Scampitella Carnival

Scampitella Carnival: Color and Joy in the Heart of the Baronia

Every year, between late February and early March, Scampitella transforms into the stage for one of the most popular festivals in the Baronia, the area of eastern Irpinia that rises toward the border with Puglia. The Scampitella Carnival, promoted by the Municipality of Scampitella (province of Avellino, Campania) and part of the province's Sistema Irpinia circuit, draws families, costumed groups, and visitors from neighboring towns for a day entirely dedicated to the parade of allegorical floats.

A Tradition Built by the Community

The Scampitella Carnival is not a show imported from elsewhere: the floats are created in the months leading up to the event in local garages and warehouses, where groups of volunteers of all ages work together on the papier-mâché, mobile structures, and costumes. It is a collective effort that brings different generations to the same table and is finally unveiled to the public on the day of the parade. At its core remains the ancient idea of changing one's guise: dressing up to overturn, at least for an afternoon, the roles and hierarchies of daily life in a small mountain village.

The Parade: From Piazza Libertà to Piazzale Padre Pio

The gathering point is traditionally Piazza Libertà, where the allegorical floats, costumed groups, and individual masks assemble in the early afternoon. From there, the procession moves along the town's streets, accompanied by music and the enthusiasm of the crowd, until it reaches Piazzale Padre Pio, which serves as the arrival point and the nerve center of the evening festivities. The route is short and entirely pedestrian: you can follow the parade on foot without needing to move your car.

Food Stalls and Local Flavors

Upon the arrival of the floats, the food stalls set up by the organizers open, offering a chance to taste local specialties. This is the moment when the carnival ceases to be just a parade and becomes a true town festival, with people stopping to eat, chat, and wait for the awards. Musical entertainment accompanies the public throughout the afternoon.

A Child-Friendly Carnival

An important part of the program is reserved for the little ones. Children's entertainment takes place in the rooms of the Former Primary School, opposite Piazzale Padre Pio, in a heated environment: a practical and thoughtful choice, given that at 775 meters above sea level, the late winter cold can be felt. Face painting, games, and group activities allow families to enjoy the day in comfort, even with small children.

Awards and Closing with Music

In the evening comes the moment most awaited by the groups: the awards ceremony for the most beautiful allegorical floats, masks, and costumed groups, which is effectively the culmination of months of work. Immediately after, the party continues with music and DJ sets until late, as the square turns into a dance floor.

Scampitella and the Baronia

Scampitella is a small town in Upper Irpinia, nestled at about 775 meters above sea level in an area of ridges, pastures, and wheat fields that marks the transition between Campania and the Tavoliere of Puglia. It is a territory rarely touched by mass tourism, where the calendar of festivals still marks the rhythm of collective life: in addition to the carnival, the town celebrates the St. Joseph's Bonfire in March and the Feast of the Holy Cross in May. Those arriving for the carnival will find an authentic context where the festival is created by the inhabitants before it is for the visitors.

Why It's Worth It

• A parade of papier-mâché allegorical floats entirely produced by the local community
• Free access to the parade and squares, no ticket required
• Continuous program from afternoon to late evening, with indoor entertainment for children
• Food stalls with Irpinian specialties
• An opportunity to discover the Baronia, a little-known corner of the province of Avellino