2 events on the Amalfi Coast in February.
Maiori hosts the oldest and most elaborate carnival on the Amalfi Coast, a tradition dating back centuries. Giant papier-mache floats parade along the lungomare, accompanied by marching bands, costumed dancers, and theatrical troupes performing satirical sketches about local politics and national figures. The floats are built by neighborhood teams that compete fiercely for the best design — weeks of secret construction in garages and warehouses. Children throw confetti, the bars spill out onto the street, and the whole town becomes an open-air party. The grand finale features a fireworks display over the sea.
The best viewing spot is near the main piazza where the floats slow down for the judges. Wear clothes you do not mind getting covered in confetti and foam.
Minori's carnival is the family-friendly counterpart to Maiori's larger celebration. The town's narrow streets fill with costumed children, local bands, and smaller but beautifully crafted allegorical floats. The emphasis is on food: stands along the lungomare serve frappe (fried carnival pastry), castagnole (fried dough balls), and sanguinaccio (chocolate cream with pig's blood — more delicious than it sounds). The parade route winds through the historic center past the Roman Villa and down to the beach. It is a joyful, intimate celebration where visitors are pulled into the dancing by strangers who become friends.
Try the sanguinaccio — the traditional chocolate and pig's blood cream. It sounds alarming but it is one of the most decadent desserts in Campania. Minori's pastry shops make the best version on the coast.
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