Carnival of Venice 2019

Do you want to know exactly when and where will take place the Venice Carnival 2025?

The Carnival of Venice is one of the most beautiful carnivals in the world, taking place every year in January, February or even March, on the islands of the Venetian Lagoon.

The Venice Carnival has become, in time, a great and spectacular tourist event, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world, who come to the city to participate in this festival considered unique for its history, atmosphere and masks.

SHORT HISTORY

The first mention of the word carnevale (carnival) is found in a document of the Doge Vitale Faliero, from 1094. The first official document declaring the Carnival of Venice as a public holiday is from 1296, when the Senate of the Republic set it before Lent. Starting with that moment, for the following centuries, the Carnival lasted six weeks, from December 26 to Ash Wednesday.

In the 18th century, the Venice Carnival reaches its maximum splendor and international recognition, becoming famous and prestigious throughout the Europe, being a major tourist attraction, and Venice a destination coveted by thousands of visitors.

From 1797, during the French occupation of Napoleon, and later, during the Austrian occupation, the tradition was interrupted for fear of rebellion of the population. Only on the major islands of the Venice Lagoon, such as Burano and Murano, the Carnival continued its course in a more subtle manner.

Only in 1979, almost two centuries later, the centuries-old tradition of the Venice Carnival was officially reborn from its ashes, thanks to the initiative of some citizen associations and the economic contribution of the City of Venice.

The individual annual editions of this new Carnival have often been dedicated to a basic theme. Some editions have also been characterized by pairings with other Italian and European cities, thus providing a further involvement of the event at an international level.

CARNIVAL OF VENICE 2019 will be held between February 16 and March 5, having its central point in the St. Mark’s Square. You can find below the calendar of the main events related to the Venice Carnival 2019.

February 16-17, Saturday & Sunday

• Grand Opening of the 2019 Venice Carnival – Venetian Feast on Water (Festa Veneziana sull’Acqua).

February 23, Saturday

• Festa delle Marie, held at San Pietro di Castello.
• Mestre Carnival Street Show.
• Official Dinner Show and Ball, at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi palace.

February 24, Sunday

• Flight of the Angel (Il Volo dell’Angelo), in St. Mark’s Square.
• Best Mask Contest.
• Mestre Carnival Street Show.
• Official Dinner Show and Ball.

February 28, Thursday

• Best Mask Contest.
• Carnival in Burano.
• Official Dinner Show and Ball.

March 1, Friday

• Best Mask Contest.
• Carnival in Burano.
• Official Dinner Show and Ball.

March 2, Saturday

• Best Mask Contest.
• Wagon parade, in Marghera.
• Carnival in Burano.
• Official Dinner Show and Ball.

March 3, Sunday

• The Eagle Flight (Volo dell’Aquila), in St. Mark’s Square.
• The Flight of the Donkey, in Mestre.
• The Best Masked Costume Contest 2018 – Award Ceremony.

March 4, Monday

• The “Svolo del Leon”, a tribute to the Lion of Saint Mark.
• Carnival in Burano.
• Official Dinner Show and Ball.
• Best Mask Contest – Kid’s Edition.

March 5, Tuesday

• Carnival of the youth of Zelarino.
• Festa delle Marie 2019 – Award Ceremony.
• Flight of the Lion (Svolo del Leon), a tribute to the Lion of Saint Mark.
• Carnival in Burano.
• Official Dinner Show and Ball.