Vetralla Carnival

A handmade carnival in the heart of Tuscia

The Vetralla Carnival is one of the most cherished events in the province of Viterbo. Each year, between February and Shrove Tuesday, the streets and squares of Vetralla—an ancient village nestled along the Via Cassia in northern Lazio—are filled with confetti, music, and masks for a celebration that unites the whole community. The event is organized by the Carnevale Vetrallese APS association, founded in 2018 and led by Alessio Canensi, which has quickly become a key cultural landmark in the region.

Entirely handmade allegorical floats

What makes this carnival unique in the Tuscia region is the commitment to total self-production of the floats: no pre-made elements are used. Every structure is born solely from the hands and ideas of the association's members and volunteer groups who work for months in their workshop. Recent editions have featured up to five floats and nearly five hundred participants, with themes ranging from fantasy to satire: Harlequin, the Flintstones, Pac-Man, Shrek, and Japanese culture, accompanied by masked groups like the 'Flower Children' and the 'Four Seasons'. Local entities such as the Tre Croci Festival Committee also participate alongside the association.

A program of daytime and night parades

The heart of the festival lies in the Sunday float parades through the historic center, departing from Via Don Benedetto Baldi near the 'Pietro Canonica' Municipal Villa. The procession is animated by marching bands—such as the 'O. Pistella' band—as well as stilt walkers, samba percussionists, and entertainment troupes. In recent years, an evocative night parade has been added, featuring a party, food area, and shows at the Municipal Park. Shrove Thursday is traditionally dedicated to children with a masquerade party.

The Death of King Carnival

On Shrove Tuesday, the Vetralla Carnival concludes with its most evocative ritual: the 'Death of King Carnival', a mourning procession that accompanies the sovereign's effigy to its final bonfire, amidst theatrical weeping and popular irony. The evening ends with the carnival raffle draw and final celebrations, a moment of gathering for the whole town.

A community celebration spanning two towns

The carnival organized by the Vetralla association does not stop at the town's borders: some editions have included parades, balls, and masquerade parties in the nearby town of Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia, demonstrating a festival capable of uniting the towns of the Cimini Mountains. Through craftsmanship, imagination, and social commentary—many floats carry current events messages—the Vetralla Carnival is now one of the most anticipated winter events in the Lazio region, attracting thousands of spectators from across the province of Viterbo.