The Carnival of Venice 2026 – Complete Guide, Dates, History, Events & What to Expect

Everything You Need to Know About the Carnival of Venice 2027.

The Carnival of Venice 2026 (Carnevale di Venezia 2026) will take place between Saturday, January 31, and Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in the incredible and world-famous city of Venice.

This historic celebration is one of the most recognizable festivals on Earth, known for its spectacular masks, elegant costumes, centuries-old traditions, and unique atmosphere that transforms the entire lagoon city into an open-air stage.
 

Dates of the Venice Carnival 2026

The Venice Carnival is an annual festival that begins 19 days before Lent and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the first day of Lent in the Christian calendar.

Traditionally, the most important days of the Carnival are:

• Fat Thursday (Giovedì Grasso) – the last Thursday before Lent
• Shrove Tuesday (Martedì Grasso) – the final and most festive day before Ash Wednesday

 
During the Carnival of Venice 2026:

• Fat Thursday falls on February 12, 2026
• Shrove Tuesday falls on February 17, 2025

 
While the Carnival officially lasts the full 18 days, the largest crowds and highest tourist influx are recorded on weekends, especially the opening weekend, Fat Thursday and Shrove Tuesday.

Travelers planning to visit the Carnival of Venice 2026 during those dates should book accommodation and transportation well in advance, as hotels in and around Venice often reach very high occupancy rates.
 

Where Does the Venice Carnival 2026 Take Place?

The Venice Carnival 2026 does not take place only in the historical center. When we say Venice, we refer to:

• The main island and historic city
• The islands of the Venetian Lagoon, including Murano, Burano and Lido
• The mainland areas of the city, such as Mestre and Marghera

 
Although the most famous Carnival events – parades, shows, and the iconic celebrations in St. Mark’s Square – are held in the historic center of Venice, the program also includes cultural activities, concerts, and theatrical performances throughout Mestre, Marghera, and the lagoon islands. This allows visitors who stay outside the historic area to still enjoy Carnival festivities.

Murano, known worldwide for its glassmaking tradition, and Burano, famous for lace and colorful houses, often host small local parades, artisan workshops, and traditional markets during the Carnival period.
 

A Short History of the Carnival of Venice

The origins of the Carnival of Venice can be traced back almost one thousand years. The earliest written record dates to 1094, when the word carnevale appeared for the first time in a document signed by Doge Vitale Faliero.

In the Middle Ages, the Carnival was particularly important for the lower classes: wearing masks allowed ordinary people to interact freely with nobles and clergy, creating a rare moment of equality in a highly hierarchical society.

The first official document declaring the Venice Carnival a public holiday dates to 1296, when the Senate of the Venetian Republic established it before Lent.

Beginning in 1296, the Carnival lasted six weeks, usually from December 26 until Ash Wednesday.

During this period, theaters, public squares, private palaces, and narrow canals were filled with dancers, musicians, jesters, street performers, and people disguised in beautifully decorated masks.

Because the mask guaranteed anonymity, Venice developed a reputation for both splendor and excess. Authorities introduced legal restrictions to maintain order:

• 1339: being masked in public after dark was banned
• 1458: appearing masked in sacred places was prohibited
• Later, masked prostitution was banned
• 1703: entering casinos or gambling houses while masked became illegal

 
Despite these rules, the Carnival continued to grow. In the 18th century, Venice reached the height of its fame as a cosmopolitan capital of theater, music, art, and luxury.

The city attracted aristocrats, merchants, diplomats, and travelers from all over Europe. Writers and musicians such as Casanova, Goethe, and Mozart experienced the Carnival firsthand, helping spread its reputation.

The decline came with political changes. After 1797, when Napoleon invaded northern Italy, and later during the Austrian occupation, Venetian authorities suspended the Carnival for fear of rebellion and public unrest.

Only in some lagoon islands – particularly Murano and Burano – did smaller, discreet celebrations survive.

The modern Carnival returned only in 1979, thanks to the initiative of local cultural organizations and financial support from the Municipality of Venice.

Since then, each edition has featured a rich program of theatrical shows, historical parades, and artistic performances.

Every year has a different theme. For example, the Carnival of Venice 2025 was dedicated to the timeless figure of the Venetian icon Giacomo Casanova, under the title Il tempo di Casanova (The Time of Casanova).
 

Carnival of Venice 2026 – Calendar of Events

Since the modern revival of the festival in 1979, the Venice Carnival includes an official calendar with dozens of public performances, concerts, workshops, art installations, exhibitions, children’s events, and traditional celebrations.

While the Carnival of the past lasted six weeks, the modern edition takes place over 18 days, but the schedule is extremely dense.

In addition to public events, Venice hosts exclusive private parties and masked balls in palaces overlooking the Grand Canal.

These events are famous for their historical atmosphere, 18th-century costumes, live orchestras, gourmet dinners, and theatrical performances. Some require formal attire and advance reservations.

The theme of the Venice Carnival 2026 will be Olympus – At the Origins of the Game. Inspired by mythology and the harmony between body and mind, the Carnival of Venice 2026 pays tribute to the Venice of centuries past, when the Carnival was a grand stage for competitions, acrobatic performances, and collective displays of skill.
 

 
The main highlights of the Venice Carnival 2026 include:

Festa Veneziana – The Water Parade of the Venice Carnival 2026, along the Grand Canal
A spectacular aquatic parade launches the festival. Boats decorated with lights and traditional Venetian ornaments glide along the water, accompanied by music, dancers, and costumed performers. Because the Grand Canal is Venice’s central street, the parade becomes a floating theater.
 
Arsenale Water Show > Buy Tickets
The Arsenale Water Show is a spectacular nighttime event of the Carnival of Venice 2026 that blends water, light, and music into an immersive experience. Set in a historic maritime location, it captivates audiences with choreographed fountains, reflections, and artistic storytelling on water.
 
Festa delle Marie, in Piazza San Marco
One of the oldest and most symbolic traditions of Carnival. Twelve young women wearing elaborate historical costumes are presented to the public. The ceremony recalls a medieval celebration in which the Doge honored Venetian brides with jewelry and gifts. Today, it is one of the most elegant and theatrical events.
 
Flight of the Angel (Volo dell’Angelo), in Piazza San Marco
During the Flight of the Angel, a performer – traditionally the winner of the previous year’s Festa delle Marie – glides gracefully along a cable from the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica, descending above the crowd and landing in St. Mark’s Square amid celebration.
 
Flight of the Eagle (Volo dell’Aquila), in Piazza San Marco
The Flight of the Eagle is a second spectacular descent from the bell tower, usually starring a well-known athlete, artist, or public figure, who glides above the crowd on a cable, symbolically opening the celebrations with excitement, prestige, and strong public engagement.
 
Best Mask Contest, in Piazza San Marco
The Best Mask Contest brings together participants from all over the world, who showcase extraordinary handmade costumes and traditional Venetian masks. Celebrated by photographers and fashion enthusiasts alike, it is widely regarded as the most colorful, creative, and visually artistic highlight of the Carnival of Venice 2026.
 
Official Dinner Show of the Venice Carnival 2026 > Buy Tickets
The Official Dinner Show of the Carnival of Venice 2026 is a luxurious evening that combines fine dining with live performances and elegant historical costumes. Usually hosted at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, it offers guests an immersive experience of Venetian history, art, and refined celebration.
 
Perplex Carnival Party > Buy Tickets
The Perplex Carnival Party 2026 is one of the most anticipated nightlife events of the Venice Carnival 2026, transforming the historic Arsenale into a vibrant electronic music hub where international DJs, immersive sound, and Carnival energy create an unforgettable late-night experience.
 

What to Expect When Visiting Venice Carnival 2026

During Carnival, the entire city becomes a stage. Visitors will see masked couples walking along the canals, photographers everywhere, orchestras performing in the squares, and craftsmen selling handmade masks and traditional Venetian clothing.

Piazza San Marco, the Rialto area, and the Grand Canal will be the most crowded locations.

Venice’s public transportation system – vaporetto boats, water taxis, and regional buses – operates as usual, though ferries may be busier than normal.

Many travelers choose to stay in Mestre or Marghera, where accommodation is generally more affordable, and reach Venice by train or bus in less than 15 minutes.

For families, there are special children’s events, puppet theaters, and mask-making workshops, particularly in San Polo and Castello districts.

Museums and cultural institutions also host exhibitions linked to Carnival themes, Venetian art, and traditional craftsmanship.
 

Why the Venice Carnival Is Unique

No other festival in the world combines history, art, architecture, music, and theater in the same way.

Thanks to its ancient origins, the Carnival of Venice is not just a modern event – it is a living tradition that connects visitors with the city’s glorious past.

The masks, palaces, gondolas, and historic squares create a dream-like atmosphere that cannot be reproduced anywhere else.
 

Photos from Previous Editions of the Venice Carnival

If you are passionate about photography and fascinated by Venetian masks, costumes, and the magic of Carnival, until the start of the Carnival of Venice 2026, you can explore photo galleries from past editions on our blog.

These collections showcase the most beautiful masks, elegant historical costumes, and unforgettable moments captured in the streets, bridges, and squares of Venice. Discover the images at the following links:

Carnival of Venice 2018 | Carnival of Venice 2020 | Carnival of Venice 2023 | Carnival of Venice 2024 | Carnival of Venice 2025