Carnival in Arco

Arco | from 11.02.2012 to 19.02.2012

Colors, masks and fun. On 11-12th and 18-19th February Arco turns to Arcoland, a paradise for children, with music and shows. Clowns, acrobats and jugglers will liven up the village streets, while adults will be entertained with concerts, tastings and masked parties.

According to the written sources, the Carnival tradition of the city dates back to the 15th century. Anyway, the present celebrations have to be traced back to 1876, a time where tourism was thriving in the area. Arco was frequently visited by the Habsburg family, and in particular by Emperor Francis Joseph, who chose the city as his winter residence.

The celebrations (characterized by elegant balls and society events) where prohibited by the Austrian authorities in 1912 and revived in the 60s, and this tradition is still alive and handed down from generation to generation. Nowadays, the Habsburg Carnival allows to experience the atmosphere of the end of the 19th century both in its popular aspects, with the reenactment of old crafts and the carnival floats, and in its elegant and exclusive events, with concerts, dinners and costume balls in the elegant rooms of the casino.

In the last years, another Carnival is celebrated in Arco, which is devoted to children: Carnevalarco offers a very rich program, with many activities: inflatables, sceneries and entertainment will turn the city into a big playground!

PROGRAM

Saturday 11th February
2 pm Via delle Palme
Inflatable playground. Baby dance, entertainment and carousels

5 pm to midnight - Party Room at the Casino
Non stop music evening with local bands

Sunday 12th February
2 pm Central gardens circuit
Carnival float with traveling music entertainment

Thursday 16th February
9 pm Party Room at the Casino
Masked ball

Friday 17th February
9 pm Party Room at the Casino
"La Corrida"

Saturday 18th February
2 pm Via delle Palme
Best masked costume contest with prizes
Prezzemolo and his friends from the amusement park Gardaland

5 pm Party Room at the Casino
Prize-giving of the best looking mask

Sunday 19th February
2 pm Central gardens circuit
Carnival float with traveling music entertainment