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Carnival in Rome is year-round and always a party. How can the Romans top it?
Rome Caput Mundi! Not only did the Julian and Gregorian calendars originate in Rome, but so did the carnival. Today, there is not much left of the old traditions in the bustling capital. All the more reason to celebrate in the outskirts of Rome.
Carnival in Rome · Dates
Carnival in Rome is primarily a celebration for children. Dressed up children celebrate carnival in schools, department stores and on the streets. Carnival is also celebrated in clubs and discos. However, the center of Rome is largely a carnival-free zone.
Around Piazza Navona and Via del Corso, you can see some masks from Thursday to Shrove Tuesday. Typical characters include “Rugantino”, an arrogant rogue from Trastevere wearing old trousers and a scarf, “Cassandrino”, a gullible nobleman, “Meo Patacca”, a common boy, and the benefactor Don Pasquale. There are also characters from Naples such as Pulcinella, Arlecchino, Pantalone and others.
However, most of the carnival events in Rome are concentrated on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
Carnival at Bioparco
February 15
Carnival is also celebrated at the Bioparco di Roma. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is reduced for all children who come to the Bioparco in masks. Numerous entertaining and educational activities are offered.
February 14 Carnival on the Tiber Carnival excursion on the Tiber, from Scalo de Pinedo (11:00 height Piazza del Popolo) to Castel Sant’Angelo (12:30), Ponte Sisto (13:30) and back (14:00)
11:00 Children’s parade from Scalo de Pinedo to Castel Sant’Angelo
February 15 Carnival at the Pincio Costume party of roller skaters from Pincio
14:00 Piazzale Flaminio
Metro A Flaminio
February 15 La Tarantella del Carnevale Festival at the Auditorium Parco della Musica
18:00 Tickets
Tram 2 Apollodoro – Flaminia/Reni, Viale Pietro De Courbertin 
Carnival in the Rome area
You don’t have to go to Venice or Lucca to experience Italian Carnival. The area around Rome also has a lot to offer.
Carnival in Ronciglione
Carnival in Ronciglione is a lot of fun!
80 kilometers north of Rome, the picturesque town of Ronciglione lies at the foot of the volcanic Lago di Vico in the province of Viterbo. The carnival tradition here dates back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest in central Italy.
Carnival is celebrated with parades on Sundays and the week before Ash Wednesday. Along with Viareggio and Venice, Ronciglione is one of the strongholds of Italian carnival.
The program:
Sunday February 1, 8, 15 (admission €10, free for children up to 14 years, family rate: with paying adult, accompanied children over 14 years are also free): 11.00 a.m. Carnival of the street artists 12 p.m. Opening of the stalls with typical and gastronomic products 3.00 p.m. Historical parade of the hussars 3.45 p.m. Grand gala parade with masks, folklore groups and floats. Followed by the traditional “Saltarello di Carnevale” dance with the band.
February 12, 14, and 16: extensive Carnival program starting at 2:30 p.m.
February 17: extensive program starting at 2:30 p.m. with the death of King Carnival and the opening of his will at 6:30 p.m. Departure of King Carnival in a balloon at 7:00 p.m.
How to get to Ronciglione: By regional bus Cotral from Saxa Rubra (4 zones) or by car on Via Cassia bis
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February 8, 12, 15, 17 Carnival at Genzano
In the wine villages of the Castelli Romani the tradition of the carnival is maintained.
How to get to Genzano: by regional Cotral bus from Metro A Anagnina (3 zones), by car on via Appia.
Genzano, pedestrian area 9:00 – 19:00 Event on Facebook
Carnival in Velletri
Velletri is also part of the Castelli Romani and here, too, people know how to celebrate carnival. The celebrations take place on Sundays Feb. 1, 8 and 15 as well as on Thursday giovedì grasso and Tuesday martedì grasso.
How to get to Velletri: by train from Termini to Velletri every hour, by car via Via Appia.
Carnival in Rome · Costumes
Where can you find costumes for Carnival in Rome? Where can you get professional makeup? Here is some information and tips.
Simple masks and costumes can be found in souvenir stores in the center and in supermarkets and shopping centers.
Sophisticated costumes can be found at
Berte on Viale dei Colli Portuensi, 453/455, with bus 31, 33 stop Giandiglio
Roma in Maschera on Via Eugenio Barsanti, 5 near Piazzale Radio below Trastevere station, with tram 3, 8 stop Trastevere, Trastevere train station
Estro Costumi in Trastevere, Via Emilio Morosini, 10 with tram 3, 8 stopTras tevere/Min. p. istruzione
Bliz in the south of Rome southeast of Via Cristoforo Colombo and, in the same area
Pelatelli in via Aristide Leonori, 26-28. Directions for Bliz and Pelatelli: bus 30, 714 stop Colombo/Accademia Agiati
Arabesque in via al Sesto Miglio 16, in the north of Rome in the zone Cassia / Tomba di Nerone: bus 201/301 stop Cassia / Sesto Miglio
There are also some costume rentals.
You can get professional make-up at Studio 13 in Piazza Cavour 13. Studio 13 is a make-up center and also organizes courses. How to get there: Bus 30, 70, 81, 87, 280, 301, 492, 913
Carnival in Rome · History
Even in ancient Rome, there were orgiastic festivals with public entertainment, dancing, and masks. These were the Saturnalia, celebrated from December 23 to 30.
From the 10th century on, carnivals were celebrated on the hill of Monte Testaccio, with the use of clay shards. These festivities referred to the Saturnalia and were intended to revive the tradition. At the request of Pope Paul II, the celebrations were moved to what is now Via del Corso. The highlight was the Berber horse race, which became a major attraction. Nobles, artists and travelers came to Rome to attend the race.
In 1874 the race was abolished by King Victor Emmanuel II after a boy was run over and killed.
Since then, only smaller carnival events have been held in Rome.
