Sarmato Carnival

The Sarmato Carnival, a village festival in Val Tidone

The Sarmato Carnival is the most anticipated event of the winter in Sarmato, a small municipality in the Province of Piacenza, in Emilia-Romagna, nestled in the plains of Val Tidone. Every year, on a Sunday in February, the historic center transforms into an open-air stage made of confetti, streamers, music, and masks. The event is organized by Pro Loco Sarmato APS, the association that has enthusiastically revived this popular tradition, returning it to the community as a moment of shared celebration.

The masked parade and the allegorical floats

The heart of the day is the masked parade that winds through the village streets: a joyous procession where the allegorical floats, the result of the work of groups and volunteers, advance accompanied by the marching band and majorettes. Traditional masks, costumed groups, and entire families take part in the parade, creating a festive spectacle that fills the squares and streets of the village. Recent editions have also included awards for the most successful floats and masked groups.

Entertainment and activities for children

The Sarmato Carnival is above all a celebration designed for families and children. Along the route and in dedicated areas, there are numerous entertainment activities:

• carousels and inflatables for children;
• face painting and makeup workshops;
• clown shows and baby dance;
• rides on the little train to discover the village in a fun way;
• games and entertainment for all ages.

There are also food stalls with the unmissable fritters and typical Carnival sweets, to be enjoyed between one parade and the next.

A tradition of the Four Provinces

Sarmato is located in a border region, where Emilia-Romagna meets Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria: this is the area of the so-called Four Provinces, rich in deep-rooted carnival traditions and ancient popular folklore. The Sarmato Carnival fits into this cultural context as a genuine expression of the village festival, where community participation is more important than the show itself. For the visitor, it is an opportunity to experience an authentic, family-friendly Carnival, far from large crowds and immersed in the welcoming atmosphere of Val Tidone.