February 5, 2025

Viareggio Carnival 2025

From February 8 to March 4 the floats of one of Italy's most famous carnivals will parade again

If there is a time of year when Viareggio turns into a true open-air spectacle, it is definitely during Carnival! From February 8 to March 4, the city is filled with color, music and excitement thanks to spectacular parades, parties, concerts and art exhibitions. An event that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year, ready to be won over by the unique atmosphere of this festival.

The most anticipated moment? The Corsi Mascherati, six unmissable parades in which 29 allegorical works created by Viareggio artists can be admired. Real works of art in motion, up to 20 meters high, which tell with satire and creativity the most current issues. These paper mache giants parade along the Promenade amid music, dancing and hundreds of costumed figures who bring spectacular choreography to life.

This year, there will be as many as 9 first-category floats parading along the promenade, accompanied by 4 second-category floats, 8 group masquerades and 8 individual masks.

First-class floats in this edition include outstanding works, such as:

The monster is afraid
by Jacopo Allegrucci, inspired by Mary Shelley's famous Frankenstein (winner of the 2024 edition with “Go Where Your Heart Takes You”).
For a Healthy and Robust Constitution
by Alessandro Avanzini, which features the president of the council, Giorgia Meloni.
The great leader
by Luca Bertozzi, a tribute to the presenter Maria De Filippi.
Happiness is like a butterfly
by Luigi Bonetti, a work that conveys a message of lightness and beauty.
Social
by Massimo and Alessandro Breschi, which explores the world of social networks.
As You Want Me
by Umberto, Stefano, Michele and Jacopo Cinquini, which challenges conventions with an intriguing theme.
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
by Carlo and Lorenzo Lombardi, which recounts the imaginary election of a “Papess” to lead the Catholic Church.
The Tempest
by Lebigre and Roger, which brings a dramatic and fascinating storm to the stage.
New Generation--Dancing on the World
by Roberto Vannucci, a celebration of youth and the desire for change

Viareggio Carnival Program

Saturday, Feb. 8, 5 p.m.
1st Opening Night Masquerade Course
at the end fireworks show
Sunday, Feb. 16, 3 p.m.
2nd Masquerade Course
Saturday, February 22, 5 p.m.
3rd Night Masquerade Course
Thursday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m.
4th Night Masquerade Course
Sunday, March 2, 3 p.m.
5th Masquerade Course
Tuesday, March 4, 3 p.m.
6th Closing Masquerade Course
At the end announcement of winners and fireworks show

How to purchase tickets

Tickets can be purchased online at viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/biglietti/ or at the ticket office located at the Carnival Citadel, 5 Santa Maria Goretti Street, and at the entrances of the parade circuit, during the following hours: Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; Friday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

For questions or information, you can contact the following contact details:
0584 580740 (booking individual tickets)
0584 580741 (group ticket reservation)
biglietteria@ilcarnevale.com

Off Course - Exhibitions

The Viareggio Carnival is a great opportunity for entertainment, involvement, participation, but also for cultural insights. The papier-mâché artists, with their works, tell the contemporary, through the tools of satire to make us reflect on today and especially on tomorrow. Satire and allegory are the themes of Fuori Corso, the program of events, which accompanies the 2025 edition of the Viareggio Carnival.

The Carnival of Animals.
Art, music and fashion in Futurism and the 1980s
February 1 - May 11
Villa Argentina, Viareggio

Festivals and Music
The music of the Viareggio Carnival and its stories
Feb. 2 - May 11
Villa Paolina, Viareggio

Centuries of Satire
From “bambocciate” to Carnival sketches, four centuries of illustrated satire
Feb. 7 - May 11
Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art “Lorenzo Viani,” Viareggio

Avanti rosso ebbro carnevale dal mare
Tributes to Guglielmo Lippi Francesconi, author of the first poster in 1925
Feb. 8 - May 11
Carnival Museum, Viareggio

Explorations
Journey to equality through the eyes of three female cartoonists
Feb. 8-March 8
Prince of Piedmont, Principino - Viareggio

Off Course - Music

The Enchantment of the Wards
Sunday, February 2
Eden Theater, Viareggio

ALL THE CARNIVAL THERE IS by Cristina D'Avena and Cristiano Macrì
The song of Carnival 2025 interpreted by Cristina D'Avena
Cristina D'Avena in concert
Saturday, February 8
Mazzini Square, Viareggio

m2o Night together with Albertino and Fargetta
Sunday, Feb. 16, at the end of the 2nd Masquerade Course
Piazza Mazzini, Viareggio

Viareggio Carnival Fiestas 2025

The district festivals are the most popular part of the Viareggio Carnival. Entire neighborhoods come alive with music and attractions where you can dance freely and also dine while delighting in traditional Viareggio dishes (starting at 7 p.m.). The Feste Rionali take place on the weekends of the Corsi Mascherati. In addition, for children some of the Rioni organize afternoon events. Carnival evenings are enlivened by unique appointments: musical performances and concerts, masquerade vigils in the city's most prestigious and historic halls and beloved dance clubs. Dialect theater performances are offered by local companies.

The Citadel

The Citadel is the place of creativity and preservation of the historical and artistic heritage of the Viareggio Carnival. Opened to the public on September 26, 2001, the Citadel of Carnival, is the largest park dedicated to the Masks in Europe. Designed by architect Francesco Tomassi, it is developed with hangars, workshops and museum spaces around the large square, dedicated to Burlamacco, Viareggio's symbolic mask. Here master builders work to create the giant allegorical works. A first exhibition route focuses on the history of contemporary graphic art. The hangar doors where the masters work are like maxi “screens” for an impactful, oversized narrative: from futurism to modern-day languages through a selection of historical posters for Carnival. The new Museums and historical archives are an opportunity for visitors to discover the art of papier-mâché and the history of the event as it approaches the 150-year milestone. At the Citadel it is also possible to try your hand at working with Burlamacco's raw material through educational workshops for children.

Carnival Museum

The historical account of 150 years of the Viareggio Carnival through a selection of images to document its artistic evolution over the decades. Models, on the other hand, to recall the places in the city where the Carnival grew up, cradled by the dedication of its artists and the passion of its citizens. A timeline that starts in 1873 and goes all the way up to 2001, the year of the inauguration of the Carnival Citadel, now a symbol of creativity, culture and history. The Carnival Museum, therefore, is enriched with an exhibition space that implements the areas already open to the public in the Citadel: the experiential part in the Espace Gilbert, the Historical Archives, the papier-mâché workshops and the ground floor of the Museum itself, which introduces the upside-down world typical of Italian and European carnival traditions.