Venice Carnival 2026

WHERE: Venice, Italy
WHEN: from 31st January to 17th February 2026

“A mask tells us more than one face” (Oscar Wilde).

Venice and the Carnival, an indissoluble couple.

No city in the world, can better enhance the traditional costume party. It will be for its atmosphere. It will be for the evocative charm of the lagoon … There is no doubt that those who love this party, can certainly not miss the Venice Carnival. It is one of the most popular and appreciated events in the world.

An event in which masks, and disguises, are the real protagonists. An event in which everyone participates joyfully and carefree. The moment when everyone gets rid of their daily life, identifying themselves with their character and their disguise. No prejudice; no class difference. Venice becomes a unique and immense stage, where everyone is an actor, a protagonist and a spectator.

Among the most famous and popular masks, there is certainly the Bauta, a purely Venetian figure, with a mask covering the whole face, and a dark cloak. Both men and women wear it. In ancient times, it was used above all for courting completely anonymously.

The origins of the party are quite ancient. A document from the 11th century mentions, for the first time, the term Carnival, combining it with public entertainment. The first official document declaring the Venice Carnival, a public festival, dates back to 1296.

Today, the Venice Carnival is an absolutely unique and unmissable event. The right opportunity to (re) discover an absolutely marvelous city.

THE MAIN SHOWS

Also for this edition, a full program of events and shows is planned. Among these, the Feast of the Maries is probably the most famous. It has very ancient origins and is reproduced, rather faithfully, in its traditional version.

Photo, 2011 Godromil

The Feat of the Marys was restored in 1999. It is a beautiful and spectacular procession that accompanies twelve local beauties, that is, the Marys. The girls are chosen through a special competition in the weeks preceding the Venice Carnival. The procession starts from San Pietro di Castello, and, along via Garibaldi and Riva degli Schiavoni, will arrive on the stage in Piazza San Marco. Here, the presentation of the 12 Marys and the parades of the parade will take place.

The Carnival water procession, however, marks the official start of the Venice Carnival. This is an evocative event on the waters of the Rio di Cannaregio. Many boats will parade on the water in a wonderful play of lights and sounds. Very beautiful. The Carnival Street Show, scheduled every day from 10:00 to 19:00, will feature street artists and circus performers along the city’s squares and streets.

Arsenale Water Show instead, will be the suggestive and exciting show that will fill the Darsena Grande with magic. This year it will bring to life the adventures of Giacomo Casanova.

But Carnival is not just floats and parades. Throughout the period of the event, in many exclusive locations, large dinners and masked balls are organized. Among these, the exclusive Carnival dinner-show “Official Dinner Show” at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi.

VENICE CARNIVAL 2026 PROGRAM

This year’s theme is “Olympus – The Origins of the Game”, a tribute to sport, art, and history, inspired by the Olympic year. Below are some of the unmissable events on the program. The complete list is available on the official Venice Carnival website.

• Sunday, 1st February 2026. Carnival water parade, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The boats begin gathering at 10:30 am at the Dogana da Mar, near the Church of the Salute.
• Saturday, 07th February. The Feast of the Marys. The 12 most beautiful girls will parade on gondolas starting at 3:00 pm and will arrive in San Marco Square for the presentation around 4:00 pm.
• Saturday 7th February and Sunday 08th February. Carnival Official Dinner Show, starting at 9:00 pm.