Masks, wild costumes, confetti, fried frappe and castagnole – it's Carnival season, one of the most vibrant times of year in Italy. Though confetti litters the streets and kids don costumes across the country, the heart of the celebration is in magical Venice.
Every year, tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world descend on the floating city for three weeks of water parades and street-art performances. If you're lucky enough to be partaking in these spellbinding festivities, you can expect the traditional rites and rituals alongside some new additions in line with this year's extra special theme.
Keep reading for everything you can expect from the 2026 Venice Carnival.
What are the Venice Carnival 2026 dates?
The festival runs from January 31st to February 17th, though most events occur in the second half, from February 6th onwards.
This year's theme
This year's Carnival coincides with Italy hosting the Winter Olympics, and Venice is making the connection explicit. The 2026 theme "Olympus: the origins of play" celebrates how Venice's centuries-old Carnival traditions – human pyramids, canal regattas, competitions in the squares – link to the Olympic spirit.
The Olympic torch will pass through Venice on January 22nd en route to Milan, travelling down the Grand Canal aboard the historic Serenissima boat before the Carnival begins. It's the first time the festival has been part of the official Olympic Cultural Programme.
Main events
The full programme includes traditional events and new performances inspired by Olympic themes, particularly emphasizing its mythological roots.
The opening event features a Bridgerton-themed grand ball in St Mark's Square on January 31st, followed by the traditional water parade the next day.
New this year is "Echoes of Olympia", a theatrical production at the Arsenale telling an epic story of Olympic challenge through water performances running from February 6th-8th and 12th-17th.
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Traditional Carnevale events will enliven the piazze and calli as usual. The Festa delle Marie parade of young Venetian women in historical dress recreates a medieval tradition, departing from San Pietro in Castello on February 7th. The Flight of the Angel (Volo dell'Angelo) sees a costumed performer descend by cable from St Mark's Campanile to the square below on February 8th. The dramatic reenactment of the 'Cutting of the Bull's Head' takes place on February 12th in St Mark's Square. The Best Mask Contest closes the festival at St Mark's Square.
You have a few chances to catch perhaps the most beloved Venetian Carnevale ritual: the parades of larger-than-life caricatures. The main one will take place at the Venice Lido on Friday, February 13th.
Masquerade balls take place in Venetian palaces throughout the festival. An official dinner show will be held at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi – a 15th-century palace overlooking the Grand Canal – and will be available to the public on eight dates. Attendance requires a masked, historical costume. Tickets, ranging from €600 to €800 depending on the day of the week, are still available as of writing.
Most of the elaborate costumes you'll see are made by amateur enthusiasts who spend months creating them. You won't see many people in full costume before February 7th.
READ ALSO: Beyond Venice: 16 other carnivals in Italy
Activities and exhibits are ongoing throughout the days to fill the gaps between the big events, such as Venetian mask-making workshops, theater productions, lectures and cinema showings. Some of these events, such as the workshops, require booking in advance, which you can do on the official Venice Carnival website.
By night, there will be concerts, discos and DJ sets, most notably at the Perplex Carnival Party on Saturday, February 7th.
Many street events and the Best Mask Contest are free. Check the official Venice Carnival website for confirmed schedules and more details of events.
READ ALSO: Wine, masks and debauchery: How did Italy’s Carnival tradition begin?
How busy will it be?
The six days between giovedì grasso (Fat Thursday) and martedì grasso (Shrove Tuesday) are traditionally the busiest – this year, that's February 8th to 13th.
The city sees around one million visitors over the course of Carnival, with daily crowds peaking at 150,000 on the final weekend.
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St Mark's Square is the main hub and will be most crowded. Other squares – Campo Margherita, Campo Santo Stefano, Campo Santa Maria Formosa – host street theatre and performances throughout the festival. Events also take place on Burano and other lagoon islands.
Helpful info for visiting
In terms of food, follow your nose to any pasticceria whipping up iconic Carnevale treats – all varieties of deep-fried treats covered in sugar. The unofficial food of Carnevale is the Venetian fritters (fritoe venexiane), in addition to fried dough balls called castagnole, and crispy galani (also called chiacchiere or crostoli).
READ ALSO: Chiacchiere, castagnole, graffe: Six of Italy’s most popular carnival sweets
Venice's €5 day-tripper entry fee will not be in effect during the Carnival season.
Local transport operator ACTV adds services during Carnival, but water buses and buses will be busier than usual.
READ ALSO: Water buses, ferries and taxis: How to use Venice’s public transport
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