Vallagarina Carnival — Isera Maccheronata

A Carnival that becomes a widespread banquet

In Vallagarina, Carnival takes on a unique form: not just one single major event, but a constellation of celebrations that animate squares, parish halls, and community centers across various villages for weeks. The common thread is the maccheronata, the convivial ritual that gives the entire event its name and which each town interprets in its own way. Isera, a small village in Trentino-Alto Adige overlooking the Marzemino vineyards, is one of the most cherished stops in this long chain of events.

The Isera Maccheronata

On the day dedicated to Isera, volunteers turn the square into an outdoor kitchen: large steaming pots, maccheroni with meat sauce prepared and served on the spot, and shared tables where you sit elbow-to-elbow with neighbors, friends, and visitors. Alongside the main dish, there is no shortage of activities for adults and children, with games, entertainment, and costumes filling the day with color. It is a simple and authentic festival, built entirely on the volunteer work of the Isera Maccheroni Committee and local organizations.

A deeply rooted tradition

The Vallagarina maccheronate are much more than just an excuse to eat together: they represent a heritage of popular traditions that unites conviviality, a sense of community, and local gastronomic culture. Each stop has its own identity—some focus entirely on the maccheronata ritual, others add bands, games, and raffles, while some feature allegorical floats and masked groups. In Isera, the genuine, village-like soul prevails—the kind of shared tables that warm up the days of February.

In the heart of the Vallagarina

The event is promoted at the valley level by the APT Rovereto Vallagarina and Monte Baldo, involving dozens of municipalities and hamlets from Ala to Avio, and from Brentonico to Vallarsa. The calendar is spread throughout the Carnival period, with the heart of the celebrations concentrated in February. Participating in the Isera maccheronata means experiencing the Trentino Carnival in its truest dimension: that of the village, of volunteer work, and of good shared food.