The Best Carnival Events In Venice of Hotel Tintoretto in Venice. Official Website.
The best Carnival events in Venice
Carnival 2026
The Venice Carnival 2026, scheduled from 31 January to 17 February, celebrates the Olympic year with a theme that weaves together history, art, and sport, in a tribute to the universal power of play and challenge.
31 January 2026
Distributed art returns to the Venice Carnival with the Venice Carnival Street Show, which includes various performances in Venetian squares, in the center of Mestre, on the islands of the lagoon, and in municipal centers.
The Carnival Street Show begins on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February 2026, with a preview in St. Mark’s Square. The Carnival Street Show will intensify on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February, and during Fat Week, from Thursday 12 to Tuesday 17 February 2026.
The selection of the 12 Maries will take place on 31 January at 3:00 p.m. at the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista.
Proclamation of the Maries
The magical adventure of the Festa delle Marie will have its main event with the Proclamation of the Maries of the Venice Carnival 2026 on Tuesday 17 February.
1 February 2026
The long-awaited water parade of traditional boats along the Grand Canal returns, organized in collaboration with the Coordination of Venetian Rowing Associations, and led by the legendary papier- mâché “Pantegana.”
The Venice Carnival 2026 begins on the water with the Festa Veneziana. On Sunday 1 February 2026, amid colored smoke, balloons, and confetti, around one hundred rowing boats decorated with vibrant colors, led by masked rowers, will gather at Punta della Dogana around 11:00 a.m. to reach the Rialto area.
After navigating the most beautiful waterway in the world, a colorful choreography will envelop the Rialto Bridge before the great celebration in Erbaria.
Arsenale Show
The show will be presented from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 February 2026, and subsequently from Thursday 12 to Tuesday 17 February 2026.
Two performances: at 6:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
The Grande Darsena of the Venice Arsenale is transformed into an open-air theater to host “The Call of Olympia,” the original water show of the Venice Carnival. A show that merges epic storytelling, magic, and spectacle, narrating a journey of challenge, dream, and self-determination.
The protagonist is a Venetian fisherman who, from the sea, dreams of the immortality of the gods. Five trials await him: challenges among continents, elements, and senses, guided by the voice of Olympia, the muse who embodies strength, determination, and courage.
An intense and captivating story, which enchants the audience with visual arts, spectacular performances, and special effects, transforming the Grande Darsena into a Total Theater on water, where the pursuit of victory becomes a symbol of universal harmony.
Olympic Games
The program is dedicated to the sporting challenge. At Ca’ Giustinian, workshops will be held with Olympic and Paralympic athletes from the Olympic Museum.
The 17th International Children’s Carnival of the Venice Biennale will take place from Saturday 7 to Sunday 15 February 2026 at Ca’ Giustinian, headquarters of the Biennale. For the occasion, the Carnival will be transformed into the House of Creativity and, in this edition, will focus on sporting challenge and tradition.
The program is aimed at schools, families, and the general public. All activities are free of charge and booking is required. February.
CARNIVAL IN BURANO
Three days of great Carnival celebration in Burano. Magic shows for children, music in the square, floats, and mask parades along Via Galuppi, with a final awards ceremony.
Fat Thursday
3:30 p.m. – Music in the square and children’s show
Fat Saturday
3:00 p.m. – Music in the square
8:45 p.m. – First float parade and mask parade along Via Galuppi
9:00 p.m. – Music
Fat Sunday
3:30 p.m. – Second float and mask parade in Piazza Galuppi
3:30 p.m. – Music in the square
8:45 p.m. – Awards ceremony for floats and masks
9:00 p.m. – Music
Fat Tuesday
3:30 p.m. – Music in the square and children’s show
8:45 p.m. – Third float parade and mask parade along Via Galuppi
9:00 p.m. – Music in the square
11:30 p.m. – End of the Carnival, see you in 2027!
LIDO OF VENICE
An afternoon of entertainment with activities, markets, music, and shows at the Lido of Venice.
A parade of floats and masked figures will conclude along Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta starting at 5:00 p.m.
At the end, prizes will be awarded to the most beautiful and colorful floats on the stage in Piazzetta Lepanto.
The markets, organized by Pro Loco Lido di Venezia–Pellestrina, will take place in Piazzale Santa Maria Elisabetta.
The Venice Carnival 2026, scheduled from 31 January to 17 February, celebrates the Olympic year with a theme that weaves together history, art, and sport, in a tribute to the universal power of play and challenge.
31 January 2026
Distributed art returns to the Venice Carnival with the Venice Carnival Street Show, which includes various performances in Venetian squares, in the center of Mestre, on the islands of the lagoon, and in municipal centers.
The Carnival Street Show begins on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February 2026, with a preview in St. Mark’s Square. The Carnival Street Show will intensify on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February, and during Fat Week, from Thursday 12 to Tuesday 17 February 2026.
The selection of the 12 Maries will take place on 31 January at 3:00 p.m. at the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista.
Proclamation of the Maries
The magical adventure of the Festa delle Marie will have its main event with the Proclamation of the Maries of the Venice Carnival 2026 on Tuesday 17 February.
1 February 2026
The long-awaited water parade of traditional boats along the Grand Canal returns, organized in collaboration with the Coordination of Venetian Rowing Associations, and led by the legendary papier- mâché “Pantegana.”
The Venice Carnival 2026 begins on the water with the Festa Veneziana. On Sunday 1 February 2026, amid colored smoke, balloons, and confetti, around one hundred rowing boats decorated with vibrant colors, led by masked rowers, will gather at Punta della Dogana around 11:00 a.m. to reach the Rialto area.
After navigating the most beautiful waterway in the world, a colorful choreography will envelop the Rialto Bridge before the great celebration in Erbaria.
Arsenale Show
The show will be presented from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 February 2026, and subsequently from Thursday 12 to Tuesday 17 February 2026.
Two performances: at 6:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
The Grande Darsena of the Venice Arsenale is transformed into an open-air theater to host “The Call of Olympia,” the original water show of the Venice Carnival. A show that merges epic storytelling, magic, and spectacle, narrating a journey of challenge, dream, and self-determination.
The protagonist is a Venetian fisherman who, from the sea, dreams of the immortality of the gods. Five trials await him: challenges among continents, elements, and senses, guided by the voice of Olympia, the muse who embodies strength, determination, and courage.
An intense and captivating story, which enchants the audience with visual arts, spectacular performances, and special effects, transforming the Grande Darsena into a Total Theater on water, where the pursuit of victory becomes a symbol of universal harmony.
Olympic Games
The program is dedicated to the sporting challenge. At Ca’ Giustinian, workshops will be held with Olympic and Paralympic athletes from the Olympic Museum.
The 17th International Children’s Carnival of the Venice Biennale will take place from Saturday 7 to Sunday 15 February 2026 at Ca’ Giustinian, headquarters of the Biennale. For the occasion, the Carnival will be transformed into the House of Creativity and, in this edition, will focus on sporting challenge and tradition.
The program is aimed at schools, families, and the general public. All activities are free of charge and booking is required. February.
CARNIVAL IN BURANO
Three days of great Carnival celebration in Burano. Magic shows for children, music in the square, floats, and mask parades along Via Galuppi, with a final awards ceremony.
Fat Thursday
3:30 p.m. – Music in the square and children’s show
Fat Saturday
3:00 p.m. – Music in the square
8:45 p.m. – First float parade and mask parade along Via Galuppi
9:00 p.m. – Music
Fat Sunday
3:30 p.m. – Second float and mask parade in Piazza Galuppi
3:30 p.m. – Music in the square
8:45 p.m. – Awards ceremony for floats and masks
9:00 p.m. – Music
Fat Tuesday
3:30 p.m. – Music in the square and children’s show
8:45 p.m. – Third float parade and mask parade along Via Galuppi
9:00 p.m. – Music in the square
11:30 p.m. – End of the Carnival, see you in 2027!
LIDO OF VENICE
An afternoon of entertainment with activities, markets, music, and shows at the Lido of Venice.
A parade of floats and masked figures will conclude along Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta starting at 5:00 p.m.
At the end, prizes will be awarded to the most beautiful and colorful floats on the stage in Piazzetta Lepanto.
The markets, organized by Pro Loco Lido di Venezia–Pellestrina, will take place in Piazzale Santa Maria Elisabetta.