Venice Carnival 2026

The world’s most decadent Carnival Ball!.

Venice Carnival is home to the largest and most famous Masked Ball. The Event has existed since the Middle Ages before becoming a pre-lenten Catholic festival. Carnival, or Carnevale as it is known locally, became an outlet for all things prohibited.

• Venice is a city that is full of opulence. Enjoy a uniquely Venetian experience with a stay at the Gritti Palace , a luxury hotel on the Grand Canal with stunning views.

Carnival Origins

• Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival) recreates when the Venetian Republic ruled the world’s trade routes and held an elite place in the world.
• The lavish parties, costumes, masks, food, music and spectacles evoke memories of the wealthy Venetian merchants of the past.
• The theme for 2026 is “Olympus – Alle origini del gioco” (ties into the Olympic year concept). The official 2026 edition leans into sport, myth, and the idea of “the game” – with big public moments staged across Piazza San Marco, the Grand Canal, and the Arsenale.

When is Venice Carnival

• Next Edition: Saturday 31st January 2026 – Tuesday 17th February 2026.
• Venice Carnival starts ten days before martedì Grasso (Shrove Tuesday). St Mark’s Square is the fulcrum of Carnival activities. Venice Carnival always finishes on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, the last allowed day when one can indulge in gluttony, excess and debauchery, before the 40 days of Lent will begin.
• Most visitors arrive on the final weekend of Carnival from Fat Thursday (Giovedì Grasso) until Shrove Tuesday (Martedì Grasso), when the best events occur.

Venice Carnival Events

• While Venice Carnival is famous for its elaborate (and expensive) Masquerade Carnival Balls, the city hosts several free shows and costumes at Piazza San Marco, open Museum Tours, Gondola parades along the grand canal and stunning light projection shows.
• Although Venice’s main Carnevale events are centred around the Piazza San Marco, don’t be afraid to explore beyond the centre. Events are held in every sestiere, or quarter, of Venice.

Where to stay during Venice Carnival

• Most of the main events take place at St.Mark’s Square. Stay close-by if you want to experience everything Carnival has to offer. Book your hotel early as this is one of the most popular locations in Venice.
• Consider the lovely 3 Star Hotel Santo Stefano, right on the square, with excellent amenities, unique Venetian decor and friendly hosts.
• The Palazza Pianca perfectly blends the old with the new, having reformed the property while maintaining the hotel’s unique character

Masks and costumes

• If you have not packed your costume in advance, you can rent some fantastic outfits from Ca’ del Sol . However, you will need to have this planned well in advance. Most start from EUR 200 per day and do not include a wig or a mask.
• Masks are an essential item for Venice Carnival. Avoid the cheap masks and go for a traditional handmade Venetian mask that will serve as a lasting memento of your visit. Usually made of leather or porcelain, many Venetian masks provide wearers with exaggerated features—a long, pointy nose or a rounded brow, for instance—meant to portray particular character traits or emotions while protecting the wearer’s identity.
• Benor Maschere Venezia – (No website – Calle Gallion, 1155, Venezia, Italy) Located in the Santa Croce neighbourhood. Stunning Hand made masks.
• Ca’ Macana – Artisan mask market in the Dorsoduro neighbourhood. Watch as skilled artisans create the masks using ancient methods.
• Mondonovo Maschere  – Mask markers to the stars and Hollywood celebrities.

Gran Ballo di Carnevale con Bridgerton (Opening night, Piazza San Marco)

• Saturday 31st January 2026, 17:00-20:30, Piazza San Marco. A major public opener created with Netflix – expect a packed square and heavy photo energy from early afternoon

Festa Veneziana – Corteo acqueo (water parade)

• Sunday 1st February 2026, 11:00-12:30, along the Grand Canal. (La Festa Veneziana sull’acqua) (Rio di Cannareggio) from 11 pm to 1 pm.
  The Grand Opening festival takes place on the canals and is colourful. Arrive at least one or two hours before the show commences to ensure you get a good vantage point along the canal to see the show.
  Boats will gather around 10:45 a.m. at Dogana da Mar in front of the church of Madonna della Salute, depart around 11:15 a.m., and arrive at Tre Archi Bridge in the Cannaregio Canal about 30 minutes later

Arsenale Water Show

• Runs Friday 6th February – Sunday 8th February 2026, then Thursday 12th February – Tuesday 17th February 2026.
  Two nightly showtimes: 18:45 and 21:00 at the Arsenale di Venezia.
• For an exceptional view of the Venice Carnival Water Parade, stay at the Locanda Leon Bianco Hotel, situated directly on the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio district, offering rooms with large windows that provide a front-row seat to the parade.

Flight of the Angel

• Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM in St. Mark’s Square 
• At noon above Piazza San Marco, the Flight of the Angel sees a costumed performer glide from the bell tower to the square below, drawing thousands of masked spectators for one of Carnival’s most photographed moments.
• The tradition dates back to the 16th century when a daring acrobat descended from the tower, evolving into a carefully staged aerial spectacle that signals the height of the festivities.
• Stay at the All’Angelo Art Hotel, Situated just a 2-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square, this 17th-century hotel places you at the heart of the action.

La Maschera più bella del Carnevale (Most Beautiful Mask)

• Next Edition: Heats take place across the Carnival period in Piazza San Marco, with the final on Sunday 15th February 2026 at 16:30.
• The search for the year’s best costume is the chance to strut your finery on the stage erected in St Mark’s square. From February, a day’s best and a festival finest competition run side-by-side, with twice-a-day heats. The grand finale for the festival best is not to be missed. Don’t just be a tourist! At least grab yourself an authentic mask (not one made in Asia). You can also rent spectacular costumes from many of the local boutiques.
• The Best Masked Costume Competition takes place daily at 11:00 am daily during the ten days of Carnival, and the daily winners will then participate in the final parade held on the last Sunday of Carnival. Anyone can take part, and it is entirely free to enter.
• Check out the top hotels close to Piazza San Marco with availability.

Festa delle Marie

• Rooted in a medieval legend honouring twelve Venetian brides, the Festa delle Marie traces a symbolic journey through Carnival, linking heritage, costume, and civic pride before culminating in the crowning of the Maria who represents the spirit and elegance of Venice.
• Saturday 31st January 2026 – Selection of the 12 Maries, Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista
  The Carnival begins with the elegant selection of the 12 Maries inside the historic Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista, reviving one of Venice’s oldest traditions.
  
• Monday 16th February 2026 – “Maria of the Year” at Teatro La Fenice
  Teatro La Fenice hosts the refined crowning of the “Maria of the Year,” blending costume, theatre, and centuries-old pageantry.
  
• Tuesday 17th February 2026 – Proclamation in Piazza San Marco
  The celebrations culminate in Piazza San Marco with the public proclamation of the winning Maria, closing Carnival in grand Venetian style.

Venice Carnival Pub Crawl

• Enjoy the best of Venice Carnival on a Costumed Pub Crawl., giro d’ombra as it’s known in Italian. It is a famous Venetian tradition as locals move from bacaro enjoying Cicchetti (Venetian tapas) and a small glass of wine while making new friends and enjoying the Carnival atmosphere. Evenings tend to be quieter during Venice Carnival, as most activities and parades occur during the day. The bar crawl is a great way to spend an evening out.
• Cicchetti, pronounced “chee-KET-eeh,” are small dishes, similar to Spanish tapas, sold individually and eaten with friends over a glass of wine. Cicchetti bars, or bacari, have a selection, and each bar will have its specialities. Cicchetti typically cost from €1 to a couple of euro apiece, and you can easily select a plate full and have a glass of wine for under €10.

Recommended Restaurants during Carnival

Avoid the tourist traps when dining in Venice, especially if you are greeted on the street by overzealous waiters brandishing menus with pictures of your potential meal!

• Osteria al Squero – A 3-min walk from the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the bar is very small and has only a few seats inside, so the majority of people sit outside on the bank of the canal. Serves delicious small dishes and an excellent wine list.
• All’Arco – Steps from the Rialto serving delicious cicchetti and prosciutto.
• Al Timon – Informal restaurant in a rustic space serving seafood, steak & pasta, plus wine & outdoor seating. Try and grab a table outside, along the Ormesini canal.
• Cà D’Oro alla – Over a century old, this cosy bacaro has covered with brass pans & a menu featuring meatballs & local wines.

Enjoy Frittelle

• Frittelle, or fritters, are similar to a fried doughnut. They are the traditional dish of Carnival appearing around the Epiphany (January 6) and disappearing just as Carnival ends. Many come with delicious fillings, including Rum and chocolate.

The Grand Balls

• Many of the hotels and venues will host elaborate masked balls. These events are pretty expensive and will be quite mixed.
• Topping the pile is the annual Gran Ballo della Cavalchina, a wild – and wildly expensive –extravaganza inside La Fenice opera house.

Getting Around Venice

• The city is approximately 3 miles wide with the major sights concentrated in the neighborhoods of San Polo, across the Grand Canal from the train station; Dorsoduro a little further south; and San Marco to Dorsoduro’s west, again across the Grand Canal. But don’t worry, everyone gets lost.
• It is almost impossible to get to your destination in a straight line as Venice is riddled with dead ends and twisted passageways.

Gay Venice & Venice Carnival

• Legend has it that gay and bisexual men  exploited a loophole in the city’s laws during the Carnival of Venice and enjoyed a hedonistic few weeks of revelry and rule-breaking. Carnival was a time when some laws were deemed void if the perpetrator was wearing a mask. Men would  don a catlike veil, known as the Gnaga mask, and dress up as women to sleep with other men, ostensibly incognito, and without facing prosecution.
• For nightlife, most gay visitors head off the island to Mestre, Venice’s mainland half, or nearby Padova/Padua (half an hour away) to party. Mestre is located 6 miles from Venice. Besides buses and trains (11 mins), there is also a tram service. It’s worth noting that Padova is also home to some of the loveliest wandering streets, gelato, and art in Italy.
• Two popular venues in Mestre include Trash & Chic, a popular gay-friendly pop-up party held at various times throughout the year, including Carnival. Sauna Metrò Venezia Club, is a gay sauna with dark room, sauna, maze, video room and cafe bar, located in Mestre.
• Skyline Rooftop Bar is a gay-friendly spot with superb the cocktails and panoramic city views in the heart of Venice.

Where to stay during Venice Carnival

The following hotels are all close to the main Carnival events and the city’s many attractions.

Pesaro Palace,    Hotel Abbazia,    Hotel Antico Doge,    UNA Hotel Venezia