Castignano, a medieval village of the Piceno area famous for its link with the history of the Templars, has a centuries-old tradition of Carnival, deeply rooted in the local culture. This Carnival's main event  is the traditional parade of "li moccule", bright multicolored lanterns built by local skillful craftsmen on a reed still green, ending in multi-faceted diamond shapes, covered with tissue paper of different colors. Inside the reed, which is open on one side, is inserted a candle, lighted before starting the procession from Piazza Umberto I accompanied by the sound of the "Catubba". So, the first moccoli you meet in the streets of the medieval town invite everyone to leave the house to tag along in the parade, calling "fora fora li moccule!", A magic and mysterious ritual rooted in the mists of time and continuously passed down in Castignano at least since 1861. The procession takes place in the darkness, without public lighting: the charming and colorful river of candles becomes a torrent of voices, lights and joy and leads to an ancient and fantastic world (to exorcise the evils of the past year and propitiate fortune for the future) and, through an impressive crescendo, it culminates in St. Peter's Square with the traditional battle that leads to the purifying bonfire. On the same day there is a parade of allegorical floats and masked groups. Not to be missed are the spectacular representations of life scenes, local satire and political parody. On the evening of Shrove Tuesday, with the long-awaited "Veglionissimo in maschera" (a masked event), which is held at the local Municipal Theatre with dancing and celebrations, it ends the Carnival. Taking part to this event also means visiting the beautiful medieval village of Castignano, located at the foot of Mount dell’ Ascensione, with its ravines and historic buildings.

Being linked to the traditions of Ascoli Piceno, Offida and Pozza-Umito, the Carnival of Castignano represents one of the most important events of the year in the entire Piceno territory.