Carnivals in Liguria: all the parties this season
The great Carnival celebration arrives in Liguria: here are the carnivals you can’t miss! Get ready, among costumes, games, confetti, masks, jokes, fritters, and sweets, you only have to do one thing: have fun! Here are the most beautiful Ligurian parties until February 25, 2024.
Carnevalöa: the largest Carnival in Liguria in Loano
It is the biggest and most extensive carnival in Liguria. Until February 25th in Loano, an entire city will be taken over by masks for a month of uninterrupted celebrations, jokes, masquerade parades, floats, and confetti. Get ready with the confetti!
It starts on Sunday, January 29th at 2:45 pm in Piazza Italia with the Ceremony of the Keys Delivery by the mayor to the official masks: Puè Pepin, King of Carnival; U Beciancin, the official mask of CarnevaLoa. On Sunday, February 11th, there’s an appointment in Piazza Massena at 3:00 pm for the Children’s Carnival, while on Sunday, February 18th, the splendid location of the Riviera delle Palme awaits you for the parade of the floats of the villages of Loano. Lastly, the Palio dei Comuni will conclude the Carnival celebrations on Sunday, February 25th.
Info and updates on: https://www.visitloano.it/en/
46th Children’s Carnival of Arenzano
The Children’s Carnival of Arenzano is scheduled for Sunday, February 11th. Now in its 46th edition, it is one of the most beloved carnivals in Liguria: featuring allegorical floats, stunning costumes, and makeup.
New for 2024, the route starts and finishes at Piazzale del Mare. Expected floats include Peter Pan, Country cartoon, Harry Potter funko pop, Rapunzel, Barbie, Coco, Super Mario; after the awards ceremony, the traditional focaccias for everyone will be served. The organisation is managed by the Children’s Carnival Committee of Arenzano.
https://www.arenzanoturismo.it/en/calendario-eventi/46-carnevale-dei-ragazzi-di-arenzano/
Rapallo Carnival
Rapallo is also caught up in the Carnival spirit: on Sunday, February 11th, 2024, starting from 2:00 pm in Piazza Venezia, there will be a masked parade with the Trampi-matti, followed by the Magic Family Show at the Chiosco della Musica at 3:30 pm, and finally, the awarding of the best masks.
Carnival, Children’s Party in Cairo Montenotte
The Carnival of Cairo Montenotte is primarily a children’s party. Nuvarin der Castè, the Castellana, and all her Court await you in Piazza della Vittoria on Sunday, February 11th from 2 pm onwards. But who is Nuvarin der Castè? He is the official mask of the Valbormida Carnival, with a highly followed Facebook page! Anyway, throughout the day, many splendid and original masks are also expected with lots and lots of confetti.
Info and updates: nuvarindercaste@gmail.com
Carnival of the Beautiful and the Ugly in Suvero
There is a carnival party that has no equal in Liguria, tied to traditions that date back centuries. It’s the Carnival of the Beautiful and the Ugly in Suvero di Rocchetta Vara, the heart of the Val di Vara, on February 10th, 2024, starting at 3 pm.
Tradition dictates that the boys dress up in the same costumes used by their fathers and grandfathers in the past: the Beautiful wear clothes with bright and flowery colors, rich in lace, bows, and bells. They wear hats covered with the same fabric, adorned with long colorful ribbons, lace, beads, and small bells.
On the other hand, the Ugly wear goat or sheepskins, long and big horns on their heads, and their faces are painted black or covered with “bautte,” masks with dark and grim features. They wear cowbells tied around their waists, shaking them continuously as they walk.
They parade through the streets of the village, stopping at each house. While the host prepares refreshments to appease them, the Beautiful make the women of the family dance, while the Ugly play jokes and pranks on everyone. As night falls, everyone gathers for a dinner together. Guests and co-stars of this edition of the most unique Carnival in Liguria will be the fascinating “S’Urtzu e Sos Bardianos” from Sardinia and “Alfagor Krampus” from Merano, in Alto Adige.
Info and updates on: https://www.facebook.com/carnevaledisuvero e/o https://www.carnevaledisuvero.it/
Carnival of Diano Marina
In Diano Marina, in 1969, someone started celebrating Carnival just like they do in Rio de Janeiro: with lots of floats and joy. This gave rise to one of the longest-standing Carnivals in Liguria and one of the most enjoyable: in the 1980s, all eight floats from various neighborhoods would gather in the “Smiles Hangar” to set up their creations together. Since then, “i Marmessi,” “i De longu i stessi,” “i Periferici,” “i Perdigiurni,” “Quelli da Sciumaia,” “Goliardi Dianesi,” “gli Amixi de Sanbertumè,” and “i Foa de testa” have been parading through the city during Carnival, spreading joy and confetti.
This year, the celebrations will officially begin on Saturday, February 10th, the day of the finale of the 74th Sanremo Festival, with an imitation of the famous Sanremo stage dedicated, like the entire edition, to Amadeus. “Carnevale si Ama” will indeed be the title of the 2024 event organized with the patronage of the Municipality by the Famia Dianese Association, which on February 18th will dedicate “Carnevale dei Bimbi” to the little ones. Starting at 10 am, face painting, street artists, music, games, and the awarding of the best “Baby Mask” awaits families for a day of fun! Not to be missed from 2 pm to 6 pm is also the traditional parade of allegorical floats with masked groups, majorettes, musical bands, and many street artists.
Moneglia: a Dive for Carnival
On February 18, 2024, in Moneglia, a dive and Carnival
In the morning in Moneglia, it starts with the shivers of the 2nd Pumpkin Challenge, scheduled for 10 am at the Central Beach. At the end, polenta and wine will be served by the Alpine Group and the Sailor Group of Moneglia.
In the afternoon, instead, the colors and joy of the 29th edition of the Pumpkin Carnival will enliven the village during the Grand Parade of masks, floats, and groups, games, jokes, face painting for children, delicacies, treats, and sweets to eat, and, above all, the eagerly awaited awarding of the most beautiful masks. There will be eight categories in competition: Best float, best group, best male costume, best female costume, best couple, best children’s costume, best girl’s costume, and best stroller costume.
If you think you have what it takes to bring home at least one of the highly coveted titles, hurry to register for Carnival by February 10th!
Info on: https://www.prolocomoneglia.it e/o https://www.facebook.com/ProLocoMoneglia
