Carnevale de Li Paniccià in Amandola
The Carnevale de Li Paniccià is the historic masked festival of Amandola, in the province of Fermo, and the most heartfelt carnival event of the Marche side of the Sibillini. In 2026 it reached its 41st edition. The name comes from an old epithet that, in the Middle Ages, the people of Amandola used for those who worked at dyeing fabrics, the "panni".
The highlight is the parade of allegorical floats, masked groups and comic characters, largely made by school classes. The festival ends with the bonfire of King Carnival, which recalls an ancient purification rite linked to the passage from winter to spring. In 2026 groups from Montemonaco, Sarnano, Comunanza, Montefortino and Monte San Martino also took part in the floats. For this reason, the Amandola carnival is increasingly regarded as the carnival of the Sibillini.
When the Carnevale de Li Paniccià takes place
The Carnevale de Li Paniccià takes place between February and the first days of March. The calendar follows the Carnival dates and changes from year to year.
In 2026 the program ran from February 7 to 21. The parade was held on Sunday, February 8, the King Carnival bonfire on Tuesday, February 17, and the final evening on Saturday, February 21. The 2025 edition, the 40th, ran from February 22 to March 8. The parade took place on Sunday, February 23, and the bonfire on Tuesday, March 4. In 2024 the parade had been set for February 11.
The parade therefore falls on a Sunday, while the bonfire is tied to Fat Tuesday (Martedì Grasso). The dates of the current edition are best checked with the Comune di Amandola or the Pro Loco, which organize the event with the support of local associations and schools. Outside this period the carnival has no events. Those visiting the Sibillini in other months can look at the page on fall food festivals in the Sibillini or the list of events and food festivals in the Sibillini in Le Marche.
The Carnevale de Li Paniccià program
The program is made up of several events over two weeks or a little more. In 2026 there were seven. The culminating events are the parade and the King Carnival bonfire.
The parade crosses Amandola. The procession starts from the Zoccolanti area, runs along via Cesare Battisti and arrives in Piazza Risorgimento, where the final party follows with music and entertainment. The floats combine fun and satire, with themes from national and international current affairs. A jury judges floats, groups and comic characters. In 2026, according to the mayor, the parade drew at least 5,000 people, with 15 floats and four groups.
Other events revolve around the parade, varying from edition to edition:
- Dance evenings. They are held at the Dancing delle Stelle. In 2026 the opening was the Veglione con le Penne Nere, on Saturday, February 7. In 2024 there were five dance evenings.
- Children's carnival. In 2024 it was held on February 13.
- Camper rally. In 2026 there was also a carnival-themed camper van rally.
- Fat Tuesday. In Piazza Risorgimento there is music, the lottery draw and the King Carnival bonfire, whose effigy is burned in the evening.
- Closing evening. In 2026 it was the Carnevalone, on Saturday, February 21. In 2025 the program closed on Saturday, March 8, with a dance evening.
On parade days the food is good too. Amandola's restaurants serve truffle pasta dishes, while cafés and pastry shops offer typical carnival sweets.
How to get to the Carnevale de Li Paniccià
The Carnevale de Li Paniccià takes place in Amandola, in the province of Fermo, at the foot of the Sibillini Mountains. By car, those coming from the A14 highway can exit at Pedaso or San Benedetto del Tronto and continue inland. From Rome and Umbria, the Civitanova Marche-Foligno exit on the SS77 Val di Chienti is the better choice.
By bus, intercity services leave from the train station of Ascoli Piceno for Comunanza and Amandola: lines and timetables should be checked with the transport companies. The trip takes about an hour.
On parade day the center fills up, so it is best to arrive early. The procession can be watched along via Cesare Battisti or in Piazza Risorgimento.
Where to stay for the Carnevale de Li Paniccià
Amandola and nearby Montefortino offer agriturismi (farm stays) in the Sibillini landscape and small B&Bs in the historic centers. In Amandola there are also guest rooms and apartments. There is also a camper van parking area, useful for those traveling by camper.
On the days of the parade and the bonfire the town is very busy, so it is best to book ahead. As an alternative, accommodation can be found in the neighboring municipalities that take part in the parade.