Vallesaccarda Carnival
Masks, folk music, and dancing in the heart of eastern Irpinia
About Vallesaccarda Carnival
A village Carnival in the heart of Irpinia
Vallesaccarda is a small town in the Province of Avellino, overlooking the hills of the Baronia in eastern Irpinia. Here, the Carnival is not a show for tourists, but a celebration the village builds for itself: families prepare costumes, the Iris Association and the Pro Loco Vallesaccarda organize the days, the municipal administration grants its patronage, and the town center becomes everyone's stage for a few days. It is one of many Carnivals that, between February and March, light up the villages of inland Campania, each with its own unique masks and music.
«La masch'carata», the folk soul of the festival
The most iconic moment is the "masch'carata": a procession of performers, traditional masks, and folk music that starts in the square and winds through the village streets. There are no stands or tickets: participation is free, and anyone can join in wearing their own costume. It is a simple formula that returns the Carnival to its original purpose—to overturn the village's daily routines for a day and bring neighbors, children, and the elderly together in a single, joyful procession.
The 2026 edition program
The 2026 edition was divided into two events. Sunday, February 15, starting at 4:00 PM, the Iris Association enlivened the village with games and entertainment provided by Sister Service, along with food stalls—all with free admission and a special focus on children and families from neighboring towns. Tuesday, February 17, Shrove Tuesday, was the day for the "masch'carata," with a gathering in the square at 5:00 PM.
The Grand Masquerade Ball
Shrove Tuesday traditionally concludes indoors with the Grand Masquerade Ball hosted by the Hotel Ristorante Minicuccio, a historic landmark for Irpinian cuisine in Vallesaccarda. From 8:00 PM, the evening features a buffet dinner, themed games, and live music—in 2026 with the Archiband Trio, and in 2025 with the Fantasy Show. It is an occasion where dressing up becomes an act of elegance, and the street festival transforms into a convivial evening, with mandatory reservations and discounted rates for Pro Loco members and children.
A long-standing tradition
Local memory tells of an ancient Carnival, when children would go from house to house reciting dialect rhymes to receive sausages and eggs, coinciding with the pig-slaughtering season. Documented editions of the modern event date back to the late 1980s, when Professor Elio Pagliarulo turned it into a tool for reconciliation and community cohesion. In later years, families began building allegorical floats, true artisanal works created with resources and time provided by the citizens.
An event for all ages
- Free admission to the square festivities and the mask parade
- Games and entertainment designed for children, with workshops and activities
- Food stalls featuring traditional Irpinian flavors
- Live music and dancing during the closing evening
Vallesaccarda and the Baronia
Those who arrive for the Carnival will find a territory largely untouched by mass tourism: the Baronia is a land of wheat, olive oil, and cheese, with villages nestled on the hills and a gastronomic tradition that finds one of its most renowned addresses in Vallesaccarda. Combining the festival with a culinary stop is, here more than elsewhere, an integral part of the experience. The Irpinian Carnival season, also coordinated by local Pro Loco associations, allows visitors to build an itinerary across multiple villages over the same weekend.
Vallesaccarda Carnival — edition 2026
Two days of celebration
The 2026 Vallesaccarda Carnival combined an afternoon program for families with the traditional Shrove Tuesday parade. On Sunday, February 15, the Iris Association, under the patronage of the municipal administration, opened the festivities at 4:00 PM: games and entertainment provided by Sister Service, food stalls, and free admission, with the stated goal of attracting visitors from neighboring towns as well.
Shrove Tuesday
On February 17, the "masch'carata" returned: performers, folk music, and traditional masks paraded through the village streets starting at 5:00 PM, with free participation for anyone who wished to join in costume. The evening continued from 8:00 PM with the Grand Masquerade Ball at the Hotel Ristorante Minicuccio, promoted by the Pro Loco Vallesaccarda in collaboration with the restaurant: buffet dinner, themed games, and live music with the Archiband Trio.
Programme Vallesaccarda Carnival 2026
Sunday, February 15, 2026 — Carnival in the square
- From 4:00 PM: Opening of the festivities organized by the Iris Association under the patronage of the municipal administration
- Games and entertainment by Sister Service
- Food stalls and refreshment points
- Free admission, event open to children and adults
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 — «La masch'carata» and Grand Masquerade Ball
- 5:00 PM: Gathering in the square and parade through the village streets with performers, folk music, and traditional masks. Free participation: everyone can join with their own costume
- From 8:00 PM: Grand Masquerade Ball at the Hotel Ristorante Minicuccio, with buffet dinner, themed games, and live music by the Archiband Trio
- Reservations for the ball: +39 0827 97030 (restaurant), +39 380 3126293 (Giovanna), +39 342 1483053 (Sonia), +39 340 9217169 (Italo)
Organization: Iris Association and Pro Loco Vallesaccarda, in collaboration with Ristorante Minicuccio and under the patronage of the Municipality of Vallesaccarda.
Highlights Vallesaccarda Carnival 2026
- «La masch'carata»: performers, traditional masks, and folk music through the village streets
- The Grand Masquerade Ball at Minicuccio with live music by the Archiband Trio
- Afternoon of games and entertainment for children, with free admission
- Food stalls featuring Irpinian flavors
Prices Vallesaccarda Carnival 2026
Practical information — Vallesaccarda Carnival
How to get there
Vallesaccarda is located in eastern Irpinia, in the Province of Avellino. It is primarily reached by car via the provincial roads of the Baronia, in the area served by the A16 Naples-Canosa motorway. The town center is small: it is best to leave your car in the parking areas at the entrance to the village and continue on foot, as the central streets are occupied by the procession during the parade.
Hours
Festivities in the square take place in the afternoon (starting at 4:00 PM on Sunday), while the "masch'carata" gathering is scheduled in the square at 5:00 PM on Shrove Tuesday. The evening ball begins around 8:00 PM.
Costs and reservations
The square festivities and the parade are free to attend. Reservations are required for the Grand Masquerade Ball at the Hotel Ristorante Minicuccio: in 2026, tickets were €25 for Pro Loco members, €30 for non-members, €15 for those up to 15 years old, and free for children under 5. Useful contacts: +39 0827 97030 (restaurant), +39 380 3126293, +39 342 1483053, +39 340 9217169.
Tips
Bring a costume: participation in the procession is open to everyone, and dressing up is the best way to get into the spirit of the festival. In February, evening temperatures in the hills are cold, so wearing warm clothing under your costume is advisable. For updated information, it is best to follow the channels of the Municipality of Vallesaccarda and the Pro Loco.
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Where does it take place — Vallesaccarda Carnival
Piazza e vie del centro
Via Francesco Tedesco, 83050 Vallesaccarda