In Locarno, the "Stranociada" is an appointment not to be missed on Friday night, where the old town is invaded by masks, little tents, Guggen, music and pure fun until early in the morning.
The Nebiopoli Carnival in Chiasso is the most important Roman-rite carnival in the Sottoceneri region, and its peculiarity is the absence of a 'king': in fact, the hand-over of power during the carnival goes to a Prime Minister, who transforms the town into the 'Nebiopoli Free Republic'. During the 'republican week', masked groups and Guggen transform the streets of the centre into a place where fun rules. The peak of the celebrations is Shrove Tuesday's Nebiopoli masked parade, featuring large numbers of floats, groups, bands and Guggenmusik.
In many different locations throughout the Canton, celebrations take place only at the end of the Carnival week, following the Ambrosian rite. Biasca, Brissago and Tesserete can pride themselves with some of the busiest Carnivals, with their Saturday parades featuring masked groups, floats and Guggen music bands. The large masked feasts in public spaces and in marquees all over the town centres start on Thursday night, with games, free risotto for everybody, many 'coriandoli' (coloured confetti papers) and bands performing live music. A wild world of colour, masks and sounds, finally winding down only on Sunday morning.
