Intro

Bellinzona is a carnival stronghold. This carnival is known as the "Rabadan", which means "noise" in the Piedmontese dialect. Here, over 150,000 people let their hair down and celebrate out on the streets and in the tents.

The one who leads this noisy rabble is the King, who is elected by the local carnival society. On "Dirty Thursday", the mayor of Bellinzona gives him the (symbolic) key to the city gates. And then, for the next five days, it is the fools who are in charge of the capital of Ticino. On Friday, there is a procession by the children of Bellinzona and the surrounding area. On Saturday, Guggen musicians from Ticino and German-speaking Switzerland stage concerts until late into the night. The highlight of each Rabadan carnival is the big parade on the Sunday. Known as the Corteo, this parade includes around fifty floats and Guggen groups.

Integral features of the Rabadan carnival also include mask contests, tug of war competitions, street theatre and servings of risotto. Food and drink is served in the numerous carnival tents. The boisterous festive atmosphere in Bellinzona goes on until the early hours of the morning.