Valle dei Laghi Grand Carnival

A decentralized carnival across the villages of the Valle dei Laghi

The Valle dei Laghi Grand Carnival is not just a single event, but a true traveling carnival that, for several weeks between January and February, visits the villages of the Vallelaghi municipality and the surrounding areas of the Valle dei Laghi, in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). Coordinated by the Valle dei Laghi Tourist Consortium, the event brings together local associations, pro loco groups, and masked troupes from across the valley into one unified calendar.

Every weekend and on the peak days of the Carnival, the festivities move from town to town: Vigo Cavedine, Lon, Ciago, Ranzo, Brusino, Margone, Monte Terlago, Terlago, Calavino, Cavedine, Sarche, Pietramurata, Lagolo, Stravino, Castel Madruzzo, Fraveggio, Covelo, Padergnone, Pergolese, Vezzano, and Lasino. This makes the Carnival a perfect opportunity to rediscover all the valley's communities, each with its own culinary specialty and unique celebration.

Masks, floats, and tradition

The heart of the event is the parade of masks and allegorical floats, accompanied by live music, group dances, games, and plenty of entertainment designed especially for children. Traditional highlights like Fat Thursday and Shrove Tuesday are always on the agenda, alongside special events such as the Youth Carnival in Pietramurata and the Contadinazzi Carnival in Cavedine, which evokes the rural life of the past.

Gastronomy from village to village

The Grand Carnival is also a journey through traditional Trentino flavors. At every stop, local dishes are served in the town squares: gnocchi, bigoi with ragu, penne, macaroni, tripe, and polenta, with specialties varying by town, such as the bigoi with ragu in Ciago and Castel Madruzzo, the Margonese pasta in Margone, or the green gnocchi in Lagolo. Everything is paired with mulled wine and hot drinks, creating a festive atmosphere that warms even the coldest winter days.

A sustainable event

Mindful of the environment, the Valle dei Laghi Carnival promotes waste reduction with the invitation to "Generate less waste, bring your own plate!": a small gesture that combines the tradition of village festivals with a new ecological awareness.

An event for the whole valley

Thanks to its traveling and free-to-attend format, the Valle dei Laghi Grand Carnival has become one of the most cherished winter events in the region: a way to come together, keep popular traditions alive, and celebrate the identity of the Valle dei Laghi, nestled among lakes, vineyards, and villages just a stone's throw from Lake Garda.