Urbino Carnival of the Districts
The districts of the ducal city parade in costume through the streets of the historic centre
About Urbino Carnival
The Carnival that Unites Urbino's Districts
In the heart of the Marche region, the ducal city of Urbino (Province of Pesaro and Urbino) experiences its most cheerful event every winter: the Carnival of the Districts. It's not just a simple costume parade, but a friendly competition between the city's historic neighbourhoods, which spend weeks preparing allegorical floats, costumes, and choreography. The result is a parade that winds through the medieval streets of the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, transforming it into an open-air stage.
The Districts Take Centre Stage
The pulsating heart of the event are the Urbino districts, each presenting a different theme and a meticulously detailed masked group. Among the districts that liven up the parade are San Bernardino, Lavagine, Valbona, Piantata, Mazzaferro, Monte, and Piansevero. They are joined by students from the city's schools, particularly the historic Scuola del Libro (School of Art and Book Design) and the Liceo Laurana Baldi (Laurana Baldi High School), as well as young people from the Centro Francesca, in a project that blends popular tradition with educational activities.
A Carnival for All Ages
The programme is designed for adults, young people, and children. It begins with masked afternoons dedicated to the little ones, featuring face painting, balloon sculpting, baby dance, group games, and shows, followed by evening parties in the marquee at the Collegio Raffaello, where DJs keep the young people dancing until late at night. The highlight remains the grand Saturday parade, which winds its way from the city gates to the Triumph of Carnival and the awards ceremony in Piazza della Repubblica.
Tradition, Community, and Solidarity
Organised by the Municipality of Urbino with the Department of Youth Policies, the Carnival of the Districts is also an occasion for social gathering and civic engagement: along the route, there are stands from associations like Avis (blood donors) and the Red Cross, raising awareness about blood donation. The distribution of sweets, music, colours, and masks make this festival one of the most cherished events in the winter calendar of Urbino and the entire Marche region.
Urbino Carnival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition was spread over two main days. The programme confirmed the formula that alternates moments dedicated to the youngest, evening parties for young people, and the spectacular parade of the districts in the historic centre of Urbino, concluding with the Triumph of Carnival and the awards ceremony in Piazza della Repubblica.
Programme Urbino Carnival 2026
Thursday, February 12 (Shrove Thursday) — Collegio Raffaello
- 4:30 PM — Raffaello Hall: masked party for children with face painting, balloon sculpting, storytelling, baby dance, group games, and mascots Baby Shark, Mickey Mouse, Stitch, and Sonic; "Peter Pan in the Land of Pirates" show
- 10:30 PM — Marquee in the courtyard: "After" party for young people with music by DJs Andrea Aloigi and Nerse
Saturday, February 21 — Parade of the Districts
(The parade, originally scheduled for Saturday, February 14, was postponed to February 21 due to bad weather.)
- 2:30 PM — Fortezza Albornoz: official group photo
- 3:30 PM — Parade start from Santa Lucia, along Via Bramante, Via Raffaello, San Francesco church, Piazza della Repubblica, Via Veneto to Piazza del Rinascimento
- Around 5:00 PM — Piazza della Repubblica: Triumph of Carnival and awards ceremony
- In the evening — Marquee at the Collegio Raffaello: party for young people until the early hours of the morning
Participating districts included San Bernardino (theme Mary Poppins), Lavagine (Madagascar), Valbona (Indians and Cowboys), Piantata (Aliens), Mazzaferro (Cocktails), Monte (Super Mario), and Piansevero (Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics), along with Centro Francesca, Scuola del Libro ("Where Paper Dreams"), and Liceo Laurana Baldi ("The New World and Great Geographical Discoveries"). Stands from Avis and the Red Cross were also present.
Highlights Urbino Carnival 2026
- Parade of the city districts with allegorical floats and masked groups
- Victory of the Piansevero district as "Best Masked Group" with the theme of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
- "Most Engaging Group" award to the Valbona district and "Friendliest Group" to Mazzaferro
- Triumph of Carnival and awards ceremony in Piazza della Repubblica
- Masked parties for children and dancing parties for young people at the Collegio Raffaello
Prices Urbino Carnival 2026
Practical information — Urbino Carnival
How to Get Here
Urbino is not directly served by train: the nearest station is Pesaro, from which regular buses depart for the ducal city. By car, it can be reached via the Fano-Grosseto dual carriageway (SS73bis), exit Urbino.
Where It Takes Place
The parade winds through the historic centre of Urbino, starting from the Santa Lucia area and continuing along Via Bramante, Via Raffaello, and past the church of San Francesco, leading to Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza del Rinascimento. The official group photo is taken at the Fortezza Albornoz. Children's activities and evening parties take place at the Collegio Raffaello.
Practical Tips
Admission to the parade is free. Fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited during the event to ensure participant safety. Warm clothing is recommended, and of course, a mask to fully immerse yourself in the carnival atmosphere.
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Where does it take place — Urbino Carnival
Piazza della Repubblica