Carnevale in Adelaide is an annual Italian festival held in

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

which follows the centuries-old Christian tradition of Carnevale which is the last celebration before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of

Lent Lent ( la, Quadragesima, 'Fortieth') is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke ...

- see Carnival.

Background and History

The first Carnevale in Adelaide was held in 1976 in

Rundle Mall Rundle Mall is a pedestrian street mall located in Adelaide, South Australia. It was opened as a pedestrian mall in September 1976 by closing the section of Rundle Street between King William Street and Pulteney Street, to vehicular traffic. ...

. A parade travelled from Victoria Square to

Elder Park Elder Park is a public open space in the city of Adelaide, South Australia on the southern bank of the River Torrens and that is bordered by the Adelaide Festival Centre and North Terrace. The park is named after the Elder family who wer ...

before ending with celebrations in Rundle Mall. It was originally called The Italian Festival and is now known as Carnevale in Adelaide. The festival has been held in a number of locations over the years including Rundle Mall, Elder Park, Norwood and

Adelaide Oval Adelaide Oval is a sports ground in Adelaide, South Australia, located in the parklands between the city centre and North Adelaide. The venue is predominantly used for cricket and Australian rules football, but has also played host to rugby le ...

Rymill Park Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka (previously spelt Mullawirraburka), and numbered as Park 14, is a recreation park located in the East Park Lands of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. There is an artificial lake with rowboats for hire, a ...

. In 2015 it was held at The Adelaide Showground It is a means of inspiring young people to embrace their Italian heritage and for the wider community to experience Italian culture. The event also raises funds to cater for welfare needs of the elderly in the Italian community through the Co-ordinating Italian Committee (CIC) and supports other worthy charities and community organisations.

1976

Inaugural Italian Festival held in Rundle Mall.

2007

Held 10–11 February at

2012

Held 11–12 February at The Adelaide Showground.

2013

Held 9–10 February at The Adelaide Showground.

2014

Held 8–9 February at The Adelaide Showground.

2015

Held 7–8 February at The Adelaide Showground.

2016

Will be held 13–14 February at The Adelaide Showground.

Program

The program includes live music, activities for children, dance, comedy, Mr and Miss Carnevale competition, fireworks, food and drink, cooking demonstrations, Italian cars on display, fashion parades, the national sausage making competition and screenings of Italian films and documentaries.

References

{{reflist Festivals in Adelaide