Low-key carnival season in Rome this year.

Despite lack of funding from the city, there are still several events taking place to celebrate Rome's traditional carnival season which runs until 9 February.

Under the title Il futuro di una festa antica, the eighth edition of Carnevale Romano is being produced on a voluntary basis and includes historical re-enactments, exhibitions, talks, live music and street theatre.

Much of the action is centred around Piazza Navona which, on Saturday 6 February from 14.00, hosts musicians and actors as well as an equestrian display featuring costumed knights and ladies on horseback, along with army and police horses.

On Sunday 7 February there will be a parade of carnival floats from Piazza Venezia along Via dei Fori Imperiali, while later that morning the Palazzo Braschi museum launches an exhibition of carnival-themed works from its collection.

Many of the carnival events are geared towards children, with the Bioparco in Villa Borghese holding a day-long programme of fun activities dedicated to the giraffe on 7 February.

The carnival season ends with the Bal en tête charity concert by the Italian navy band at Teatro Parioli on Tuesday 9 February at 21.00, with proceeds going to Telethon.

Traditionally carnival is the period of fun and festivities that runs up to the 40 days of fasting and prayer that Christians observe during Lent, which begins this year on 10 February, with Ash Wednesday, and ends with Easter Sunday on 27 March.