A Guide to the Carnevale di Viareggio

The Carnevale di Viareggio began in 1873, when a group of artisans and sculptors from the city launched the first parades of decorated floats, soon transforming a simple idea into a festival beloved by the entire community. 
The celebrations were initially held in the historic downtown, along Via Regia, then moved in the early 1900s to the seaside boulevard, the same stretch that still hosts the spectacular parades today.
The Carnevale was interrupted a few times during the two world wars, only to return stronger than before. Indeed, in 1946, Viareggio turned up the color, initiating an unprecedented season of creativity.
The symbol of the event is Burlamacco, the mask designed in 1930 by Uberto Bonetti that, over the years, has become the official face of Viareggio’s Carnival.

2001 saw the opening of the Cittadella del Carnevale (Carnival Citadel), a large architectural complex dedicated entirely to the creation and preservation of floats, counting 16 hangar-workshops facing onto an elliptical piazza, 2 museums and an arena that hosts outdoor events and performances in the summer. It is here that the world’s largest floats take shape.

The real magic of the Carnevale di Viareggio comes from papier-mâché, worked with a unique technique passed down through the generations. 
Clay, plaster, newspaper, water and flour. From simple materials come structures rising up over 65 feet (20 meters) in height, lightweight yet imposing, capable of moving, animating and telling stories through theatrical sets and complex mechanisms.
Each float requires months of work, dozens of craft maestros, and out-of-the-ordinary creativity. It is this mix of imagination and technical skill that renders the Carnevale di Viareggio an unparalleled event.

The Carnival takes place every year in February (with dates varying according to the Easter calendar) and transforms Viareggio into a huge open-air festival with masked parades, fireworks displays, nighttime parties, gastronomic events and even sports events, such as the famous Viareggio Tournament - Coppa Carnevale, an international soccer competition for young players.

A ticket must be purchased to watch the parades.
All updated rates are available on the official Carnevale website.

Also not to be missed is the Summer Carnival, which enlivens the city with a special version of the festival between July and August.