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2027 editionCarnevale di Verona
The Carnival of Verona, the Bacanal del Gnoco, is considered one of the oldest in Europe and the whole city takes part with passion. Its symbol is the Papà del Gnoco, and the most eagerly awaited day is Venerdì Gnocolar, the last Friday of Carnival.
2027 dates
Dates to be confirmed
Venerdì Gnocolar traditionally takes place on the last Friday of Carnival. The official 2027 calendar has not yet been published.
For the programme and updates, see the website of the Comitato Carnevale Bacanal del Gnoco and that of the City of Verona.
Tickets: to be confirmed
The Carnevale di Verona
On Venerdì Gnocolar, allegorical floats and masks parade through the centre to Piazza San Zeno, where gnocchi are prepared from the morning onwards, with the proceeds going to charity. Alongside the main parade, the neighbourhood committees liven up the city with dozens of events featuring bands, majorettes and floats.
Where it is and how to get there
- By plane: Verona is served by Verona-Villafranca "Valerio Catullo" Airport, about 12 km from the city centre. From the airport you can take a taxi or a shuttle bus straight to Verona Porta Nuova railway station.
- By train: Verona Porta Nuova station is well connected to major Italian and European cities. Once you arrive, the city centre is easy to reach on foot, by taxi or by local public transport.
- By bus: Verona is served by several long-distance bus routes connecting the city to major Italian and European destinations. Buses generally stop near Porta Nuova station.
- By car: Verona lies on the A4 Milan–Venice motorway and the A22 Brenner motorway. Several motorway exits (including Verona Sud and Verona Est) make it easy to reach the city centre and surrounding areas.
Official website
The programme, updates and official announcements are published by the organisers.
Gallery
Carnevali d’Italia’s photos from the Carnival of Verona.
Video
History
The origins of the Bacanal del Gnoco date back to the 16th century. Between 1520 and 1531 Verona was hit by floods of the Adige and by the passage of the Landsknechts, and famine drove up the price of bread. On 18 June 1531 the people of San Zeno stormed the bakeries. To prevent a revolt, some citizens, including, according to tradition, the physician Tommaso Da Vico, fed the poorest people of the district with bread, wine and butter.
This was the origin of the “Venardi Gnocolar”. In Piazza San Zeno, next to the monument to Da Vico, there is still the stone table where the poor were invited on the Friday before Lent. Today that tradition lives on in the float parade and the distribution of gnocchi, with the Papà del Gnoco as the star.
Carnevale di Verona through your eyes
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