Every year in February, this upmarket town on the Versilia coast puts on a carnival like nothing you’ve ever seen before, turning the town into a real factory of fun. Children throw confetti at each other, and sometimes flour and raw eggs! Every year, Carnival festivals around the world celebrate the beginning of Lent with ornate costumes and vibrant parades. Known all over the Italian territory, they have acquired several names according to the regional area of production. The carnival dates to the Middle Ages and is a symbolic representation marking the freedom of Ivrea from oppression, starvation and tyranny.
Carnival in Italy usually involves a parade or is characterized by traditional celebrations. Carnival time is when Italians prepare to “take away meat” (carnem levam) by throwing lavish parties and parades featuring masks, floats, and lots of food.Carnival season usually lasts several weeks, with the biggest celebrations taking place in the days before the beginning of Lent. An Italian saying is a carnevale ogni scherzo vale or at Carnival, anything goes. Venice Carnival – Costumes and Masks. It possibly has its roots in a primitive festival honouring the beginning of the new year and the rebirth of nature, though it is also possible that the beginnings of Carnival in Italy may be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome. Today, Carnevale in Venice lasts about two weeks, and it’s a flurry of elaborate costumes, masks, and grand balls. Viareggio, on the coast of Tuscany, is known for its elaborate floats, and parades are held on several weekends.Carnevale events often occur prior to the actual Carnival … For more information about these and other events, visit the official tourism site for Italy. The historical origin of Carnival is also obscure. A completely different form or Carnival takes place in Sardinia, based on rituals to awaken the earth after Winter, possibly descending from pre-Christian traditions. - Tip - Check out which Venice hotels are available during the Carnival. Venice has one of the top carnival festivals in the world, but Carnevale is celebrated in many Italian towns. Masks, maschere, are an important part of the carnevale festival and Venice is the best city for traditional carnival masks. Italy celebrates Carnevale with a huge winter festival marked by parades, masquerade balls, entertainment, music, and parties. The Viareggio Carnival is one of the most famous festivals in Italy.
If you’re in Italy on one of these dates, don’t miss the chance to go to a carnival festival.