Savignano Carnival
Floats, masquerades, and local tastings in the heart of the Cervaro Valley
About Savignano Carnival
A tradition built by the community
The Savignano Carnival is one of the most cherished events in the winter calendar of eastern Irpinia. It takes place in Savignano Irpino, a small town in the Province of Avellino overlooking the Cervaro Valley, on the border between Campania and Puglia. This is not a commercial spectacle designed for mass tourism; it is a festival that the village builds with its own hands, week after week, before pouring into the historic center for a full day of celebration.
The event has now surpassed its fourteenth edition and is considered a staple of local life: the 11th edition was held in 2019, the 12th in 2020, the 13th on February 18, 2024, and the 14th on March 2, 2025. In 2026, the festival moved to mid-February, spanning two dates on the 13th and 15th.
Floats and masquerades
The absolute stars of the show are the allegorical floats and masquerades, crafted by residents in the weeks leading up to the festival. Each float features a unique theme and is accompanied by a costumed group dancing and singing along the route. The parade is complemented by street performers, circus acts, live music, and folk dance sessions that directly involve the audience.
Among the elements etched into the collective memory of Savignano are the little train that carries children around the village streets and the traditional "surgical operation" sketch, a popular gag passed down from one edition to the next.
The route: from Viale della Repubblica to the Corso
The structure of the main day is well-established. Participants gather on Viale della Repubblica, where the procession begins, winding through the historic center. The parade concludes on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the heart of the town, where food stalls, award ceremonies, and the final musical show are concentrated. Via Alcide De Gasperi traditionally hosts the tastings, while Largo Vittorio Emanuele serves as the venue for circus performances and the awards ceremony.
The flavors of the Savignano Carnival
Gastronomy is not just a side note but an essential part of the festival: local stalls prepare for days to offer the dishes that accompany the parade and are enjoyed at the end of the procession.
- Cicatelli and beans, the local fresh pasta specialty
- Savignano-style stew, a signature dish of the festive days
- Typical Irpinian products offered by stalls along the Corso
- Street food stations distributed along the parade route
The awards
The Savignano Carnival maintains a healthy spirit of competition among the groups. At the end of the parade, prizes are awarded for the best float, the most original group, and the funniest costume: a symbolic recognition that carries great weight in the village, as every neighborhood and association works for months to be ready for the big day.
A festival designed for children
Alongside the main parade day, the program has for some years included an event dedicated to the little ones. In 2026, it was the «Oz Carnival» on February 13, while in 2025, the children's afternoon took place on Shrove Tuesday at the Municipal Auditorium. Access to all activities is free, and the event is noted as being fully accessible.
Organizers
The event is promoted by the Municipality of Savignano Irpino in collaboration with local associations Lu Strungone and Cromosoma X, with co-financing from the Campania Region. Past editions have also seen contributions from the Pro Loco Il Borgo, the San Nicola Multipurpose Center, the Rione Popolare Association, and the Don Milani Comprehensive Institute. The event is part of the Sistema Irpinia circuit, the tourism promotion network of the Province of Avellino, and the Irpinia Carnival calendar.
Why it's worth the trip
Savignano Irpino is a village of a few hundred inhabitants in one of the most remote areas of Campania: precisely for this reason, its Carnival retains an authentic dimension that has been lost elsewhere. Visitors do not witness a packaged show, but rather enter a village festival where the float builders are the same people serving the stew at the stalls. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the Cervaro Valley out of season, combining the day with a visit to the nearby villages of eastern Irpinia.
Savignano Carnival — edition 2026
Two days of celebration in Savignano Irpino
The 2026 Savignano Carnival moved its calendar forward compared to the previous year, taking place in mid-February. The first date, Friday, February 13, was dedicated entirely to children with the «Oz Carnival», a themed afternoon designed for the children of the town and neighboring municipalities.
The main day was Sunday, February 15: processions along the streets of the historic center, a parade of allegorical floats built by the residents, and a grand masquerade, with the addition of street food stations and street performers to entertain the public along the route.
The context: the Irpinia Carnival
The 2026 edition was included in the coordinated calendar of the Irpinia Carnival, which every year gathers the carnival events of the municipalities in the Province of Avellino. Savignano Irpino is featured as one of the stops in eastern Irpinia, along with the villages of the Cervaro and Ufita Valleys.
Admission
As per tradition, all initiatives were free and open to the public, promoted by the Municipality of Savignano Irpino with the associations Lu Strungone and Cromosoma X.
Programme Savignano Carnival 2026
Highlights Savignano Carnival 2026
Prices Savignano Carnival 2026
Practical information — Savignano Carnival
How to get there
By car: From the A16 Naples-Canosa motorway, take the exit for Grottaminarda or Vallata, then continue on provincial roads towards Savignano Irpino; the town is also located near the SS90 state road.
By train: The reference station is Savignano-Greci, on the Naples-Foggia line, built to serve the towns of Savignano Irpino and Greci; it is located in the valley below the town center, so a vehicle is needed to reach the village. Alternatively, you can head to Ariano Irpino.
Admission and costs
All Savignano Carnival activities are free and open to the public. Any purchases at food stalls and street food stations are at the participants' own expense.
Practical tips
- The Carnival takes place in the middle of winter at an altitude of about 700 meters: warm clothing and comfortable shoes are essential.
- The historic center is closed to traffic during the parade: it is best to park in the outer areas and reach Viale della Repubblica on foot.
- Times may be subject to change or postponement in case of bad weather, as has happened in the past: always check the Municipality of Savignano Irpino's Facebook page before setting off.
Contacts
Municipality of Savignano Irpino, Corso Vittorio Emanuele 8, 83030 Savignano Irpino (AV) — phone +39 0825 867009, e-mail [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Savignano Carnival
Centro storico — Viale della Repubblica e Corso Vittorio Emanuele
Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 83030 Savignano Irpino