Foiano della Chiana Carnival

With its history that spans five centuries, the Foiano della Chiana Carnival is Italy’s oldest. For five consecutive Sundays the streets of the historic town turn into an open-air theatre of celebrations honoring the Re Giocondo, roughly translated as “Carefree King,” the mascot of the local festivities.

Four grand allegorical floats, created by the four different town “factions” – Azzurri, Bombolo, Nottambuli and Rus – parade through the streets. They battle it out with their papier-mâché prides and joy, making incredible artistic works that are revered all over the world.

Ahead of the floats, the Re Giocondo is first in line in the processions, depicted as a puppet made of rags and straw. Through this archaic symbol, rural farming culture pays tribute to its rebirth, celebrating the death of darkness and the past. During the final day of the celebrations, the figure is burned in the main square of Foiano in a spectacular ceremony. Legend has it that in the past, the king gave a “testament” – or, rather, read before the crowds all of the (generally) good things that happened over the recently-concluded year, and that the event then evolved into a “funeral” of sorts for the winter that was soon to end.

The 2026 edition will be held from February 1 to March 1.

The program:

January 29

• 6:00 pm - Presentation and press conference, extraction to determine the order of floats for the Carnevale di Foiano 2026

January 31

• 6:00 pm - Exhibition opening and presentation of accompanying events at the Galleria Furio Del Furia

February 1

• 11:00 am - Launch of the Carnevale with ribbon cutting and grand opening show with the Filarmonica Mascagni and the Dafne music school
• 3:00 pm - 1ˢᵗ Parade of Floats and 1ˢᵗ Masquerade Parade
• 5:30 pm - 2ⁿᵈ Parade of Floats and 1ˢᵗ Masquerade Parade

February 8

• 2:30 pm - Start of the Masquerade Competition and 2ⁿᵈ Masquerade Parade
• 5:30 pm - 2ⁿᵈ Parade of Floats and 2ⁿᵈ Masquerade Parade

February 15

• 2:30 pm - 3ʳᵈ Masquerade Parade
• 5:30 pm - 2ⁿᵈ Parade of Floats Parade and 3ʳᵈ Masquerade Parade

February 22

• 2:30 pm - 4ᵗʰ Masquerade Parade
• 5:30 pm - 2ⁿᵈ Parade of Floats and 4ᵗʰ Masquerade Parade

March 1

• 2:30 pm - 5ᵗʰ Masquerade Parade
• 5:30 pm - Music, Rificolonata (with bonfire) and Grand Finale with the Testament, Sentencing and Burning of the giant effigy of the king, Re Giocondo

The Carnevale is accompanied by a series of initiatives, the latest of which is a space dedicated to Street Art, where artists create live graffiti.
An exhibition featuring works by Riccardo Guasco is set up in the Sala della Carbonaia, while the Sala Gervasi houses a photo exhibition dedicated to the history of the Carnevale.
Completing the program is the 13ᵗʰ Biennial Art Prize, with artists from all over Italy taking part.