The Carnival în Ronciglione is one of the 10 most beautiful carnivals in Italy. Ronciglione is located in the province of Viterbo at 55 km from the capital city of Viterbo. The Carnival takes place every year here during end of January, middle of February.

As documented, the Carnival in Ronciglione originates from the Roman Renaissance and Baroque Carnival. It is celebrated here for over 130 years.

For almost one month the Carnival hosts parades of allegorical chariots, races, masquerades, street shows and gastronomic events.

During the Carnival you can assist to the Hussars Cavalcade, a horse race that remembers the love of a young French Hussars Capitan for a noble lady. How did he win her heart? The Capitan was frequently galloping on the streets of the town and was shouting his love for the lady.

Nowadays, the parade starts with a cavalcade of a group of horsemen dressed in costumes typical for the 19th century. The race of the Berbers is part of the entertainment during the Carnival and is a jokey-less horse race.

The ritual of the death of King Carnival and the parade and chariot of “Rose Noses” are elements from the Roman Renaissance and Baroque Carnival. Johann Wolfgang Goethe described them in his book: Travel to Italy.

The Carnival in Ronciglione presents every year a new and fascinating show that is entertaining and amazing!

Sunday January 28th, 4th and 11th of February 2024 – Grandiose parade (the same program each Sunday).

• 11.00 – Opening of “Carnival Street Artist Show”
• 12.00 – Opening of the stand of typical and gastronomy products
• 15.00 – Parade and show of the local band of the town “Alceo Cantiani”.
• 15.30 – Hussars cavalcade
• 15.45 – Grandiose parade of the Gala: masquerades, allegorical chariots, masquerade groups and folcloric bands
• We will wait for all of you in Piazza della Nave to dance the traditional Saltarello di Carnevale with the band “A. Cantiani”.

Thrusday, February 8th 2024 – The Fat Thursday

• 14.30 – The Carnival bell rings loud to announce the return of King Carnival.
• 15.00 – Begins the Carnival. The authorities of the town and Carnival give the keys of Ronciglione to the King
  of Carnival
• 15.30 – The historical parade of the Hussars
• 16.00 – Grand Carnevale of the children with spontaneous masquerades
• 17.00 – The fraternity of the Saint Bear offers snacks and wine to all the guests of the Carnival
  All the children receive food.

After that, everybody goes Piazza della Nave to dance the traditional Saltarello di Carnevale with the town band “A. Cantiani”.

Saturday February 10th 2024 – Saturday Ghiotto (Carnevale Jotto).

• 14.30 – The Carnival bell rings loud to announce the Carnival
• 15.00 – Piazza della Nave. Carnival Soap Box Race
• 16.30 – Piazza della Nave. Exhibit of decorated paper ballons
• 17.00 – Carnevale Jotto. Gastronomic afternoon with: Polentari, Tripparoli and degustation of pork and Porchetta.
• 17.30 – Piazza della Nave. Music Carnival. Music afternoon with live music.

Monday February 12th 2024 – Red Noses Monday

• 14.30 – The Carnival bell rings loud
• 16.30 – Parade of the traditional Chariot of the Red Noses
• 20.30 – Traditional Dinner of the “Red Noses Society”in the restaurant Due Cigni.

Tuesday February 13th 2024 – Shrove Tuesday

• 14.30 – The Carnival bell rings loud
• 15.30 – The historical Parade of the Hussars
• 16.00 – Grand Carnevale of the children with spontaneous masquerades
• 17.30 – Everybody in Piazza della Nave to dance the traditional Saltarello
• 18.30 – Representation of the death of King Carnival and the opening of his testament. The funerary corteggio of the dead King of Carnival.
• 19.30 – Departure of Kind Carnival with the aerostatic globe.
  After that everybody goes in Piazza della Nave to dance the traditional Saltarello di Carnevale with the band “A. Cantiani”.