Acireale Carnival 2025 in Sicily

The Acireale Carnival, one of Sicily's oldest, fills the historic streets of Acireale each year with vibrant celebrations. Colorful parades showcase stunning, allegorical-grotesque floats where local artisans express their creativity through intricate designs. The festival atmosphere comes alive with giant figures crafted from lemons and oranges, enhancing the sensory experience and bringing an extra layer of vibrancy to this beloved event.

Schedule

The Acireale Carnival's schedule features both papier-mâché and flower-decorated floats, with additional parade dates extending the celebration. Traditionally, papier-mâché floats parade on Thursday, Sunday, and Shrove Tuesday, while flower-decorated floats are featured on Monday and Tuesday. Recent changes to the program now include papier-mâché float parades on the two preceding Sundays and the final Saturday, with flower-decorated floats parading daily from the last Saturday through Shrove Tuesday. Furthermore, these flower-decorated floats return for a special event, the Carnival of Flowers, held each April.

Parade

The parade is a centerpiece of the Acireale Carnival, drawing crowds with its vibrant floats, lively bands, and detailed papier-mâché masks. The spectacle begins at Piazza del Duomo, where illuminated floats with intricate designs and synchronized lights set the festive tone. The procession winds through Corso Umberto and Corso Italia before circling back to Piazza del Duomo. The nighttime parade, with its brilliantly lit floats, creates an enchanting atmosphere, making it a highlight of this traditional Sicilian celebration.

Mardi Gras Evening

The final day of the Acireale Carnival, known as Mardi Gras evening, brings the celebrations to a grand close with an award ceremony honoring the best floats. It is followed by a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the night and creating a memorable end to the festivities.

Tickets

A daily admission ticket to the Acireale Carnival grants access to parades and shows. Children under 120 cm in height can enter for free, along with free admission for disabled individuals and their companions.

Parking

Paid parking areas for the Acireale Carnival are available at a daily rate of €5. Locations include Piazzale Francesco Vecchio, Parking via Galatea, and Corso Italia (on both sides) between Via Kennedy and Via Lazzaretto.

Carnival Museum

Opened in 2019, the Acireale Carnival Museum beautifully preserves the essence of Sicily's famous carnival. Housed in the Palazzo del Turismo, it showcases the history, artistry, and craftsmanship behind the event, featuring items like mask frameworks, miniature floats, and sketches. Highlights include intricate pieces by artists Rosario Lizio and Natale Longo. Visitors can explore the rich cultural heritage that makes Acireale's carnival so unique.

History of Carnevale di Acireale

The Carnival of Acireale has roots reaching back to 1594. Initially, the festival allowed locals to mock the powerful, symbolized by masks like the "Abbatazzu," which satirized clergy. During the 1600s, festivities included playful orange and lemon throwing, though this was eventually banned. By 1880, papier-mâché floats became a centerpiece, crafted by skilled artisans. Post-WWII, the festival grew more elaborate, with floral floats and donkeys racing, gaining national prominence. In 1996, Acireale's carnival joined the Italian national lottery, solidifying its status. Today, the carnival combines modern flair with age-old customs.

Carnavals in Italy

Italy’s “Carnevale” season is celebrated with lively parades, colorful masks, and extravagant floats leading up to Lent. In addition to the Acireale Carnival, The Viareggio Carnival in Tuscany showcases massive paper-mâché puppets and parades, while Ivrea’s Carnival includes a historic orange-throwing battle. Cento Carnival in Ferrara spans five Sundays, featuring car parades and comic-themed events, ending with a traditional mask-burning. In Puglia, Putignano’s Carnival—Italy’s oldest—begins in December, featuring satirical performances, themed Thursdays, and a grand funeral procession on Shrove Tuesday, signaling the season’s end.