Carnival in Venice is joy, seduction, licence, transgression... in a word: freedom. From the city's calli to St. Mark's Square to the majestic palaces overlooking the Grand Canal, the whole city is in celebration, involving visitors in a unique experience.
Every year, the Carnival includes a series of public events such as the Festa delle Marie (Feast of the Maries), the Venetian Feast on Water, the Arsenale Water Show and the Carnival floats parade.
This programme is enriched by the entertaining and numerous private events. The masked parties and balls that have made our city famous throughout the world and which we will deal with on this page.
So what are the Venice Carnival events? What is there to know and how can one participate? Let's see it now! Here are the exclusive events for Venice Carnival 2026: parties in historic palaces and masked balls!
Venice fancy balls tickets and open-air public events
The public events of the Venice Carnival are free of charge, but given the massive influx of people, the city has taken restrictive measures for access. In particular for St Mark's Square. If you go to these events, the advice is to move to your destination in advance.
Venice fancy balls tickets: private events have an entrance fee, which includes various services; from dinner to clothes rental, private transfers and more. Check what is included and book as early as possible, tickets sell out quickly.
Places for Carnival events are limited and bookings are made months in advance!
Saturday 31st January to Friday 13th February 2026.
Saturday 14th February to Tuesday 17th February 2026.
PARTIES AT VENETIAN PALACES
Rent a costume and attend a masked ball at the palace. You can choose from many parties that will let you experience the seductive and fun atmosphere of Venice in the past.
CARNIVAL HOLIDAYS
Would you like to join us in Venice to experience the carnival as a protagonist? Tours, workshops and palace parties await you; and you can also ask us for accommodation. We will send you a tailor-made proposal.
COSTUMES AND MASKS
A fun way to experience the Venice Carnival is to stroll through the calli among the costumed people and learn how to create your own mask in a craft workshop.
Carnival Venice 2026
The Carnival dates change every year, as it depends on the date of Easter according to the religious calendar. The last day is therefore always Shrove Tuesday (Pancake day) the day before Ash Wednesday.
The theme of the next edition will be revealed on on the official Venice Carnival Website! Stay tuned!
The new edition of Venice Carnival will take place from Saturday 31st January to Tuesday 17th February.
Venice Carnival events
For 2 weeks, Venice will be dancing to the rhythm of its world famous Carnival!
Usually, during the Carnival period, the most beautiful costumes parade each day on the stage set up in St. Mark's Square until the grand finale of the competition.
Here are the traditional Venice Carnival events that have become real shows to see live at least once in a lifetime. Discover below the list of the can't miss events:
- Grand Opening "Floating Parade" on the water.
- Procession and "Festa delle Marie" (Feast of the Marys).
- Arsenale Water Show.
- Giovedì Grasso (Shrove Thursday).
- Carnival floats parade.
- Shrove Tuesday - appointment in St. Mark’s Square with the Grande finale of the most beautiful mask contest.
During the Venice Carnival, there are many events taking place and many of them also take place outside the city centre.
Those who stop in Mestre can see a lot of interesting things: shows and concerts by musicians, performances by acrobats and street actors. All this takes place in Piazza Ferretto, where the Mestre Carnival Street Show is held.
But also on the Lagoon Islands there are events planned for the Venice Carnival, such as the Burano Carnival.
Italy Venice Carnival tours
Among the many experiences to be had this festive season, we also recommend a Venice Carnival tour. You can choose from several tours and many dates.
This time of year is perfect for getting to know and get in touch with the soul of the city and the spirit of the Venetians who live there. Carnival has always played an important part in the history and life of our city.
You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the enchanting and magical atmosphere of one of the oldest and most celebrated festivals in the world.
Venice Carnival 2026 theme parties
Discover the unique atmosphere of a Venetian masked ball to celebrate Carnival! As a rule, this is a themed evening and to participate you will have to follow the dress code announced at the time of booking.
Venice masked balls organized in Venetian palaces normally require historical costumes and Venetian masks, which can be included or not in your ticket. The program includes various artistic performances, cocktails, dinner and finally an "after dinner party" with music.
These events are highly sought after and often sell out months before the event.
Venetian costumes are those that are seen parading during the Carnival in St. Mark's Square and of which visitors take thousands of photos. These costumes are easily rented in Venice, but you have to organize yourself in advance. They are very popular for Carnival events and if you arrive too late, choice will be really reduced.
Even if you are not attending a fancy dress party, we recommend you rent a historical costume and walk through the calli of Venice during Carnival; it is a truly unique experience!
We present here some of the masked balls of the Venice Carnival 2026 edition!
Venice Carnival Theme Party: Venetian Reflections
Enter the strange world of the Venice Carnival, where the border between dream and reality is difficult to distinguish. We invite you to attend a special evening for the occasion! "Venice Carnival theme party "Venetian Reflections" will not disappoint its guests, with a very special program including an open bar lounge after dinner. Check out the evening's program now.
When: 2026 edition not yet available
Location: Palazzo Labia
Dress code: period costume compulsory.
From: € 1,200 per person
After-dinner entrance: in period costume from € 195 per person
Carnival Extravaganza
Fulfill your dream of immersing yourself in the past and participating in a magical and unforgettable ball - Carnival Extravaganza dedicated to Giacomo Casanova returns!
Celebrate this exclusive carnival ball in the halls of the Ridotto of the Hotel Monaco, the beating heart of 18th-century Carnival festivities.
Experience a Venetian fantasy fairy tale. In this party each guest will be the absolute protagonist by dressing up in the costume they most resemble for a night of fun!
When: Saturday 7th February and Friday 13th February
Location: Ridotto of the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal
Dress Code: period costume mandatory
From € 590 per person
Minuetto Venice Ball
Two parties and four dates to choose from: Venice Minuetto Ball, and Minuetto Ball 1800.
Enjoy a dinner and a dance party on the dance steps of the European courts of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Under the guidance of dance masters, in the charming halls of the Ridotto of the Hotel Monaco, you will relive the atmosphere of a noble past.
When: Sunday 8th, Thursday 12th, Sunday 15th and Monday 16th February
Location: Ridotto of the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal
Dress Code: period costume compulsory
From € 750 per person
Carnival Party Masked Ball
An afternoon of magic and fun in the most authentic atmosphere of a Carnival party in Venice.
The historic rooms of the Ridotto of the Hotel Monaco open their doors to a ball in historic Venetian costumes. Let the dancing masters and orchestra guide you through the period dances and the atmosphere of a bygone era.
When: Saturday 31st January 2026
Location: Ridotto of the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal
Dress Code: period costume mandatory
From € 620 per person
Choose your masquerade party from all the private events of the Venice Carnival
- All experiences
- Friday 13th February
- Saturday 14th February
- Saturday 31st January
- Saturday 7th February
- Sunday 15th February
- Sunday 8th February
- Thursday 12th February
- Accessible with public transport
- Child Friendly
- Accessible with public transport
- Accessible with public transport
- Accessible with public transport
- Accessible with public transport
- Child Friendly
- Accessible with public transport
- Child Friendly
- Accessible with public transport
- Accessible with public transport
- Accessible to persons with reduced mobility
- Accessible with public transport
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If you need any more information about the Carnival of Venice and its program for 2025 edition, please do not hesitate and get in touch today! Our team will be pleased to assist you with your queries.
Would you like more ideas to organize your Venice Carnival 2025? Discover more about it.
- Venice masquerade ball.
- Venice masked ball.
- Venice Carnival costumes.
- Venice Carnival masks.
- Venice Carnival background.
- Venice Carnival packages.