Amalfi Coast 
The Amalfi Coast is not just a treasure trove of beauty and glamour, but also home to traditions and cultural events that let you experience the true essence of the region. If you’re here or planning a vacation during this time of year, you absolutely cannot miss our Carnival events!
Every year, all the towns along the Coast offer a carnival program lasting several days. These typically include a parade of allegorical floats (or walking parades through the town streets, as in Positano’s case), special events for children with games and awards, and youth-oriented celebrations featuring music and DJ sets.
Leading the way is certainly the Grand Carnival of Maiori, now in its 51st year – a historically significant event sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and recognized as one of Italy’s Historic Carnivals.
Thanks to the ferry service active all year round, you can reach Maiori from different points of the Amalfi Coast, stop to enjoy a dessert in nearby Minori from the renowned Sal De Riso and return to your hotel!
Here are the times and prices from different destinations: simplyamalficoast.it/ferry-schedules
GRAND CARNIVAL OF MAIORI
From February 23rd to March 9th, 2025, Maiori’s kilometer-long seafront promenade will become an open-air stage for allegorical float parades, dance performances, and musical events themed around “Wonder”. This edition is dedicated to imagination and creativity, bringing together people of all ages, tourists and locals alike, in a joyful atmosphere!
Photo: Gran Carnevale Maiorese
But what makes this Carnival so special?! Its history, folklore, and popular essence! The Gran Carnevale Maiorese was born back in 1971, and rather than just a parade of floats, it consisted of genuine theatrical performances, accompanied by themed choreography and music created specifically for the occasion, performed on a constantly moving stage through the streets of the town.
Only later was the use of iron and papier-mâché introduced to create, strictly by hand, what are now true works of art crafted by groups led by “float artisans.”
“I’m Born Too, Not You”
Gran Carnevale Maiorese, 1976
Today, the Gran Carnevale Maiorese maintains its popular and folkloric nature, evolving without losing its essence: everything is still created in a “tailored” way and followed step by step like a true piece of craftsmanship, from conception to sketch, to the creation of the float, costumes, dances, and music!
And speaking of this edition, here’s a little spoiler: there will be five floats in competition, created by five different groups of citizens who are genuine local associations, and the themes will be Super Mario Wonder, The Little Prince, Abracadabra, The Frequencies of Life, and Dream Boy Dream.
Here the event programm: Gran Carnival of Maiori, programm 2025
DULCIS IN FUNDO
If you really want to immerse yourself in the tradition of the local carnival, you can’t help but taste the two dishes consumed during this event: a nice plate of baked lasagna, a sheet of egg pasta traditionally seasoned with ragù, béchamel and parmesan, but open to a thousand variations to satisfy everyone’s tastes; and our “chiacchiere”, crispy fried sheets sprinkled with icing sugar to make them even more delicious!
