Venice Italy Carnival; 
🎭 Venice Carnival 2026 – dates, highlights and tips

" Venice Italy Carnival! Book your tickets now and participate in local events." 

Tickets Carnaval Events Venice

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Venice Italy Carnival 2026 isn't an event you just pop into. It's a centuries-old tradition, and there's so much to see in the city!

Here you can read what it's all about, when to go, and what you absolutely can't miss. Whether you're in Venice for just one day or staying several nights.

1. When is Venice Carnival?

The Venetian Carnival takes place from:

🗓️ Saturday, February 7th to Tuesday, February 17th, 2026

  • Opening: Saturday, February 7th
  • Highlight: Weekend of February 14th & 15th
  • Closing: Martedì Grasso – Tuesday, February 17th

👉 Tip: If you're traveling to Venice during this period, book your hotel, transfer, or gondola well in advance. The weekend around Valentine's Day is particularly popular. Check out my tips for staying overnight during peak periods:

Overnight stay in Venice

Arriving by car during Venice Carnival?
You can then park cheaply at the following locations, according to Parclick. Book quickly, because they fill up quickly.

But now...

2. What exactly is the Carnival of Venice?

Carnaval in Venice

Carnival of Venice. This ancient event is celebrated to mark the transition from winter to spring. The festival began in 1296.

Venice was then a republic. An official established a public holiday for the beginning of spring. Only during Napoleon's reign was the Carnival of Venice abolished. Read more about Venice's history.

After a hiatus of almost two centuries, the tradition of Venice Italy Carnival was rediscovered. It was established by and for the commercial sector to create a peak in the off-season.

" Visit the world-famous Venice Carnival! Book tickets now and participate in local events." 

Tickets Carnaval Events Venice

Carnival in Venice Italy

Venice Italy Carnival has taken place annually since the 1960s. A time when seemingly anything is possible.

The event lasts 12 days each year and ends 40 days before Easter. Carnival always takes place in February/March.

The carnival is an open-air spectacle in which Venice harks back to its former glory. Venetian masks once provided anonymity: rich and poor, nobility and commoners, walked side by side without status.

Today, this is reflected in:

  • public ceremonies in squares
  • historical parades
  • evening shows on the water
  • exclusive masked balls in palaces

And best of all: much of the spectacle is free.

3. The activity's during Venice Italy Carnival

For almost two weeks, you can marvel at costumes, boat parades, and concerts in this fairytale Italian city. The Venice Carnival is the largest and most important Venetian festival.

A blend of tradition, entertainment, and history in a unique city. A festival that attracts thousands of people from all over the world.

The most famous 2026 moments unfold around Piazza San Marco and the Campanile di San Marco.

  • February 8 – Flight of the Angel
    Official opening of the carnival.
  • February 15 – Flight of the Eagle
    A powerful ceremony with a Venetian lead.
  • February 17 – Flight of the Lion
    A symbolic closing ceremony on Martedì Grasso.

Come early. Very early. The square is often packed hours beforehand.

➡️Want to cleverly combine San Marco with quieter spots?
My walking route through Venice – also during Carnival

Venice Italy Carnival Events

Evening show at the Arsenale:

In the evening, the spectacle shifts to the Arsenale di Venezia.

Every evening there's a large-scale light and water show with dance, acrobatics, and music. In 2026, the production will focus on mythology and Venetian grandeur.

✔️ Free admission
✔️ Less crowded than San Marco
✔️ Impressive after sunset

I personally enjoyed taking a Carnival tour. Real entertainment with actors, exploring the city, and soaking up some Carnival history.

Another great thing—especially with your family—is making and painting a real mask yourself during Venice Italy Carnival. This can be done during a mask workshop in Venice, which you can book.

Festa delle Marie – Historical Parade

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, the Festa delle Marie will take place: a parade featuring twelve Venetian "Maries," dressed in rich historical costumes.

The route runs along the lagoon towards St. Mark's Square and is one of the most photogenic moments of the carnival.

4. Are there masked balls during Carnival? 

Ball Venice Italy Carnival Mask

Yes, and they are the most exclusive part of the Venice Carnival.

The Doge's Ball – February 14, 2026

The most famous ball is the Doge's Ball, held at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia.

  • Theme 2026: Carnival Couture
  • Tickets: approximately €2,500 – €5,000
  • Dress code: historical, strictly controlled

A good alternative: many balls sell after-dinner tickets (from approximately 11 p.m.). Perfect if you want to dance and watch without the full price tag – around €800. Check here to see if it's still available at Veniceevents.com.

Intriguing, isn't it? Planning on wearing a Carnival mask yourself? Or have you seen it and are curious? I looked it up for you, so you can prepare and tell others about it. Read all about the masks here >

Valentine-Venice

💘 Carnival & Valentine's Day – why February 14th is so special

In 2026, Valentine's Day falls right in the middle of Carnival. This makes Saturday, February 14th, the most romantic and busiest day of the season.

Besides Il Ballo del Doge, there are also:

Tickets for this day are often sold out.

➡️ Combine romantic Venice with Carnival? Venice for couples. My personal tip:

Romantic in a Gondola

Want something a little more exclusive?
Contact me. I know local gondoliers, restaurants, and concerts. They'll be happy to make it special for you.

Is Carnival in Venice worth it?
Short answer: yes, if you do it right.

✔️ Get to St. Mark's Square early in the day
✔️ Explore neighborhoods like Cannaregio and Dorsoduro in the evening
✔️ Combine regular events with spontaneous strolls
✔️ Expect crowds, but also magic

If you only follow the program, you'll miss half the action. You'll see the real Venice Italy Carnival between the events.

Practical tip from Venice-Informatoin.com:

Want to experience Venice Carnival without being overwhelmed?
Combine it with a fixed walking route so you don't wander aimlessly in the crowds.

👉 Check out my Venice Walking Guide (offline map & PDF)
Perfect during Carnival, even without internet access.

5. Venice Biennale, Venice Marathon, and Venice New Year's Eve

Venice Italy Carnival history

It's the wintry atmosphere of Venice during the winter. A wonderful experience to visit the city then.

There are also other events during the winter. For example, New Year's Eve in Venice. It takes place every year in Piazza San Marco in the heart of Venice. Here's the countdown.

And how about New Year's Eve? How lucky you are to be there on New Year's Eve. I was in Piazza San Marco myself on New Year's Eve.

There were no organized fireworks then due to Covid. But the square was filled with people, all watching the unique clock of the Torre dell'Orologio. At midnight, everyone is filled with joy and wishes themselves a Happy New Year.

Another important event is the Venice Biennale. An international art event during the summer and autumn months.

You can read the most important points about the Venice Biennale, art, and architecture on my page. The Biennale is an international event in Venice. It's an event showcasing art and architecture from around the world.

Venice Marathon? Cheers at the finish line! And my name and time were called. My wife was nowhere to be seen, a sip of water and a banana. I made it, sweating and full of pride.

My time was 1:11. That's way too long, but I stopped along the way and took pictures and sometimes ran extra slowly to enjoy it. I ran the last 10 kilometers of the Venice Marathon...!

" Visit the world-famous Venice Carnival! Book tickets now and participate in local events." 

Tickets Carnaval Events Venice

Venice Italy Carnival in Venice events

6. The Public Holidays in Venice Italy

Rudmer-2024

VENICE WALKING GUIDE PDF - Download A route straight through Venice.
Check my shop on Etsy. 

Stay in Venice Italy

Always handy to know! It would be best if you took notice of the public holidays in Venice. The vaporetto service has a different schedule, and some shops are closed. But, mostly, the museums are all open.

  • January 1: New Year's Day
  • January 6: Festival Epifania
  • April: Easter Monday
  • April 25: Liberty day and Saint Mark's Day
  • May 1: Labor Day
  • June 2: Republic Day
  • August 15: Assumption of the Virgin Mary ( Ferragosto )
  • November 1: All Saints day
  • December 8: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • December 25 and 26: Christmas and St. Stephen's Day
Search for more events during Venice Carnival


You've read about the Venice Carnival. There is plenty to explore as you see. Discover Venice on my site and get more information about this beautiful Italian city.

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Rudmer-2024

Hi! I’m Rudmer. As a passionate fan of Venice, I keep discovering this magical city with a smile. My motto? “Keep exploring!” ✨ With my experience, I help travelers and groups make their stay in Venice truly unforgettable.

Looking for unique Venice group tours and private experiences? Get in touch, and I can arrange for your group: I

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