Tarquinia Carnival
Masked group parades, music, and the traditional Mora procession in the heart of the Etruscan city
About Tarquinia Carnival
The Rediscovered Carnival of Tarquinia
In Tarquinia, a town in the Lazio region of Tuscia world-renowned for its Etruscan necropolises, the carnival has returned to brighten the historic center. After years of absence, the municipal administration relaunched the event in 2025 as a kind of "year zero," with the clear goal of growing the festival in both participation and quality with each passing edition. The gamble paid off: the Tarquinia Carnival is now one of the most anticipated winter events in the Viterbo province, successfully engaging schools, associations, dance troupes, and entire families.
Masked Group Parades
The heart of the festival lies in the grand parades of masked groups, which wind through the city center amidst music, choreography, and confetti. The processions connect the city's iconic landmarks: Piazzale Europa, Via Umberto I, Piazza Cavour, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, where the days conclude with celebrations filled with music and color. Each edition features diverse thematic groups—from 70s and 80s pop culture to beloved children's characters and creative free-themed groups—and participation is open to everyone: music and dance schools, educational institutions, groups of friends, associations, and individual citizens.
The Mora and the Shrove Tuesday Bonfire
The symbol of the Tarquinia Carnival is the Mora procession, a fascinating and emotionally charged ritual that accompanies the parades. It reaches its climax on Shrove Tuesday, when the event concludes with the evocative final bonfire. This is the most iconic moment of the festival, bridging the contemporary carnival with the city's deep-rooted popular traditions.
Fat Thursday for Kids
The program reserves plenty of space for the little ones: on Fat Thursday, the Top 16 shopping center hosts a grand carnival party for children, featuring musical entertainment, games, cartoon characters, and a contest rewarding the most beautiful and fun costumes for both adults and children. Admission is free.
A Community Festival in the Heart of Tuscia
Organized by the Municipality of Tarquinia in collaboration with the Pro Loco Tarquinia and the "Troppo Forti" volunteer group, the carnival is a community festival in the most authentic sense: free, participatory, and built from the ground up. For those visiting Lazio in winter, it is also an excellent opportunity to discover Tarquinia, its medieval palaces, towers, and extraordinary Etruscan heritage, just a stone's throw from the Tyrrhenian coast. And for those who want more, the city doubles down: in summer, Tarquinia Lido also hosts a colorful Summer Carnival with floats along the seafront.
Tarquinia Carnival — edition 2026
Tarquinia Carnival 2026: Three Days of Celebration
The Tarquinia Carnival 2026, organized by the Municipality with the Pro Loco Tarquinia and the "Troppo Forti" volunteer group, brought the city to life on February 8, 15, and 17. The parades featured three thematic groups: a dive into the iconic 70s and 80s with music, fashion, and pop culture; the infectious energy of the Minions loved by children; and a free-themed group dedicated to fantasy and creativity.
On Sunday, February 8, the procession departed at 3:30 PM from Piazzale Europa, traveling along Via Umberto I, Piazza Cavour, and Corso Vittorio Emanuele to Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, where the day concluded with a celebration of music and colors. On Sunday, February 15, the parade followed the reverse route, from Piazza Matteotti to Piazzale Europa. On Shrove Tuesday, February 17, the grand finale featured the traditional Mora procession, the symbol of the local carnival, and the evocative final bonfire; for the occasion, the Municipality arranged for early school dismissal.
On Thursday, February 12 (Fat Thursday), the Top 16 shopping center hosted a carnival party for children from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, featuring musical entertainment, games, cartoon characters, and prizes for the best costumes. All events were free of charge.
Programme Tarquinia Carnival 2026
2026 Program
- Sunday, February 8, 3:30 PM — Masked group parade: departure from Piazzale Europa, route along Via Umberto I, Piazza Cavour, and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, arrival at Piazza Giacomo Matteotti with a final celebration of music and colors.
- Thursday, February 12 (Fat Thursday), 4:00 PM–7:00 PM — Children's carnival party at the Top 16 shopping center: musical entertainment, games, cartoon characters, and a contest with prizes for the most beautiful and fun costumes. Free admission.
- Sunday, February 15, 3:30 PM — Masked group parade on the reverse route: from Piazza Giacomo Matteotti along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Piazza Cavour, and Via Umberto I to Piazzale Europa.
- Tuesday, February 17 (Shrove Tuesday) — Grand finale with the traditional Mora procession and the evocative concluding bonfire; early school dismissal.
Thematic parade groups: 70s and 80s (music, fashion, and pop culture), Minions, and free theme.
Highlights Tarquinia Carnival 2026
- Three masked group parades in the historic center
- The Mora procession and the Shrove Tuesday final bonfire
- Thematic groups: 70s–80s, Minions, and free theme
- Fat Thursday children's party at Top 16 with a costume contest
- Participation open to schools, associations, and citizens
Prices Tarquinia Carnival 2026
Practical information — Tarquinia Carnival
Getting There
Tarquinia can be reached by car via the A12 Rome-Civitavecchia motorway (Tarquinia exit) or the SS1 Aurelia road. By train, the Tarquinia station is on the Rome-Pisa line; from the station, buses and taxis connect to the historic center. The parades take place along the streets between Piazzale Europa and Piazza Giacomo Matteotti.
Admission
All carnival events are free and open to the public. In case of bad weather, parades may be cancelled or postponed: please check for updates on the official channels of the Municipality of Tarquinia and the Pro Loco.
Tips
The afternoon parades attract large crowds: it is advisable to arrive early to find parking outside the historic center. For those wishing to join the processions with their own masked group, contact details for the organizers are available.
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Where does it take place — Tarquinia Carnival
Centro storico di Tarquinia
Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, 01016 Tarquinia