Carnival of Acireale 2026

WHERE: Acireale (Sicily), Italy
WHEN: from 31st January to 17th 2026

The oldest Carnival in Sicily, and among the most beautiful in all of Italy.
Word of “The Guardian” which in 2017 included it among the 10 most beautiful alternative Carnival parties in Europe.
The Carnival of Acireale is spectacular, fun, colorful, lively.
Since 1594, the year in which we have the first documented news of its existence.

There are extraordinary allegorical floats, with beautifully decorated papier-mâché figures. The subjects, as per tradition, concern topics of satire and social customs, often current.
Alongside the allegorical floats, there is space for the beautiful flowered floats, once the prerogative of a special party, and from 2020 incorporated into the Carnival of Acireale.
Lights and mechanical movements characterize the floats that parade through the streets of the city.

Photo ©, Leandro Neumann Ciuffo

To complete the show, incredible miniature floats, also ready to parade during the celebrations. Real small works of art, made in a truly impressive and meticulous way!

A truly wonderful show in which the great tradition and skilled Sicilian craftsmanship reaches its maximum expression. The skill of these “tankers” is now recognized nationally.

The most beautiful Carnival, therefore, awaits you in February in Sicily: a real theater of wonders which, as they say in these parts, is the best recipe for good humor.

THE PLACES OF THE PARTY

The baroque Piazza del Duomo is the hub of the Acireale Carnival. Many of the floats come to life just as they pass through the historic square. For over 40 years, the circuit has crossed Piazza Duomo and the three most important streets of the city: Corso Italia, Corso Savoia and Corso Umberto.

To watch the fashion shows, you can enter only through the special gates. Accesses are monitored.

THE PROGRAM OF THE CARNIVAL OF ACIREALE 2026

Photo ©, Alessandro Grussu

The festival’s highlight will take place from Thursday, February 12th to Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 (Shrove Tuesday).
Starting January 31st, 2026, every Saturday at 5:00 PM will feature the evocative nighttime parade. Lights, colors, and the spectacle of allegorical-grotesque floats and the parade of isolated masks will be on display. Entertainment will continue until late with a DJ set. On Sunday the 15th, at 10:00 AM, you can observe all the floats up close during the static parade.

Tuesday, February 17th, the final act of the 2026 Acireale Carnival will take place. The parade of floats and masked groups begins at 3:00 PM. From 10:00 PM, there will be a musical performance in Piazza Duomo. At midnight, the closing ceremony will feature the “Rogo di Re Burlone” (Burning of King Burlone).

The program isn’t limited to parades alone. The competition among the best floats will award prizes to the most beautiful in various categories. There’s also a prize for the most beautiful isolated masks.

For the little ones, fun is guaranteed at a small amusement park, usually located in Largo Francesco Vecchio.