The 20 most beautiful Carnivals in Sicily

The Baroque Carnival in Palermo is a re-enactment of the memory and of the ancient traditions which in the past made the recurrence of Carnival in the Sicilian capital famous. The Carnival of Palermo aims to enhance the Sicilian traditions, with its masks, the costumes and lifestyles of the eighteenth century, its architectural beauties and its gastronomic culture.

The Carnival of Valderice is one of the best known carnivals in Sicily. Every year it attracts crowds of visitors who flock to admire the parades of allegorical papier-mâché floats and masked groups. During the Carnival festivities Valdericino is it is possible to take part in tastings of typical products of the carnival tradition, and in particular of the cous cous ca canni di porcu, i.e. couscous with pork.

The Carnival in Avola, in addition to the traditional parades of allegorical floats led by the Carnival King, it is characterized by the traditional manifestation of the dialect literary competition.
On Shrove Tuesday the carnival closes with a majestic burning of the puppet of King Carnival.

The Carnival in Cinisi, enlivens the streets of the village with parades of papier-mâché floats, masked groups and caricatures led by Lu Nannu, the grandfather, the typical mask of the place. On Carnival Monday takes place the traditional historical ride of Cinisi, an ancient tradition that recalls the masquerades on horseback which took place in Palermo in the eighteenth century.

The Carnival in Taormina, is an important event in which the colors of the masks and masked groups mix with the suggestive scenery of the historic center of Taormina. Numerous events are organized on the occasion of the carnival celebrations in Taormina: shows music and entertainment, exhibition and tasting stands.

The Carnival in Brolo, is a very heartfelt event and considered among the most beautiful in Sicily. Allegorical floats and masked groups parade among the streets of the village. During the carnival celebrations many stands are set up for the tasting of typical products and, on Shrove Thursday the traditional maccarunata takes place, i.e. the eating of macaroni.

The Carnival in Regalbuto, is famous for the parades of masked groups where almost a thousand people fill the main street, and is considered among the most important carnival events in Sicily. The moment more characteristic of the Regalbuto carnival is the contradanze, dances that have enlivened the city carnival since the beginning of the twentieth century. The dance of quadrilles is the most particular.

The Carnival in Chiaramonte Gulfi, has ancient origins and today it is of considerable importance thanks to the parades of allegorical floats, masked balls and to the traditional sausage festival. Chiaramonte Gulfi is considered the Carnival capital of the entire Iblei area.

The Carnival in Scicli, is also known as U Carnaluvari ra Stratanova, i.e. the Carnival of the New Road, with reference to Corso Umberto I where the traditional parade takes place. The parade are made up of street artists, musicians, masked groups. Several food stands are set up.

The Carnival in Bisacquino is the oldest Carnival in Sicily, its origins date back at least to the end of the seventeenth century. Alongside the classic parades of masked groups and allegorical floats, old traditions and traditional masks are still alive. There are two tradizionale masks: U zuppiddu, peasant figure with an egg in one hand and a cricket in the other, and the Domino, women dressed in a dark tunic and a mask, such that they cannot be recognised, which invite man to dance by guiding him in the various dances.

Il Carnival in Mazzarino is also known as the Maktorion Carnaval. Parades of allegorical floats and masked groups, tastings of typical products, dances and music in the square enliven the streets of the city center every year.