Stresa Carnival 2026: Full Program

Winter in Stresa lights up with joy thanks to the Stresa Carnival 2026, an event full of activities for all ages, taking place over three days in the heart of the town, with initiatives especially dedicated to families, children and lovers of costume parties.

The celebrations will be held at the Stresa Chapiteau Carnival Circus in Piazza Marconi, a large marquee that becomes the beating heart of the carnival for the entire duration of the events.

Saturday, February 14 – Children’s Carnival and live music

Stresa Carnival 2026 begins on Saturday afternoon, February 14 at 3:00 pm, with the Children’s Carnival, an afternoon dedicated to younger visitors with games, face painting and a snack, organized by the Italian Red Cross – Stresa Committee, for a fun and carefree experience.

The party continues in the evening at 9:00 pm with live music at the Stresa Chapiteau Carnival Circus, featuring the Shary Band, performing songs from the 1970s to the 1990s. After the concert, a DJ set with free entry will keep everyone dancing and having fun until late.

Sunday, February 15 – Parade, court and costume contest

Sunday, February 15, 2026, opens at 10:30 am with one of the most anticipated moments of the Stresa Carnival: the children’s costume parade in the presence of the Court of King Falcett, with prizes for the most creative costumes.

The event is free to attend and offers a special opportunity to see children parade, play and enjoy themselves together with family and friends.

Monday, February 16 – Children’s Carnival with entertainers

Carnival Monday, February 16, 2026, is once again dedicated to children: at 3:00 pm, at the Stresa Chapiteau Carnival Circus, the Children’s Carnival with entertainers from Oratorio Rosmini will take place, offering a celebration full of music, games and joy. Admission is free and open to everyone.

Tuesday, February 17 – Traditional “Pulenta e Salamitt”

The celebrations conclude with a delicious tradition: on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 12:00 pm, again at the Stresa Chapiteau Carnival Circus, the “Pulenta e Salamitt” returns – a typical dish of the local tradition, prepared by the Pro Loco of Stresa APS together with volunteers from the Civil Protection and the Alpini Group of Stresa.

Visitors can choose between eating on site or using the takeaway service to bring home the authentic flavour of the carnival.

A family-friendly carnival in Stresa

The Stresa Carnival is an event that brings together fun, tradition and social life: from music and games for children to costume parades and typical local food specialties. Every year the town celebrates this festival with initiatives involving residents and visitors alike, in a joyful atmosphere before the beginning of Lent, as tradition dictates in many Italian towns.

The tradition of Carnival in Stresa

Carnival in Stresa has always been a deeply felt celebration, closely linked to family and community life. Unlike the great historic Italian carnivals, the Stresa Carnival maintains an authentic and popular character, made up of moments of togetherness, activities for children, music and local culinary traditions.

Over the years, the event has become established around several symbolic highlights: the children’s costume parade, the presence of the Court of King Falcett, a traditional figure of the local carnival, and the conclusion with the historic “Pulenta e Salamitt”, a humble yet iconic dish, still prepared today with the involvement of local associations, Civil Protection volunteers and the Alpini.

The heart of the celebrations has gradually moved to Piazza Marconi, now home to the Stresa Chapiteau Carnival Circus, which allows events to take place even in bad weather and creates a unique space entirely dedicated to the festivities.

The Stresa Carnival therefore represents a balance between tradition, entertainment and community spirit, capable of involving residents and visitors and passing on, year after year, the most genuine spirit of winter festivities on Lake Maggiore.