Vicovaro Carnival

A village carnival in the heart of the Aniene Valley

The Vicovaro Carnival is the great winter festival of Vicovaro, a village in the middle Aniene Valley nestled along the ancient Via Tiburtina Valeria, in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio. For several consecutive Sundays between February and Shrove Tuesday, the streets of the historic center fill with confetti, music, and cheerful folk processions: allegorical floats built by local districts and associations, themed costume groups, and entire families in fancy dress transform the town into an open-air stage.

A rediscovered tradition

As in many towns in the Tiburtine hinterland, the carnival in Vicovaro has deep popular roots. After a long hiatus, the tradition was brought back to life thanks to the efforts of the "G. Rossini" band association and is now organized and coordinated by the Pro Loco of Vicovaro, with the support of the Municipality. Year after year, the event has grown to become one of the most popular carnival celebrations in the area: the 2025 edition featured over 320 participants divided into 15 groups, with original costumes and majestic floats that drew crowds from all the neighboring towns.

The parade: allegorical floats and costumed groups

The heart of the festival is the parade of allegorical floats and costumed groups, which takes place over several Sundays. The procession winds through the main streets of the town—Via San Vito, Via Santa Maria, Via Garibaldi, and Via Roma—accompanied by DJ sets, roaming music, and entertainment for children. The groups, often consisting of dozens of people, spend months preparing choreography and themed costumes, sparking a competition that is as heartfelt as it is good-natured.

The grand finale in Piazza San Pietro

The final Sunday of the carnival is dedicated to the grand finale: after the closing parade, everyone gathers in Piazza San Pietro, the town's living room, for the awards ceremony for the best costumes and groups. With music, shows, and presenters, the square turns into a massive collective party that officially closes the Vicovaro Carnival until the following year.

Vicovaro, a village between history and nature

Attending the Vicovaro Carnival is also a great opportunity to discover a village rich in history: the historic center preserves the Renaissance-style Tempietto di San Giacomo and overlooks the Aniene Valley, just a few kilometers from Tivoli and the Lucretili Mountains. The local festival calendar is packed: from the Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot in January to the Bread Festival in June, all the way to the evocative Inchinata in mid-August and the Feast of the Madonna Avvocata Nostra in September.

A festival for everyone

The Vicovaro Carnival is a free, family-friendly event: children, teenagers, and adults parade side by side, and the public is encouraged to join in costume. To ensure everyone's safety, the Municipality issues ordinances during the festival days that restrict the sale of drinks in glass bottles and cans along the route.