Vitulazio Carnival

The Vitulazio Carnival, the festival that brightens winter in the Terra di Lavoro

For two or three afternoons a year, Vitulazio, a small town in the Province of Caserta in Campania, transforms: the streets of the centre are filled with confetti, music accompanies the parade of allegorical floats, and Piazza Riccardo II becomes a large party space for children and families. This is the Vitulazio Carnival, the event that in just a few years has established itself as the most popular winter gathering in the town.

A young but deeply rooted tradition

The event was born recently and has grown steadily, reaching its third edition in 2026, which took place on February 15th and 17th, i.e., Carnival Sunday and Shrove Tuesday. The formula is simple and well-tested: a gathering in the early afternoon, the opening of the children's village, the grand parade through the town streets, and a ceremonial moment in the square. Local reports described packed streets and a turnout exceeding expectations, with families, young people, and the elderly coming together: more than just simple entertainment, it is a collective ritual that is becoming a shared heritage of the community.

Allegorical floats, folk groups, and street performers

The heart of the event is the parade. The procession winds through the centre accompanied by folk groups, mascots, stilt walkers, and itinerant artists. Among the protagonists of recent editions:

• Allegorical floats created by the Artando cultural association;
• the Majorette MCF folk group from Roccapiemonte;
• performances by local dance schools, including Juanny Dance;
• the Trombonieri and Knights of the Bolla Pontificia A.D. 1394, in historical costume;
• mascots, street performers, and itinerant musical entertainment.

The rhythm is typical of Southern Italian village carnivals: no monumental scale of a major national carnival, but an authentic festival, built from the ground up, where masked groups consist mainly of residents, local associations, and school children.

The children's village in Piazza Riccardo II

Before and during the parade, Piazza Riccardo II hosts an area entirely dedicated to children: themed games, entertainment, and the inevitable Carnival treats. This is what makes the event particularly suitable for families with young children, who can follow the festivities without moving too far and wait in the square for the procession to pass.

The handover of the city keys

The most symbolic moment is the handover of the city keys: the mayor ideally entrusts the town to the King of Carnival, who governs it for the duration of the festivities and returns them on the final day, before the musical closing. It is a ritual found in many Italian carnivals and is celebrated here in the square before the public, between one performance and another.

Organizers

The event is promoted by the Vitulazio Arte e Festival association, with the patronage and full cooperation of the Municipality of Vitulazio, led by Mayor Antonio Scialdone, and organized by the Events Department. Participation is free and open to all, as is traditional for village festivals in the area.

Vitulazio and the Terra di Lavoro

Vitulazio has just over 7,700 inhabitants and lies at the foot of Monte Grande, about thirty kilometres north of Naples, in the plain crossed by the Volturno river, just minutes from Capua and Santa Maria Capua Vetere. The main square is named after Riccardo II, to whose court, in the 12th century, the origin of the expression "Terra di Lavoro" is traced. It is a territory rich in Roman and medieval heritage, where festivals and popular celebrations mark the year. The Vitulazio Carnival fits into this calendar as the event that opens the outdoor season, before Easter and the spring patronal feasts.

When to go

The event is concentrated on the key days of Carnival, i.e., the preceding Sunday and Shrove Tuesday, with afternoon hours: the gathering is scheduled around 2:30 PM, the parade starts at 3:30 PM, and the party continues until evening. It is advisable to arrive a little early to find parking in the streets adjacent to the centre, which is closed to traffic during the procession.