19/02/2026
Carnivale in Italy lives somewhere between ritual and play. It marks the days before Lent in the Catholic calendar—a final stretch of indulgence, abundance, and celebration before the more restrained season of fasting and reflection begins.
Historically, it was a time to use up rich ingredients like eggs, butter, and sugar. But more than that, it was a moment when the rules of everyday life softened. People dressed in disguise, social hierarchies blurred, and the streets became a stage.
Across Italy, every region celebrates Carnivale a little differently, but two places hold very distinct personalities: Venice and Modena.
In Venice, Carnivale is theatrical, almost dreamlike. The tradition of masks goes back centuries, when anonymity allowed people to move through the city without the usual constraints of class or identity. Even today, the masks carry that same sense of mystery—ornate, slightly surreal, and a little mischievous. It feels like stepping into another century.
Modena’s Carnivale is smaller, more local, and deeply rooted in community. It doesn’t have the grandeur of Venice, but it has something else—warmth, humor, and a sense of belonging. It’s less about spectacle and more about being together in the piazza.
And then, of course, there’s the food. In Emilia-Romagna, Carnivale means trays of gnocco fritto and crescentine, alongside sweets like frappe (delicate fried ribbons) and castagnole—small, golden fritters, sometimes scented with lemon zest or a splash of liqueur.
At its heart, Carnivale is about savoring—rich food, laughter, beauty, and a bit of mischief—before the quiet of Lent.
Mangia bene.
