Testa di Lepre Carnival

The District Carnival on the Roman Coast

The Testa di Lepre Carnival is one of the most popular local events in the Fiumicino area, located within the Metropolitan City of Rome in the Lazio region. Testa di Lepre is a small agricultural hamlet in the Fiumicino hinterland, and this intimate setting is exactly what makes the event so authentic: it is not a carnival built for tourism, but a celebration the village prepares for itself and gladly shares with visitors.

The Four Districts

The heart of the event is the allegorical parade brought to life by the village's four historic districts, which compete every year in building their floats:

• Borgo
• Colonnacce
• Malvicina
• Prataroni

Each district spends weeks crafting its float and the accompanying costumed group, featuring hundreds of participants. Themes change annually, often drawing from Italian pop culture: recent editions have featured floats dedicated to the 70s and 80s, the Olympics, or iconic cartoons that defined generations. The competition between districts is never bitter; it is primarily a way to keep the sense of belonging to the village alive.

A Day of Celebration for Everyone

The event kicks off at noon in the main square with entertainment for children and adults, music, performances, jugglers, and games. In the early afternoon, the parade itself begins, traveling through the village streets amidst confetti, streamers, and music. At the end, the best-costume award is presented—a highly anticipated recognition, especially by the little ones.

Food Stalls

Along the parade route, food stalls are set up by local associations. The signature dish is the fettuccine del Palio dei Fontanili, handmade pasta that links the Carnival to the other major event in Testa di Lepre, the summer Palio between the same districts. You will also find traditional Lazio carnival sweets like frappe and castagnole, along with typical products from the Roman countryside.

Organizers

The initiative is promoted by the Pro Loco of Testa di Lepre, with the patronage of the Municipality of Fiumicino. It is part of the broader calendar of Carnival events on the Roman coast, which during the same weeks also involves Maccarese, Aranova, Fregene, and the Fiumicino seafront with its famous Sea Carnival.

Why it's worth visiting

Those looking for a spectacular, monumental carnival will find larger events elsewhere. Testa di Lepre offers something different and increasingly rare: a genuine, free village festival where floats are built by residents and where you can spend an afternoon among the locals. It is an excellent opportunity to discover a side of the Fiumicino territory that visitors to the airport and beaches never imagine, just a few kilometers from the most beaten tourist paths of Lazio.