WHAT'S ON IN FEBRUARY ITALY

In February, nearly every town and village has it’s own carnival, which traditionally was the period of partying and to eat meat as much as you can before the period of abstinence and fating lent arrived on Ash Wednesday. The most famous and biggest of all is in Venice.

REGION: SICILY

The most famous carnivale celebrations in Sicily are the ones held in Sciacca and in Termini Imerese near Cefalù.

TOWN: Agrigento

Almond Blossom Festival – 1st Sunday and 1st week in February

Folk festival of song, dance, costumes and fireworks. Including also the International Folklore Festival with open air performances of drama and music staged in the Valley of the Temples. All the almond blossoms are out and the air is filled with a sweet perfume.

TOWN: Catania

Sant'Agata Festival 1st weekend in February
Catania's 500-year-old Sant'Agata Festival honours the city's patron saint, gathering around a million people in Piazza Duomo. Kick-starting the celebrations is an international cross-country race, followed by fireworks and a night-long parade.

TOWN: Acireale Carnivale

1st two weeks in Feb - This has always been considered Sicily's oldest and biggest carnivale celebration on the island.

REGION:TUSCANY

TOWN: Viarreggio - Carnivale

Highlight of the Carnevale festivities is the procession of spectacular and colourful floats.

REGION: VENETO

TOWN: Venice - Carnivale

Carnivale here is one of the most famous throughout the world. It is an amazing time in Venice so one needs to book early. The costumes are incredible and the mask makers work overtime to produce some extraordinary creations. Masked balls abound as well as weird and wonderful creatures wondering the streets.

Carnevale di Viareggio