Carnival in Bolzano Bozen: costumes and floats bring the streets to life

Carnival brings Bolzano Bozen’s neighbourhoods to life with a wide range of events and celebrations in squares and parks, organised by numerous local associations. Music, games, inflatables and magic shows entertain families with children, grandparents and residents of all ages. Carnival offers an opportunity to rediscover the pleasure of being together and to fill public spaces with a shared celebration, temporarily setting aside the worries of everyday life. 

The undisputed heart of Carnival in Bolzano has always been the Talvera Promenades and the meadows along the Talvera River. Thousands of children and teenagers in fancy dress peacefully fill these green spaces, creating a colourful stream between the modern city and the medieval centre. Beyond the confluence with the Isarco River, the festivities continue downstream towards the southern neighbourhoods. 

These are spontaneous parades, formed through chance encounters or groups of friends coming together. What unites them is the desire to express their freedom by dressing up as iconic characters and playing jokes on one another. 

For several years now, the parade of Carnival floats organised by the Nuovo gruppo carnevalesco di Pineta di Laives has also become a well-established tradition, bringing a festive atmosphere to several city streets. Featuring dozens of floats, hundreds of people in costume and dance groups—some wearing traditional costumes from Latin American countries—the parade has become an unmissable fixture in the city’s Carnival calendar. 

The procession usually starts in Bari street and continues along Parma street, Sassari street, Montecassino street, Milano street and Torino street, before dispersing at the intersection with Roma street. 

Numerous parks and squares also host activities for younger Carnival-goers. In previous years, Parco delle Semirurali, Firmian, and Nikoletti square in Oltrisarco have served as popular meeting places at the heart of their neighbourhoods. 

On Shrove Thursday and Shrove Tuesday, visitors may also encounter Brattarello, Bolzano Bozen’s own Carnival character, created a few years ago as part of a project supported by the municipal administration. 

With costumes, music and a riot of colour, Bolzano Bozen prepares to celebrate Carnival as an occasion for participation, light-hearted fun and shared enjoyment. 

Image: Carnival, Courtesy LaMascheraDiBolzano.com