Cith the Epiphany that “takes away all the celebrations”, January is a month without big celebrations, but rather is considered the month of return, of diets, of good resolutions made on the last evening of the year. January, however, is expiring, and FebruaryInstead, it is the month par excellence of a celebration that is still long awaited and deeply felt: the Carnivalwith its colorful masks and its traditions. The streets come alive with parades, confetti and cheerful children who enjoy dressing up, changing their identity into that of their favorite hero. But where does this tradition come from and why is it so heartfelt? And above all: When does Carnival 2025 start and end? When will Thursday and Shrove Tuesday be? And what is Carnival Sunday?
Let’s start from the origins
Carnival has ancient roots that date back to the pagan and Christian world. Already in ancient Rome, there were festivals like Saturnaliaduring which slaves were temporarily free and social roles were reversed. This tradition evolved in the Middle Ages, when Carnival became a time of excess and freedombefore the rigor of Christian Lent. The term “Carnival” derives from the Latin “carnem levare”, which means “eliminate the meat”, in reference to the period of fasting and abstinence that precedes Easter. This festival, therefore, represented the last opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of the table and life before the start of Lent.
When Carnival 2025 begins and ends
In 2025, the Carnival starts on February 16th with Septuagesima Sunday, the liturgical holiday of the Christian tradition, which marks the beginning of the pre-Lenten period. It culminates on March 4th with Mardi Grasthe last day of celebrations before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. The Fat Thursday will be celebrated on February 27th and the Carnival Sunday March 2nd.
The traditional Carnival of Venice (Getty Images)
Traditions and celebrations: Venice and Casanova
In Italy, Carnival is celebrated with spectacular events and traditions unique to each region. But, as is known, there are some that are better known and more suggestive. The first is undoubtedly the Venice Carnivalfamous throughout the world for its elaborate masks and sumptuous costumes. During the period, the streets and canals of the city are filled with visitors fascinated by the mask parades, the masquerade parties in the historic buildings and the street shows.
This year’s edition, however, promises to be an extraordinary edition: in fact, the 300 years of Giacomo Casanova. And this is precisely the special theme 2025 which will pay homage to the iconic figure of eighteenth-century Venice, with events that will explore his adventurous life and his free spirit.
The most famous Carnivals
No less renowned is the Viareggio Carnivalin Tuscany, famous for its enormous allegorical floatsmade by local artisans. The parades along the seaside promenade are a riot of colors and satire, involving thousands of spectators and also curious tourists.
The Ivrea Carnivalin Piedmont, is best known for the spectacular “Battle of the Oranges”a historical re-enactment that involves citizens in a symbolic fight with oranges. This tradition, an experience truly out of the ordinary, attracts visitors from all over Italy and beyond.
It is also worth mentioning Cento Carnivalin Emilia-Romagna, celebration twinned with the famous Rio de Janeiro Carnivalwhich with its parades of allegorical floats, dance and music shows transforms the streets of the city into an explosion of colour.
Because the dates change every year
The Carnival dates are not always the same, but change every year. The reason is that they are closely linked to the liturgical calendar of Easter, which is a movable feast. Easter, in fact, is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon, and its date can vary between March 22nd and April 25th. Carnival, therefore, takes place in the period preceding Lent, which begins 40 days before Easter with Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday, which marks the height of Carnival celebrations, falls the day before Ash Wednesday.
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