Regalbuto Carnival

Surely one of the most famous Carnival celebrations in the world is that of Venice, which every year attracts millions of visitors and onlookers. But there is one in Sicily that is just as enthralling and that for a month transforms the small town of Regalbuto into a place of celebration and magic: here's everything you need to know to take part in the Carnival in Regalbuto.

What is the Carnival in Regalbuto?

The town of Regalbuto, in the province of Enna, has been the location every year for over a century in which the famous Carnival is organized which lasts for a month and culminates in a three-day uninterrupted party which every year attracts onlookers from all over the world. world. It is a very heartfelt appointment for which the locals prepare for an entire year.

In fact, the event includes parades of allegorical floats but also the preparation of handmade costumes and many other events designed to celebrate the occasion but also to involve a very varied public. If the whole event is designed to amaze visitors, certainly the culminating moment is that of the organization of contradanze, which are a group dance that has its roots in the past and which once had a very symbolic and auspicious value. To take part today, you need to be a dancer specialized in the discipline.

The history of the Regalbuto Carnival

The Carnival in Regalbuto has a centennial history since it is a moment experienced since ancient times but which has become a fixed appointment for the town for over a hundred years, given that in 2022 will celebrate the 135th edition. Carnival was once celebrated by peasants who considered it a magical rite to chase away the negative influences of winter that had endangered the harvest and propitiate a spring full of fruit. It was also the moment in which, historically, people said goodbye to the Easter sacrifices and gave vent to their joy after the period of penance. Subsequently, the appointment has remained standing as an event that attracts tourists and onlookers but has also become the occasion for a challenge among the citizens of Regalbuto who compete for the creation of the most evocative allegorical float and the most successful artisan costume, in order to enjoy an honor that lasts 12 months, until the next edition.

When Carnival is held in Regalbuto

The date of the Carnival in Regalbuto is variable, as always happens for the Carnival. Its calendarization, in fact, is closely linked to Easter. Generally, however, the event lasts for a month and culminates in the three days that precede the Ash Wednesday. However, if these are the dates that visitors must mark in their calendars in order not to miss this appointment, it must be said that the preparation for the event lasts practically the whole year and goes from one edition to the next. This happens in particular because the allegorical floats have a very long planning and above all preparation period and the same can be said for the handmade costumes which are different every year and which are rigorously cut and sewn by hand by the seamstresses of the town, with a long experience in this sector.

Where the event takes place

The Carnival event in Regalbuto takes place throughout the town: there is no alley or road that is not involved in this evocative event. The arrival of the procession of allegorical wagons and the organization of the counter dances, on the other hand, takes place in the main square of the town which is that of the Republic.

What you can do during Carnival in Regalbuto

There are many and very different events that are organized for the Carnival in Regalbuto and they want to involve spectators of all ages. First of all, the whole country is crossed by a festive atmosphere that includes music, dancing and thousands of bags of confetti for an explosion of joy and colour. Then there are some events that characterize all the different editions of the event and which are held in the last three days, in particular the parade of the floats and the counter dances which involve the participation of 12 pairs of dancers.

In addition to these fixed appointments, then, there are many others that vary from edition to edition. For example, there are many events dedicated to children and there is no shortage of food and wine events to delight the palate of visitors, especially with festive sweets. Almost always the program also includes exhibitions, which have a theme related to the Carnival: a very nice one, for example, is the one that offers photographic shots that retrace the history of the Carnival in Regalbuto.

Finally, there are musical performances, theme nights and the prize contest that is called The Whimsical Carnival and which aims to reward the most original mask, which reflects the theme of the carnival that changes from year to year. As the claim that has always characterized the Carnival in Regalbuto says, "With us, YOU are the protagonist" and the activities planned for this important event are the main demonstration.

How to get to Regalbuto

It is possible to reach Regalbuto from both Palermo and Catania as the locality is well connected with the main centers of the island. In both cases the way to go is the A19 with exit at Catenanuova. From here it is possible to continue on the provincial SP23bis which, in about 12 km, will lead directly to Regalbuto. An alternative road from both Palermo and Catania is the SS121 which, however, even being shorter, is more busy. Those who prefer to travel by train, from Palermo can take the regional train that arrives at the Catenanuova-Centuripe station, the one closest to Regalbuto. Finally, both from Palermo and Catania it is possible to move with a provincial bus service with a stop right in the Carnival town.