The Viareggio Carnival

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Dear travelers, come and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Viareggio Carnival: an unforgettable experience awaits you, a triumph of color, creativity and festivity that will capture your soul. During this magical time, Italy is transformed into an extraordinary stage, offering you a unique and engaging celebration.

We would like to welcome you to the Tuscan heart of Carnival, in bustling Viareggio, a beautiful Tuscan town in Versilia, the site of an event that every year in February offers a unique spectacle of masks, music, fun, satire and lots of merriment.

The Viareggio Carnival: a unique event

To experience a fairytale carnival, the city of Viareggio is the place to go, with its more than 1,000 floats produced over 144 years. It is a veritable carnival factory: since 2001, the Carnival Citadel has been the largest complex in the world dedicated to the processing of floats and masks and houses state-of-the-art workshops and laboratories for carnival creation.

Imagine yourself strolling along the picturesque seaside promenade, where imposing, masterfully decorated floats reveal fascinating stories and lively satires.

The festivities begin as always with a triple cannon shot from the sea; after that, the party officially begins! Doing the honors will be Burlamacco, the official mask of the event.

A month of events, vigils and all the fun provided by the parade of papier-mâché floats (the work of Viareggio’s master builders) awaits you in what is surely the most beautiful Carnival in Tuscany.

It is a participatory experience, and I invite you to embrace the tradition by wearing cheerful costumes and elaborate masks, merging with the joy and enthusiasm of the festive crowd.

Also not to be underestimated is the gastronomy during Carnival, which is a delicious experience, with traditional sweet specialties delighting the palates of young and old alike.

The program of Carnival 2024

This year there will be a rich program with six main parades to be held on February 3, 8, 11, 13, 18, and 24. The parade schedules are as follows:

• the first Masquerade Course will begin at 4:00 p.m. on February 3, followed by fireworks displays;
• the second, a night parade, will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday;
• the third and fifth Courses will take place at 3:00 p.m. on their respective Sundays;
• the fourth, another night parade, will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Mardi Gras;
• the last Course, also a night parade, will begin at 5:00 p.m. on February 24, concluding with the announcement of winners and fireworks.