Carnevale in Italy is the last celebration before Lent's start on Ash Wednesday. This centuries-old festival is celebrated throughout Italy with costumes, parades, and festivities.

What is the origin of the word Carnevale? One theory suggests it is a combination of two Latin words, carnem levare, which translates to farewell to meat. Roman Catholics typically give up something they otherwise enjoy, such as meat or sweets, during this time.

One of the most notable Carnevale celebrations is in Venice with its many masked festival participants with lavish costumes. However, many festivities take place in smaller towns too.

Since we live in Tuscany, we usually participate in our local festivals in San Gimignano or Foiano della Chiana.

San Gimignano has one of the oldest celebrations in Tuscany. Since medieval times there has been a bit of friendly rivalry between two neighborhoods for the best float and the accompanying dancers.

Today these two historical districts still participate in a bloodless battle parading their mechanical floats through the streets. The final contest takes place in the main piazza, where the two factions battle it out with their bands and dance to entice the audience to their side. The winner is the neighborhood that engages the greatest number of spectators to their side.

We love to see the children decked out in costumes with their packets of confetti. There is a video clip below in which a fearless brother and sister take on a sizeable multicolored dragon with their confetti.

Visiting Italy during the time of Carnevale is a sure-fire way to be immersed in the local culture.

For 2021, there are no live Carnevale festivities in Italy. Some towns are hosting on-line events.

Be sure to check out the still photos below the video box.

Italy Unfiltered offers personalized wine and food tours for small groups in Tuscany specializing in Chianti, Brunello, Vino Nobile winery tours. Daily tours or multi-day tours, Italy Unfiltered will meet you at your location and take you on an insider, local wine tasting experience. An authentic tuscany experience awaits you with ITALY UNFILTERED. Visit our website for more about our Tuscany tours and personal driver. Contact us today!

Servicing Siena, Florence, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, Radda in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, and the greater Siena and Firenze provinces.