The Manfredonia Carnival kicks off, with events of all kinds

Everything is ready for the 72nd edition of the Manfredonia Carnival, which, as usual, coincides with the day dedicated to Saint Anthony the Abbot, who has always been linked –to Manfredonia as in many other areas– to the start of the carnival events.

The Manfredonia Carnival represents one of the city's most iconic events: a historic event, deeply rooted in the local popular culture, which the municipal administration intends to enhance and relaunch as a collective heritage, capable of uniting generations, strengthening a sense of belonging, and promoting active community participation.

It is, first and foremost, a people's festival: open, inclusive, participatory. And it's a street celebration that transforms streets and urban spaces into places of encounter, social interaction, and creativity, restoring centrality to people, families, young people, and visitors, protagonists of a shared experience made of music, colors, masks, and tradition.

The event is scheduled for January 17th, starting at 8 pm in Piazza del Popolo, with live music and entertainment that will officially kick off the calendar of events. The event will feature the true protagonists of Carnival: children, teenagers, and teachers from the Sfilata delle Meraviglie Comprehensive Schools, a unique event in the Italian carnival scene that sees the direct participation of mothers, fathers, and grandparents in the making of costumes, associations already forming masked groups, and papier-mâché artisans from Siponto already working on the allegorical floats.

The Grand Parades are scheduled for Sunday, February 15, Tuesday, February 17, and Saturday, February 21: they have always represented the most significant moment of collective expression, the fruit of the work, passion, and creativity of teachers, students, young people, and artisanal craftsmen. A rich calendar of shows and side events will also enliven the city, enhancing the urban center, the social fabric, and Manfredonia's image as a vibrant, welcoming, and culturally dynamic city.