The Carnival 

Viareggio’s name is synonymous with Carnival, one of the most famous and spectacular events in the world that is held in this very city. Each year, the event revives the parade of papier-mâché floats, with displays that attract tourists from all over the world. 

The tradition of the Viareggio Carnival was born in 1873, when a group of young bourgeoisies who frequently visited the Casino Café had the idea of making a parade of carriages and masks along the promenade. Since then, for four Sundays in a row, the floats – huge caricatures that shine a glaring light on the world of politics and entertainment – parade along Viareggio’s promenade. 

After the parade, the entertainment continues in the ward. Every weekend of the Carnival, each of the nine wards in turn hold a celebration, during which the streets are closed off to traffic and are instead filled with masks, music and dancing. 

There are also all kinds of festivities in the city during those days other than the parade. Sometimes they are even more fun than the parade itself. In any case, they are very Viareggino. The carnival is literally around the corner from Villa Giulia, less than 2-minute walking. The days of the 2026 parade are Sunday February 1, Saturday February 7, Thursday February 12, Sunday February 15, Tuesday February 17 and Saturday February 21. 

Villa Giulia is open, but book in time as it is very full on these days.