Cento Carnevale d’Europa 2027, Italy

• January 31, 2027
  Event date:
• February 28, 2027
  Event end:

What to expect in 2027

Cento Carnevale d’Europa 2027 will return to the historic centre of Cento, in Emilia-Romagna, with five main Carnival Sundays scheduled for January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21 and February 28, 2027. The festival is centred on spectacular allegorical papier-mâché floats, masked groups, music, street entertainment and activities throughout the historic centre. The official website describes the Carnival as an event involving the whole city and dedicated to its arts, crafts and traditions.

The 2027 edition is expected to continue the established format of five parade Sundays, with the participating Carnival associations presenting their large floats and competing for the annual title. The detailed 2027 programme and individual float themes have not yet been published on the official programme page.

Cento’s Carnival has a long documented tradition, with the official roll of honour recording winning Carnival associations and floats from 1947 onward. The modern event also has an international identity and has historically included major entertainment guests and special events.

Event dates

The official dates for Cento Carnevale d’Europa 2027 are:

First Carnival Sunday: January 31, 2027

Second Carnival Sunday: February 7, 2027

Third Carnival Sunday: February 14, 2027

Fourth Carnival Sunday: February 21, 2027

Fifth Carnival Sunday: February 28, 2027

The official website currently displays all five dates for the 2027 edition. The detailed daily programme, parade timings and entertainment schedule are still awaiting publication.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & event locations

The Carnival takes place principally in the historic centre of Cento, with Piazza Guercino and Corso Guercino playing central roles in the traditional parade and entertainment programme.

Previous official programmes have also used the Rocca of Cento for historical reenactments, while Piazza Guercino has hosted the main stage and special entertainment. Other activities have been staged at locations including Via XXV Aprile, the Partecipanza Agraria headquarters and other central-city venues.

The final 2027 circuit, entrances, spectator areas and temporary facilities will be confirmed by the organiser closer to the event.

Full holiday programme

The complete 2027 programme has not yet been published. The official 2027 programme page is currently online but does not yet list the individual events and times.

Based on recent editions, the programme is expected to combine the five main allegorical parades with:

• Carnival float presentations and competitions
• Live music and stage performances
• Historical reenactments
• Cultural exhibitions
• Family activities
• Special guest appearances
• Motor and automobile events
• Carnival-themed entertainment
• Special exhibitions and community events

In 2025, for example, the programme included historical activities at the Rocca, musical performances, automobile parades, Carnival processions, sporting activities, Cento Special Comics and a final awards and fireworks programme.

Main attractions & highlights

Giant papier-mâché floats: The large allegorical floats are the central attraction, created by Cento’s Carnival associations and presented during the five parade Sundays.

Carnival associations: Recent editions have featured five competing associations, including I Ragazzi del Guercino, Toponi, Fantasti100, Mazalora and Risveglio. The participating associations for 2027 will be confirmed by the organiser.

Piazza Guercino stage: The main square has traditionally hosted live entertainment and special guests during Carnival Sundays.

Carnival competition: The floats are presented as part of an annual competition, with a winning association and float announced at the conclusion of the edition.

Historic centre: The parade transforms central Cento into a large open-air Carnival environment, combining the floats with music, costumes and street activities.

Markets, decorations & themed areas

The historic centre is transformed during the Carnival period with decorated streets, temporary event structures, entertainment spaces and areas associated with the parade circuit.

Previous programmes have included exhibitions of historic Carnival costumes and papier-mâché masks, with “Il Carnevale si racconta” presenting elements of Cento’s Carnival heritage in the historic centre.

The event also creates themed areas around individual activities. In 2025, Cento Special Comics occupied a dedicated venue on Via XXV Aprile, while historical and cultural activities were staged around the Rocca and Corso Guercino.

The exact 2027 market stalls, commercial areas and themed installations have not yet been announced.

Events & entertainment schedule

The detailed 2027 entertainment schedule is still pending publication. Recent editions show that the Carnival programme extends beyond the main float parades and incorporates concerts, DJ sets, special guests, sports, historical performances and themed events.

The 2026 edition featured major stage appearances by Rose Villain and Jake La Furia, while the official post-event material highlighted the large papier-mâché floats and the entertainment programme in Piazza Guercino.

Previous 2025 programming included Dargen D’Amico and Mr Rain, together with musical performances, motor events, children’s activities and other special events.

Admission & ticket information

The official 2027 ticket page is already available. A full ticket valid for one Carnival Sunday costs approximately $22, based on the organiser’s published 2027 rate converted to USD. The ticket includes the shows included in the official programme.

Full Sunday ticket: approximately $22

Online full ticket: approximately $22 plus the applicable presale fee

Organised groups of at least 25 people: approximately $18 per person

Children under 1.20 metres: Free

Children from 1.21 metres up to 14 years: approximately $18

The organiser also provides a dedicated process for disabled visitors and accompanying persons, subject to availability.

Special experiences & activities

Cento Carnevale d’Europa offers more than the main float procession. Visitors can explore the historic centre while attending musical performances, cultural activities, exhibitions and special entertainment connected with the Carnival.

Previous editions have included the presentation of Carnival float sketches before the main event, allowing visitors and residents to see the concepts prepared by the participating associations. The 2026 sketch presentation was held during the Fiera di Cento.

Special activities have also included Cento Special Comics, historical reenactments, themed automobile gatherings, sporting activities and philatelic initiatives. The exact special-event programme for 2027 will be announced by the organiser.

Family & children’s activities

The Carnival’s open-air format makes the event suitable for families, with colourful floats, costumes, music and street performances forming the central experience.

Recent editions have incorporated activities involving local children and sporting organisations. The 2025 programme included awards for young athletes and other community activities on the Piazza Guercino stage.

Families should check the 2027 programme for dedicated children’s entertainment, workshops and special activities once the organiser publishes the full schedule.

Event rules

Visitors must comply with the access and safety requirements established by the organisers and local authorities. Because the event takes place in public streets and involves large moving floats and substantial crowds, visitors should remain within designated public areas and follow instructions from staff and security personnel.

The organiser has previously introduced temporary rules concerning objects and animals inside the event circuit. In 2025, for example, an official notice temporarily prohibited bottles and animals for safety reasons, while a later municipal order allowed dogs under specified conditions. This demonstrates that rules can change according to the individual edition and local safety requirements.

Visitors should therefore check the official notices immediately before attending rather than relying on rules from an earlier edition.

How to get there

Cento is located in the province of Ferrara in Emilia-Romagna and is accessible by road from Bologna, Ferrara, Modena and other cities in the region.

Visitors arriving by car can use the regional road network connecting Cento with Bologna, Ferrara and Modena. The town’s historic centre is the focus of the Carnival, so traffic restrictions and temporary road closures can be introduced on parade days.

For visitors arriving from farther away, Bologna and Ferrara provide useful transport connections to the wider Cento area. The official tourist information service can provide current public-transport information from Bologna, Ferrara and Modena.

Public transport & parking

Cento does not have a major intercity railway station in the historic centre, so visitors arriving by train generally need to combine rail travel with local bus or other connections from nearby transport hubs.

The official tourist information page specifically provides information about public-transport connections from Bologna, Ferrara and Modena through TPER.

Visitors travelling by campervan have dedicated parking areas. The organiser states that camper parking is free and does not require a reservation, with designated areas at Piazzale 7 Fratelli Govoni on Via Marescalca and on Via Burgatti. The organiser recommends notifying the group/campervan office of the intended weekend of arrival.

Accommodation areas

Staying in central Cento provides convenient access to the Carnival circuit, Piazza Guercino, Corso Guercino and the historic centre. Accommodation in and around the town is suitable for visitors planning to attend one or more parade Sundays.

Visitors can also consider accommodation in nearby Ferrara, which provides a larger urban base and additional hotels, restaurants and transport connections.

Bologna is another practical base for visitors who want to combine the Carnival with a larger-city stay. Travellers choosing accommodation outside Cento should allow additional time for transport because parade-day traffic restrictions can affect access to the historic centre.

Food, drinks & seasonal specialties

Cento’s Carnival takes place in the Emilia-Romagna food region, allowing visitors to combine the festival with local restaurants, cafés, bakeries and traditional regional cuisine.

The wider area is associated with Emilia-Romagna specialities such as fresh pasta, filled pasta, cured meats, cheeses and traditional desserts. During Carnival season, visitors can also find traditional Italian Carnival sweets and pastries.

Food and drink stalls or temporary refreshment areas may be included within the 2027 Carnival circuit, but the final vendor and food-area information has not yet been published.

Accessibility

The organiser provides a dedicated procedure for disabled visitors. The official 2027 ticket information states that an area inside the Carnival circuit is allocated for visitors with mobility disabilities and that an accompanying person is required for this service. Access is subject to available places.

For accessibility arrangements, visitors can contact the organiser before attending. The official tourist information page provides a dedicated contact route for disabled access and other visitor assistance.

Because the Carnival takes place across streets and public squares, visitors should confirm the location of accessible entrances, viewing areas and routes before their chosen parade date.

Best days & times to visit

All five Sundays are official 2027 Carnival dates: January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21 and February 28. Each date is expected to feature the central Carnival procession and associated entertainment.

Visitors interested in the complete atmosphere should arrive before the afternoon parade, allowing time to explore Cento’s historic centre and any morning activities. Recent programmes have typically placed the main allegorical parade in the afternoon, with additional events taking place earlier in the day.

Those planning a family visit should check the daily programme before travelling because children’s activities and special events can vary from one Sunday to another.

Previous year’s highlights

The 2026 edition concluded with Fantasti100 announced as the winning Carnival association, following five Sundays of parades. The official news archive identifies the winning float as “Dimmi… cosa vedi?”

The 2026 edition also featured major live entertainment in Piazza Guercino, including Rose Villain on February 1 and Jake La Furia as another headline guest. The official post-event video highlights these performances alongside the giant papier-mâché floats.

The longer history of the event is recorded in the official roll of honour. It lists annual winning associations and float titles from 1947 onward, including Toponi’s 2025 winning “La foresta delle illusioni” and Fantasti100’s 2026 winning “Dimmi… cosa vedi?”.

Official event information

The official Cento Carnevale d’Europa website is the primary source for the 2027 programme, tickets, access rules, parade information and visitor updates.

The organiser’s operational office is located at Via Daniele Manin 7/B, 44042 Cento (FE), Italy. The official telephone number is 051 904252, while the published contact information also provides dedicated email addresses for general information, groups and campervans, artistic organisation and accessibility.

The 2027 dates are already confirmed, and the official ticket page is active. The detailed programme page is online but currently awaiting the full schedule and event details.

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