parishes, and youth groups who spend weeks working on themes of current events, satire, and fantasy. In several editions, a jury has awarded prizes to the most creative float or costumed group.

Children in the Spotlight: The 'Pignatta' and the Carnival King

The afternoon of the parade is dedicated to families. One of the most anticipated moments is the traditional breaking of the pignatta, a popular game where children, blindfolded and in turns, try to smash a terracotta pot filled with sweets—a simple ritual that has persisted in San Giorgio del Sannio for generations. This is followed by the proclamation of the Carnival King, which symbolically concludes the playful part of the day.

Throughout the event, food stalls and inflatables remain open, allowing families with young children to enjoy the festivities at their own pace.

The Trial and Burning of Carnival

The second day, Shrove Tuesday, hosts the oldest and most theatrical moment of the event: the public trial of Carnival and its symbolic burning. This is a widespread ritual throughout Southern Italy, where the Carnival effigy is accused, judged, and finally burned; its condemnation marks the end of the time of transgression and the beginning of Lent. In San Giorgio del Sannio, the trial maintains an ironic and communal tone, incorporating satire about the year's events into the performance.

A Community-Built Festival

The organizational machine brings together the Municipal Administration, the Pro Loco, the Cuore al Centro Association, Unitalsi, and the Siano Eventi agency. Presenting the 2026 edition, Mayor Giuseppe Ricci noted that the Carnival represents one of the most authentic expressions of the town's collective identity, highlighting the teamwork between associations and volunteers.

Coordinator Antonio Maria Molinaro emphasized two points: an inclusive festival designed for all ages, and a Carnival that is environmentally conscious, urging the public to refrain from using spray cans, plastic confetti, and streamers.

San Giorgio del Sannio: Between Sannio and Irpinia

With just under ten thousand inhabitants, San Giorgio del Sannio is one of the most populous municipalities in the province of Benevento, situated at an altitude of about 380 meters along the route connecting the Sannio capital to Irpinia. The territory includes several hamlets, including Ginestra, where the parade begins. The patron saint is Saint George the Martyr, celebrated on April 23rd. The Carnival and the patronal feast are the two pillars of the town's calendar, which has held its current name since 1929, when the ancient San Giorgio della Montagna was renamed.

Previous Editions

The event has a storied history. In 2017, the Pro Loco organized two days of festivities on February 26th and 28th, with floats displayed on Viale Spinelli. In 2019, the third edition was held, starting from Piazza Bocchini in Ginestra with the 'Banda di Giggino' accompanying the procession. After a hiatus, the Carnival returned on March 2, 2025, and was repeated in 2026.