Carnival of Acireale 2023

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The Carnival of Acireale 2023 (Carnevale di Acireale 2023) will take place between Saturday, February 4, and Tuesday, February 21, 2023, in Acireale.

The Acireale Carnival, one of the oldest in Sicily, is characterised by a parade of allegorical floats, decorated with flowers and lights, accompanied by masked people and music bands.

SHORT HISTORY

The first documented information about a carnival in Acireale dates back to 1594.

At the beginning of the 17th century, it was customary to have a battle of oranges and lemons during the carnival. Despite the enthusiastic participation of the crowd, in 1612, the Court issued a ban prohibiting the practice.

After the terrible earthquake of Val di Noto of 1693, which shook the eastern Sicily, the carnival was paused for a few years, but the event was reborn at the beginning of the 18th century.

In 1880, the first papier-mâché floats were built and exhibited during the carnival.

In 1929, the Autonomous Company and Healthcare Station of Acireale was established, the organization which took care of the event until the 1990s, when the carnival pass to the Municipality. In 1930, floats decorated with flowers were introduced.

After the Second World War, the mini-wagons were introduced (called Lilliputs). The custom of mini-wagons only lasted until the end of the 1960s.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

During the carnival, between 4 and 21 of February, the parade of allegorical floats will take place every Saturday and Sunday, on a predefined route.

The itinerary, triangular in shape, starts from Piazza del Duomo, continues on Corso Umberto, reaches Piazza Indirizzo, then left on Corso Italia, left again on Corso Savoia, and back to the same Piazza del Duomo.

FARES

The circuit of the carnival is usually closed, with paid admission on Saturdays and Sundays. A daily ticket costs 5.00€, and a season pass with 5 admissions costs 20.00€.