Festa delle Marie 2026 – A Heartfelt Tradition of the Venice Carnival 2026

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

Festa delle Marie 2026 will take place in February 2026 in Venice, confirming its role as one of the most evocative and meaningful events of the Carnival of Venice 2026.

Steeped in legend, faith, and civic identity, this historic celebration represents a bridge between Venice’s medieval past and its modern Carnival traditions.

Every year, Festa delle Marie transforms the city into a living stage where history is reenacted through costumes, ceremonies, and symbolic rituals that honor both beauty and community.

Unlike many Carnival events focused primarily on spectacle, Festa delle Marie carries a strong narrative and historical dimension.

It recalls an ancient Venetian tradition rooted in devotion to the Virgin Mary, social solidarity, and the protection of young women at a crucial moment in their lives.

In its contemporary form, the event has become one of the most anticipated highlights of the Carnival calendar, attracting visitors, photographers, and history enthusiasts from all over the world.
 

Short History of Festa delle Marie

The origins of Festa delle Marie date back to the 9th century, during a time when Venice was consolidating both its political power and its religious identity.

According to historical sources, the tradition began with the custom of blessing young women who were about to be married. This blessing ceremony took place in the Church of San Pietro di Castello, which at the time served as the Cathedral of Venice and a central point of religious life.

Each year, twelve young women were selected from the poorest families of the city. Their selection was not based solely on beauty, but also symbolized the community’s commitment to social cohesion and mutual aid.

Every girl was entrusted to a wealthy Venetian family, which provided her with precious garments, jewelry, and a dowry – essential elements that would allow her to marry with dignity.

This ritual embodied a strong sense of civic responsibility, reflecting Venice’s unique social structure, where private wealth often played a public role. The number twelve carried symbolic weight, echoing religious references and reinforcing the sacred nature of the ceremony.

The tradition took a dramatic turn in 844, when tragedy struck during one of the blessing ceremonies at San Pietro di Castello.

A group of Dalmatian pirates attacked the church, kidnapping the twelve girls and stealing their valuable dowries and jewels. The event shocked the city and deeply wounded its sense of security and faith.

In response, Doge Pietro Tradonico organized an immediate pursuit of the pirates. The Venetian fleet intercepted them near Caorle, where the pirates were defeated, the girls were freed, and their dowries were recovered.

The triumphant return to Venice was met with widespread celebration and gratitude. The population attributed the successful rescue to the protection of the Virgin Mary, and Festa delle Marie was formally established as an annual event of thanksgiving.

In the centuries that followed, the feast grew in scale and importance. Originally lasting several days, it combined religious ceremonies, civic rituals, public banquets, and festive gatherings.

One of the most spectacular moments was the procession of boats along the Grand Canal, during which the twelve girls, dressed in sumptuous attire, were displayed to the admiring crowd as symbols of grace, virtue, and divine favor.

However, the tradition began to change in the 14th century. Starting in 1343, the real girls were replaced by twelve wooden statues, known as Marie di legno.

These figures were meant to preserve the symbolic aspect of the ceremony, but they gradually became the target of mockery and public disorder. Citizens threw stones and rubbish at the statues, turning the solemn ritual into a chaotic spectacle.

As a result of these disruptions and changing social conditions, Festa delle Marie was officially abolished in 1379. For nearly seven centuries, the tradition survived only in historical records and collective memory.

The revival came in 1999, when Festa delle Marie was reintroduced as part of the modern Venice Carnival.

Faithful to its historical roots but adapted to contemporary sensibilities, the event was transformed into a cultural reenactment that celebrates Venetian identity, history, and craftsmanship, while restoring dignity and visibility to one of the city’s oldest traditions.
 

What Happens at Festa delle Marie 2026?

Festa delle Marie 2026 will unfold through a series of carefully choreographed events that mirror both the historical narrative and the festive spirit of the Venice Carnival.

Each phase plays a specific role in transforming the twelve selected women into symbolic protagonists of the Carnival.

The journey begins with the selection of the 12 Marie, scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 3:00 PM, at the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista.

The selection process focuses on personality, elegance, and the ability to represent Venice and its Carnival, rather than purely aesthetic criteria.

Once selected, the twelve Marie embark on an intense and symbolic Carnival experience, attending official events, ceremonies, and public appearances.

One of the most anticipated moments is the dressing ceremony, known as La Vestizione, which will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Organized by the renowned Atelier Pietro Longhi, this event marks the first time the Marie wear their official historical costumes.

The costumes themselves are a fundamental element of Festa delle Marie 2026. Inspired by 18th-century Venetian fashion, they are meticulously crafted using traditional techniques, luxurious fabrics, and authentic designs.

As the Carnival progresses, public interest builds toward the final competition. On February 16, 2026, the titles of Maria of the Year and Maria de Il Gazzettino will be officially proclaimed.

The latter is chosen through a popular vote by readers of Il Gazzettino, one of Venice’s most historic newspapers, reinforcing the bond between the event and the local community.

This ceremony will take place in the prestigious Sale Apollinee at Teatro La Fenice, one of the city’s most important cultural institutions.

The following day, February 17, 2026, the winning Maria will be presented to the public in St. Mark’s Square. This final act places Festa delle Marie 2026 at the very heart of Venice, both geographically and symbolically.
 

Calendar of Events for Festa delle Marie 2026

• Saturday, January 31, 2026: Selection of the 12 Maries of the 2026 Venice Carnival, Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista;
• Saturday, February 7, 2026: The Vestizione – Fitting and Presentation curated by Atelier Pietro Longhi;
• Monday, February 16, 2026: Election of the 2026 Maria of the Year, Sale Apollinee at Teatro La Fenice;
• Tuesday, February 17, 2026: Proclamation of the 2026 Venice Carnival Maria, Piazza San Marco.

 
Festa delle Marie 2026 thus unfolds as a carefully structured narrative that blends history, ceremony, and spectacle, reaffirming its status as one of the most authentic and emotionally resonant events of the Carnival of Venice 2026.