Tiber Carnival
Rome's carnival celebrated on the Tiber, featuring masks, canoes, and rafts
Edition 2026 — event currently on hold
There is no edition scheduled in 2026 for this event. This page remains accessible to archive the history of the manifestation and will be updated if a new edition is announced.
About Tiber Carnival
A Carnival celebrated on the water
The Tiber Carnival is one of the most original takes on the Roman Carnival: instead of taking place in a city square, it chooses the Tiber as its stage. In the city of Rome, capital of the Metropolitan City of Rome and the Lazio Region, the event starts at Scalo de Pinedo, just a short walk from the Flaminio metro station, and travels down the river to the iconic silhouette of Castel Sant'Angelo in the Borgo district.
Founded in 2022 by the Discesa Internazionale del Tevere (International Tiber Descent) sports association, the event has a dual nature: sporting and popular. On one hand, there is the aquatic parade of canoes, rafts, SUPs, and pedal boats; on the other, a masked walk along the banks, designed for children and families. The result is an unusual Carnival that combines play with the discovery of a natural heritage often forgotten by the Romans themselves.
The two sides of the festival: on water and on foot
The descent on the water covers a round-trip route of about 6 kilometers, led by qualified guides, with a maximum number of boats allowed and mandatory life jackets and helmets. Those wishing to enter the water with their own equipment must be registered with the organizing association for insurance reasons.
The land route, spanning about 3 kilometers, is completely free and guided: participants walk along the Tiber's cycle-pedestrian path, crossing the Lungotevere delle Navi Nature Oasis, with stops, nature talks, and entertainment for the little ones. It is the ideal format for families who want to participate without any special equipment.
Historical masks and fantastic creatures
The true hallmark of the Tiber Carnival are the "Fantastic Creatures of the Tiber": large figures and costumes inspired by the river's real and imaginary fauna, which parade on the water towed by the boats. Accompanying them are historical masks of Roman tradition, such as Meo Patacca and Tiburtello, which root the event in local folklore.
- Awards for the most creative masks made from recycled materials
- Special prize for children's costumes
- Instagram photo contest with the hashtag #carnevaletiberino
- Professional entertainment with games, music, and children's activities
An event with an environmental mission
Behind the festival lies a clear project: to promote the Tiber basin and bring citizens back to the river, drawing attention to a waterway that crosses the historic center but remains underutilized. For this reason, the event is held in collaboration with organizations such as Marevivo, Agenda Tevere, UISP Roma, and Roma Rafting, under the patronage of Municipio I Roma Centro.
The choice of recycled materials for costumes, the focus on outdoor physical activity, and the completely free nature of participation make the Tiber Carnival an event closer to a participatory ecological day than a classic carnival parade.
When and for whom
The event is held during the Carnival season, generally on a Saturday morning between February and early March, from approximately 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It is suitable for all ages: children are the true stars on land, while canoeists and river sports enthusiasts participate on the water. As it is an outdoor event on the water, bad weather or the closure of the riverbanks may lead to postponement or cancellation: it is always advisable to check for updates on the organizers' website the day before.
Tiber Carnival — edition 2026
5th edition cancelled due to bad weather
The fifth edition of the Tiber Carnival was expected in Rome on Saturday, February 14, 2026, with a meeting at 10:00 AM at Scalo de Pinedo (Flaminio metro). The program included welcoming masked children with entertainers, the start of the masked walk at 11:00 AM towards Castel Sant'Angelo, and, in parallel, the aquatic parade of the "Fantastic Creatures of the Tiber".
However, the edition could not take place: bad weather and the resulting closure of the Tiber riverbanks forced the ASD Discesa Internazionale del Tevere to cancel the event. The organizers invited everyone to the Tiber Masquerade on March 21, 2026, which adopted the same spring format along the river.
The planned program
As in previous editions, participation was free, with prizes for masks made from recycled materials and an Instagram photo contest. The event was organized in collaboration with Marevivo, Agenda Tevere, UISP Roma, and Roma Rafting, under the patronage of Municipio I Roma Centro.
Programme Tiber Carnival 2026
Planned program — Saturday, February 14, 2026
- 10:00 AM — Meeting at Scalo de Pinedo (Flaminio metro): welcoming masked children with professional entertainers, games, music, and activities
- 11:00 AM — Start of the masked walk, accompanied by the BimbiTrek staff, through the Lungotevere delle Navi Nature Oasis and the Tiber cycle-pedestrian path (approx. 3 km route)
- 11:00 AM — Simultaneous start of the water parade: canoes, rafts, SUPs, and pedal boats with the "Fantastic Creatures of the Tiber" (approx. 6 km round-trip route, max 40 boats)
- Participation of historical Roman masks Meo Patacca and Tiburtello, the latter for the first time in an aquatic version
- Approx. 1:00 PM — Arrival at Castel Sant'Angelo and awards ceremony
The event was cancelled due to bad weather and the closure of the riverbanks.
Highlights Tiber Carnival 2026
- Aquatic parade of the "Fantastic Creatures of the Tiber" featuring canoes, rafts, and SUPs
- Masked walk for families from Scalo de Pinedo to Castel Sant'Angelo
- Aquatic debut of the historical Roman mask Tiburtello, alongside Meo Patacca
- Prizes for the most original masks made from recycled materials and for children's costumes
- Instagram photo contest with the hashtag #carnevaletiberino
- Professional entertainment, games, and music for children along both banks
Prices Tiber Carnival 2026
Practical information — Tiber Carnival
How to get there
Meeting point at Scalo de Pinedo, on Lungotevere Arnaldo da Brescia: it can be reached on foot in a few minutes from the Flaminio stop on Metro A (Line A, Piazzale Flaminio exit). Numerous surface lines serve the Lungotevere and Piazza del Popolo. The finish line is at Castel Sant'Angelo, in the Borgo district, served by the Lepanto stop (Metro A) and tram and bus lines along the Lungotevere. Driving is discouraged: the historic center is largely a ZTL (restricted traffic zone) and parking along the river is limited.
Costs and registration
Participation is free for both the walking and cycling routes. To enter the water with your own equipment (canoe, SUP, raft), registration with the ASD Discesa Internazionale del Tevere is mandatory for insurance purposes, in addition to the use of a life jacket, helmet, and water-appropriate footwear.
Tips
Arrive on time at the starting point: the parade departs at a fixed time and it is not possible to join along the water route. Dress children in layers, as the morning along the river can be cold and damp. Costumes made from recycled materials are eligible for prizes. In case of bad weather, the event may be postponed or cancelled: check the organizers' website the day before.
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Where does it take place — Tiber Carnival
Fiume Tevere — da Scalo de Pinedo a Castel Sant'Angelo
Scalo de Pinedo, Lungotevere Arnaldo da Brescia, 00193 Roma