Tivoli Carnival
Float parades, masked groups, and the King Carnival procession in the city of villas
About Tiburtino Carnival
A carnival born at the Este court
The Tivoli Carnival, also known as the Tiburtino Carnival, is one of the city's most cherished celebrations. Its origins likely trace back to the late 16th century, when Cardinal Ippolito d'Este established his residence in Tivoli and invited the Roman nobility to enjoy the carnival festivities, complete with masquerade balls and courtly entertainment. Since then, the tradition has remained unbroken: as the Municipality of Tivoli notes, it is «a tradition that has linked us to moments of collective joy since the 16th century».
Allegorical floats and masks through the city streets
The heart of the event lies in the parades of allegorical floats and masked groups, which for over a century have playfully poked fun at political and entertainment figures. The floats are accompanied by majorettes, marching bands, dance schools, street performers, and face-painting stations for children. The signature mask of the Tiburtino carnival is the Zibaldone, an eccentric figure in polka-dot trousers who embodies the playful spirit of the festival.
A festival spread across the entire city
The Tivoli Carnival is not confined to the historic center: the program reaches multiple points throughout the municipality. The main parades travel along the axis between Piazzale Matteotti, Via Aldo Moro, and Piazza Garibaldi, the grand panoramic square at the city's entrance. Meanwhile, other events enliven the districts of Villa Adriana—with masked processions through Parco Panattoni, Parco dei Meli, and Parco Andersen—and Tivoli Terme, where local school children parade at Parco Arcobaleno. Indoor events are also featured, such as children's costume contests at the Scuderie Estensi.
The grand finale on Shrove Tuesday
The festivities culminate on Shrove Tuesday with the King Carnival procession in Piazza Garibaldi: a highly anticipated moment that concludes, according to an ancient rite, with the burning of the papier-mâché puppet, symbolizing the end of the carnival and the beginning of Lent, amidst music, performances, and final farewells.
Tivoli, between UNESCO villas and popular traditions
Organized by the Municipality of Tivoli, in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, the carnival is also an opportunity to discover one of the most fascinating destinations in the Lazio region. The city, home to Villa d'Este, Villa Adriana, and Villa Gregoriana, offers visitors a unique setting where masks parade just steps away from world-renowned gardens and monuments. All carnival events are free and family-friendly, with food and craft stalls accompanying the days of celebration.
Tiburtino Carnival — edition 2026
The 2026 Tivoli Carnival opened on January 24 with an inaugural ceremony at the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, accompanied by a photographic exhibition on the festival's historic editions. For nearly a month, the program spanned all city districts, from the historic center to Villa Adriana and Tivoli Terme, featuring two outings of mini-floats and numerous masked groups, majorettes, and dance schools.
Among the most attended moments were the January 25 parade from Piazza Rivarola to Piazza Garibaldi with the Panarda di Ciciliano historical group, the February 7 music day with a traveling parade and DJ set, and the grand masked procession on February 8 in Villa Adriana. The grand finale took place on February 17, Shrove Tuesday, in Piazza Garibaldi, with the King Carnival procession and the traditional burning of the puppet. All events were free of charge.
Programme Tiburtino Carnival 2026
2026 Program
- Saturday, January 24, 4:00 PM — Church of San Michele Arcangelo: opening ceremony with a photographic exhibition on the carnival's history
- Sunday, January 25, 3:00 PM — From Piazza Rivarola to Piazza Garibaldi: float and masked group parade with the Panarda di Ciciliano historical group, food and craft stalls, professional face painting
- Sunday, February 1, 3:00 PM — Piazza Garibaldi: opening parade and mini masked procession, food stalls
- Saturday, February 7, 3:00 PM — Piazza Garibaldi: music day with floats, masked groups, a traveling musical parade through Tivoli's squares, and DJ set
- Sunday, February 8, 3:00 PM — Villa Adriana, Parco Panattoni: grand masked procession to Parco dei Meli
- Thursday, February 12, 4:00 PM — Scuderie Estensi: children's costume contest with entertainment
- Saturday, February 14, 3:00 PM — Parco Andersen (Villa Adriana): party with entertainment for all ages
- Sunday, February 15, 3:00 PM — Parco Arcobaleno (Tivoli Terme): parade of elementary and middle school children, "Most Creative Mask" contest, and educational theater show on the origins of carnival
- Tuesday, February 17 (Shrove Tuesday), 3:00 PM — Piazza Garibaldi: King Carnival procession with the traditional puppet burning, music, and final farewells
Highlights Tiburtino Carnival 2026
- King Carnival procession and puppet burning in Piazza Garibaldi on Shrove Tuesday
- Allegorical float and masked group parades in the historic center
- Music day with traveling parade and DJ set
- Masked processions in the Villa Adriana and Tivoli Terme districts
- Children's costume contests at the Scuderie Estensi and Parco Arcobaleno
- Panarda di Ciciliano historical group, majorettes, and marching bands
Prices Tiburtino Carnival 2026
Practical information — Tiburtino Carnival
How to get there
Tivoli can be reached from Rome in about 40 minutes: by train on the regional FL2 Rome Tiburtina–Avezzano line (Tivoli station), by Cotral bus from Ponte Mammolo, or by car via the A24 motorway (Tivoli exit) or the Via Tiburtina. The main parades take place between Piazzale Matteotti, Via Aldo Moro, and Piazza Garibaldi; on float parade days, traffic in the center may be subject to changes, and the ZTL (restricted traffic zone) is deactivated or reorganized.
Admission
All Tivoli Carnival events are free to attend.
Tips
In case of bad weather, parades may be postponed to makeup dates. Take advantage of your visit to explore the UNESCO-listed Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana.
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Where does it take place — Tiburtino Carnival
Piazza Garibaldi e centro storico di Tivoli
Piazza Garibaldi, 00019 Tivoli