Venice Carnival 2025 program info and schedule? You're in the right place. In this guide we report everything: dates, times, locations, and party type.
Hey travelers, if you're planning a trip to Venice during one of the most iconic events in the world, you're exactly where you need to be. Here you’ll find the complete program Venice Carnival 2026 and schedule time, with dates, times, locations, and in-depth explanations so you truly understand what you’re about to experience (not just masks and confetti, but centuries of history, living theater, and lagoon traditions).
Discover everything in this guide by Venice Insider Guide and start planning your trip using the full program Venice Carnival 2026 schedule time.
The article divides into two:
- in the first part of the full program Venice Carnival 2026;
- in the second part we delve into the Venice Carnival 2026 schedules time of all events.
What are the dates for Carnival in Venice in 2026?
The Carnival of Venice 2026 officially runs from Saturday, January 31 to Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (Mardi Gras).
That means more than two weeks of events spread across St. Mark’s Square, the Arsenale, historic theaters, lagoon islands, and even Mestre. The calendar blends large-scale shows, historic water parades, exclusive masked balls, and cultural activities connected to traditional Venetian craftsmanship (yes, real masks are still handmade).
Program Venice Carnival 2026
The program Venice Carnival 2026 combines centuries-old traditions with contemporary spectacle. Venice turns into a citywide stage where narrow streets, squares, and palaces become open-air theatrical sets.
Here are the must-see events to mark in your agenda.
1. Venice Carnival Street Show 2026
The Venice Carnival Street Show brings the city to life from day one, starting Saturday, January 31, 2026, with street performances, artistic acts, and creative workshops.
Main dates: January 31 – February 17, 2026
Locations: Historic Venice, Mestre (M9 Museum, Piazza Ferretto), artisan workshops like Ca’ Macana and La Corte dei Miracoli
Here you’ll find:
- Live performances in public squares
- Traditional Venetian mask decoration workshops (a hands-on experience with real artisans)
- Cultural events hosted by museums and foundations
(This is the most accessible and widespread part of Carnival, ideal if you want atmosphere without exclusive tickets.)
2. Arsenale Water Show 2026
One of the highlights of the entire Venice Carnival 2026 schedule.
Event: Arsenale Water Show 2026 – The Call of Olympia
Dates: February 6, 7, 12,17, 2026
Showtimes: 6:45 PM and 9:00 PM
Location: Venice Arsenale – Darsena Grande
A nighttime water show with lights, music, special effects, and floating stage designs. The Arsenale, once the shipbuilding heart of the Venetian Republic, transforms into a dramatic aquatic theater. This is a ticketed event and one of the most visually spectacular experiences of Carnival.
3. Official Dinner Show 2026
The most elegant and theatrical side of Carnival.
Event: Official Dinner Show 2026 – The Song of Ambrosia
Main dates: February 7, 8, 12, 17
Time: 9:00 PM
Location: Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, a historic palace on the Grand Canal (now home to the Venice Casino)
A gala dinner in costume featuring live performances, music, and immersive theatrical settings. Strict dress code: mask required, with elegant attire or historical costume.
4. Festa Veneziana – Water Parade of the Carnival 2026
The official opening on the water.
Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Venetian canals
A parade of traditional Venetian boats officially opens Carnival, with rowers in costume and richly decorated vessels. This symbolic event connects the celebration to Venice’s deep maritime heritage.
5. Festa delle Marie 2026
One of the oldest historical reenactments of the Carnival.
Selection of the 12 “Marie”:
January 31, 2026 – 3:00 PM
Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista
Festa delle Marie Water Parade:
February 7, 2026 – 3:00 PM
Water parade through Venice
The final of Festa delle Marie is February 16 & 17.
This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages and blends legend, beauty, and Venetian popular history.
6. Parade – The Most Beautiful Mask of the Carnival 2026
The most photographed competition of the festival.
Main dates:
January 31, and February 1, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
Location: St. Mark’s Square
Participants in elaborate costumes walk the stage before the public and a jury. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and the enduring art of the Venetian mask.
Full program Venice Carnival 2026
The full program Venice Carnival 2026 begins with an intense opening weekend.
Saturday, January 31, 2026 features street shows, mask workshops, cultural events at M9 Museum, performances in St. Mark’s Square, and the selection of the 12 Marie.
Sunday, February 1, 2026 includes the Water Parade, stage performances, theater, music, and parades both in Venice and on the mainland.
From February 2 to 5, the focus shifts to artisan workshops, exhibitions, cultural events, and smaller performances across the city.
From February 6 onward, major evening productions begin at the Arsenale.
The weekend of February 7–8 brings the Festa delle Marie, costume parades, regattas, and performances in historic theaters like La Fenice.
The final week builds toward the grand finale on Mardi Gras, February 17, 2026, with major parades, stage shows, and evening gala events.
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Carnival officially begins with a packed opening day, where tradition, craftsmanship, and live entertainment come together from the very morning.
At 10:00 AM, the M9 Museum in Mestre hosts “Beyond Limits. Sport Italy”, while in Venice, the Ca’ Macana artisan workshop opens its mask decoration laboratories.
From 11:00 AM, the stage in Piazza San Marco comes alive. At the same time, additional mask-decorating workshops take place at La Corte dei Miracoli.
At 12:00 PM, flavors take center stage with Carnevale del Gusto 2026, a food and wine journey where Carnival meets culinary tradition. At 1:00 PM, “Double Illusion / Doppia Illusione” is performed.
In the afternoon, at 3:00 PM, the selection of the twelve Marie of the 2026 Venice Carnival is held at the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista, reviving one of the city’s oldest Carnival traditions. Meanwhile, “Eisfeld II – Enjoy / Survive” is presented at Palazzo Diedo Beggruen Institute.
At 3:30 PM, Piazza Ferretto in Mestre hosts the parade for the most beautiful child mask. From 5:00 PM, cultural events multiply: at M9, a talk explores sport and mythology in 20th-century art, while at Fabbrica del Vedere the focus is on 19th-century Venice through athletes and workers. Also at 5:00 PM, Piazza San Marco hosts the Grand Carnival Ball inspired by Bridgerton.
The late afternoon continues with “Venice, a Life in a Mask” at Ca’ Macana (5:30 PM) and concludes at 7:00 PM with the performance “Rosaspina e La Casa della Sveglia” at Spazio eventi La Toletta.
Sunday, February 1, 2026
A day that blends water, tradition, and entertainment.
At 10:00 AM, both the exhibition “Beyond Limits. Sport Italy” at M9 and the mask workshops at Ca’ Macana continue.
At 11:00 AM, the Venetian Festival – Water Parade of Carnival 2026 officially opens the celebrations on the water with traditional boats. At the same time: shows on the Piazza San Marco stage, talks on the history and art of masks at Tragicomica, an exhibition focus on temporary architectural installations at Fondazione Querini Stampalia, and more workshops at La Corte dei Miracoli.
At noon, Carnevale del Gusto returns, followed at 1:00 PM by Double Illusion. The afternoon includes an allegorical float parade in Dese (2:30 PM), cultural and theatrical performances, the opera Simon Boccanegra at La Fenice (3:30 PM), and the parade for the most beautiful child mask in Mestre. The day continues with family theater, cultural talks, and mask-related activities.
From Monday, February 2 to Thursday, February 5
Weekdays focus especially on the artisanal and cultural soul of Carnival. Mask decoration workshops continue at Ca’ Macana and La Corte dei Miracoli, alongside talks on mask history at Tragicomica, the food events of Carnevale del Gusto, and performances of Double Illusion.
Exhibitions and lectures are also featured, including insights into sport, history, and Venetian traditions at M9, Fabbrica del Vedere, and other cultural venues. Guided tours, musical events, and themed talks dedicated to games, sport, and history are also scheduled.
Friday, February 6
The atmosphere becomes more vibrant. Shows and performances return to Piazza San Marco, while at the Arsenale – Darsena Grande one of the most anticipated events debuts: the Arsenale Water Show 2026 – “The Call of Olympia”, scheduled at 6:45 PM and 9:00 PM.
The evening also includes exhibitions, film concerts at Palazzetto Bru Zane, and theater at the Toniolo in Mestre.
Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8
Two central and extremely full days. The parade to crown the most beautiful mask returns to Piazza San Marco, along with widespread performances from the Venice Carnival Street Show and the water procession of the Festa delle Marie.
Evening events continue at the Arsenale with the Water Show, official dinner shows at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, and major late-night parties. On Sunday, highlights also include the Regata de Carneval su Mascarete, allegorical float parades on the mainland, and opera at La Fenice.
February 9–11
Carnival continues with performances in Piazza San Marco, opera at La Fenice, cultural meetings about masks, and theatrical productions in historic venues across the city.
Thursday, February 12
One of the most spectacular days: the parade for the most beautiful mask returns, along with events in Burano and Rialto and the dramatic ritual of the Cutting of the Bull’s Head in Piazza San Marco. In the evening, the Water Show at the Arsenale and the official Dinner Show take place again.
Weekend of February 13–15
A festive long-weekend atmosphere with events in Burano, allegorical float parades, theater in Venice’s major venues, large evening celebrations at Forte Marghera, and the unmissable Arsenale Water Show. On February 14, Valentine’s Day, Carnival is celebrated in masks with international parades and gala evenings.
Monday, February 16
The eve of the grand finale features parades, celebrations of traditional Carnival customs in Piazza San Marco, and the last evening performances of the Water Show and Dinner Show.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – Shrove Tuesday
Carnival closes with a grand final day: the parade for the most beautiful mask returns, along with the water procession of the Marie dei Nicoloti, events in Burano, and the final performances of the Arsenale Water Show and the official Dinner Show.
Venice Carnival 2026 schedule time
Key recurring time slots in the Venice Carnival 2026 schedule time:
- Morning (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Mask workshops, exhibitions, cultural activities
- Late morning to afternoon (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM): Daytime performances and shows in St. Mark’s Square
- Afternoon (3:00 PM – 5:30 PM): Historical parades and traditional events
- Evening (6:45 PM & 9:00 PM): Arsenale Water Show
- Night (9:00 PM): Official Dinner Show and theater performances
Saturday 31 January 2026
The first day of the Carnival kicks off with a packed out calendar that brings together culture, craft workshops and live shows.
Venice Carnival Street Show - Saturday 31 January 2026
10:00 am - Going Beyond The Limits - Sport Italia
Museo M9 di Mestre
10:00 am - Decorating Your Venice Masks Lab
Ca’ Macana's crafts workshop, Venice
11:00 am - San Marco Stage
Piazza San Marco, Venice
11:00 am - Decorating Your Venice Masks Lab - La Corte dei Miracoli
La Corte dei Miracoli, Venice
12:00 am - 2026 Taste of the Carnival
Venezia, Venice
A culinary journey that brings the Carnival and traditional tastes together.
1:00 pm - Double illusion / Doppia illusione
Venezia, Venice
3:00 pm - The Selection of the 12 Carnival Queens of Venice 2026
Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista, Venice
A symbolic step that recalls one of the Carnival of Venice's oldest traditions.
3:00 pm - Eisfeld II - Enjoy / Survive
Palazzo Diedo Beggruen Institute, Venice
3:30 pm - The Most Beautiful Mascherina of Piazza Ferretto
Piazza Ferretto, Mestre
5:00 pm - What it Takes to be an Olympic Athlete! The Art of the 20th Century
Museo M9 di Mestre
5:00 pm - Workers, sailors, athletes, in 19th century Venice waiting for the Olympics...
Fabbrica del Vedere – Carlo Montanaro Archives, Venice
5:00 pm - The Big Carnival Dance with Bridgerton
Piazza San Marco, Venice
5:30 pm - Living Life in a Mask - A Venice Story
Ca’ Macana's crafts workshop, Venice
7:00 pm - Rosaspina and The House That Wakes Up
La Toletta Event Space, Venice
Sunday 1st February 2026
A day that brings together water, spectacle and tradition.
Venice Carnival Street Show - Sunday 1st February 2026
10:00 am - Going Beyond The Limits - Sport Italia
Museo M9 di Mestre (same same)
10:00 am - Decorating Your Venice Masks Lab
Ca’ Macana (same same)
11:00 am - The Venice Festival - River Float Parade of the Carnival 2026
Venice, Venice
The traditional gondolas officially open the Carnival on the water.
11:00 am - San Marco Stage
Piazza San Marco (same same)
11:00 am - The Mask in Venice: creation, history and beauty
Tragicomica, Venice
11:00 - Temporary Architecture: The Installations of Valeriano Pastor and Michelina Michelotto
Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Venice
11:00 am - Decorating Your Venice Masks Lab - La Corte dei Miracoli ( same event written twice)
La Corte dei Miracoli, Venice
12:00 am - Taste of the Carnival 2026
1:00 pm - Double illusion / Doppia illusione (same same)
2:30 pm - Float Parade of Allegorical Floats in Dese
3:00 pm - Eisfeld II - Enjoy / Survive (same same)
3:00 pm - The Curtain Rises
Fondazione Querini Stampalia (same same)
3:30 pm - Simon Boccanegra
Gran Teatro La Fenice
3:30 pm - The Most Beautiful Mascherina of Piazza Ferretto (same same)
4:30 pm - The Happy Bear
Teatro del Parco Bissuola, Mestre
5:00 pm - Workers, sailors, athletes...
Fabbrica del Vedere (same same)
5:30 pm - Living Life in a Mask - A Venice Story
Ca’ Macana (same same)
Monday 2nd February 2026Ideal Day for Mask-making Enthusiasts
10:00 am - "The Art of Mask Making" - Labour for the Great Venetian Masks
Ca' Macana
11:00 am - Masks at Venice: creation, practice, history and ornament
Tragicomica
11:00 am - "Crafting the Great Venetian Masks" at La Corte dei Miracoli
12:00 am - Carnevale del Gusto 2026
1:00 pm - Double illusion / Doppia illusione
Tuesday 3 february 2026
10:00 am - "The Art of Mask Making" - Labour for the Great Venetian Masks
Ca' Macana
11:00 am - "Crafting the Great Venetian Masks" at La Corte dei Miracoli
12:00 am - Carnevale del Gusto 2026
1:00 pm - Double illusion / Doppia illusione
5:00 pm - Athletes, workers, sailors, soldiers & the like...
Fabbrica del Vedere
6:00 pm - Masked Food
Palazzetto Bru Zane
Wednesday 4 february 2026
10:00 am - "Beneath the surface. Sports Italy"
Museo M9
10:00 am - "The Art of Mask Making" - Labour for the Great Venetian Masks
Ca' Macana
11:00 am - "Crafting the Great Venetian Masks" at La Corte dei Miracoli
12:00 am - Carnevale del Gusto 2026
1:00 pm - Double illusion / Doppia illusione
5:00 pm - Athletes, workers, sailors, soldiers & the like...
6:00 pm - ἀγών – agón | History of sport in Venice
La Casa di The Human Safety Net
Thursday 5 february 2026
10:00 am- "Beneath the surface. Sports Italy"
Museo M9
10:00 am - "The Art of Mask Making" - Labour for the Great Venetian Masks
11:00 am - "Masks at Venice..."
Tragicomica
11:00 am - "Crafting the Great Venetian Masks" at La Corte dei Miracoli
12:00 am - Carnevale del Gusto 2026
1:00 pm - Double illusion / Doppia illusione
3:30 pm - Visit the Palazzetto Bru Zane with a guide
5:00 pm - Athletes, workers, sailors, soldiers & the like...
6:00 pm - The Goddess of the game
Centro Culturale Candiani
Friday 6 february 2026
Things are heating up.
Back in Piazza San Marco, you'll find the big stage and performances, while at the Arsenale Darsena Grande one of the most awaited shows debuts:
- 6:45 & 9:00 am - Arsenale Water Show 2026 - The Call of Olympia
Other events:
- 3:00 pm - Eisfeld II, Palazzo Diedo
- 7:30 pm - Concerts in Palazzetto Bru Zane
- 9:00 pm - Riccardo III, Teatro Toniolo Mestre
Saturday 7 february 2026
A big Carnevale day.
- Mask-making contest, Piazza San Marco
- Venice Carnival Street Show
- 3:00 pm - The Festival of the Marie – The waters parade
- 5:00 pm - Venice in Play, Ca' Macana
- 6:45 & 9:00 pm - Arsenale Water Show
- 9:00 pm - Official Dinner Show 2026 – The Song of Ambrosia, Ca' Vendramin Calergi
- 10:30 pm - Perplex Carnival Party, Arsenale Carnival Experience
Sunday 8 february 2026
A rich day:
- 9:30 am - Carnival Regatta with mascarete, Ca' Giustinian
- 11:00 am - Stage Piazza San Marco
- 3:00 pm- Allegorical Carriages in Chirignago
- 7:00 pm- La Traviata, La Fenice
- 6:45 & 9:00 pm - Arsenale Water Show
Monday 9 february 2026
- Venice Carnival Street Show, Piazza San Marco
- 15:00 pm- Something on the stage in Piazza San Marco
Tuesday 10th of February 2026
- 15:00 pm- Something on the stage in Piazza San Marco
- 7 pm- Simon Boccanegra, La Fenice - That's quite a night out ahead of you
- 6:30pm - Tutto quello che avreste voluto sapere sulla maschera..., Tragicomica - a strange and mysterious evening
Wednesday 11th of February 2026
You've got a big day ahead of you with:
- 12:00 am - Seven Songs for Casanova, Teatro a l'Avogaria - this might be a bit of a wild ride
- 6:00 pm - The Player of Biribissi, Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista - sounds like a real challenge
- 7 pm- La Traviata, La Fenice - Opera, another night
Thursday 12th of February 2026
One of those days that's just chock-full of things to see and do:
- The Mask Parade, Piazza San Marco - you can't miss this one
- 3 pm - Carnevale di Burano 2026 - take a little trip to Burano while you're here
- 4 pm- Carnevale di Rialto - Fun Times Ahead - another fun one - I think
5:30 pm- The Head of the Bull gets Chopped Off, Piazza San Marco - well, it's a live event
6:45 & 9 pm- Arsenale Water Show - another chance to take in some of that beautiful water
- 9 pm- Official Dinner Show, Ca’ Vendramin Calergi - first a day of fun, then some fine dining
Friday 13th of February 2026
The weekend feeling is in the air:
- 3 pm- Carnevale di Burano - another day in Burano\
- 5 pm- Allegorical Floats on the Lido - you know what they say - 'when in Venice'
- 7:30 pm- Mirandolina, Teatro Goldoni - more theatre
- 11 at night - Venice Carnival @ Forte Marghera - the night goes on
Saturday 14th of February 2026
Valentines Day, in fancy dress.
- 8am - Venice Invitational Carnival Race - don't miss the boats
- 4 pm- Parade of Nations - this has got to be the highlight of the day
- 6:45 & 9 pm- Arsenale Water Show - I know, I know, more water
- 9 pm- Official Dinner Show, Ca’ Vendramin Calergi - fine food and company
- 11 at night - Venice Carnival @ Forte Marghera - and after dinner - another night out
Sunday 15th of February 2026
- 8 am- Venice Invitational Carnival Race - maybe get there a bit earlier to enjoy it all
- 3 pm- Carnevale di Burano - the day winds down
- 4 pm- Mirandolina, Goldoni - a bit of theatre to wrap up the weekend
- 5 pm- La Traviata, La Fenice - more opera
- 6:45 & 9 pm- Arsenale Water Show - a nice way to spend Sunday evening
Monday 16th of February 2026 - The day before the big show
The grand final is just a day away:
3:30 pm - Allegorical Floats in Mestre - I think I've got that right
- 3:30 pm- The Carnival of Traditions, Piazza San Marco - another celebration of it all
- 6:45 & 9 pm- Arsenale Water Show - can't remember how many times we've seen the water by now!
- 9 pm- Official Dinner Show - Final dinner before the big day
Tuesday 17th of February 2026 - Fat Tuesday
The grand final of the Carnevale Venezia 2026 has finally arrived:
- The Mask Parade, Piazza San Marco - the day winds down with a bang
- 2:15pm - A Waterborne Procession & Official Welcome of the new Maria - something really special here
- 3 pm- Carnevale di Burano 2026 - a final public outing
- 6:45 & 9 pm- Arsenale Water Show - It's the final time for this beauty
- 9 pm- Official Dinner Show, Ca’ Vendramin Calergi - the grand finale of our food and theatre
What is the best day to go to Venice Carnival?
For the most spectacular atmosphere: the weekend of February 7–8.
For fewer crowds and more authentic artisan experiences: weekdays between February 2 and 5.
For the grand climax: Mardi Gras, February 17, 2026.
How much does it cost to attend Venezia Carnevale?
Many public events in squares are free.
Costs apply to:
- Arsenale Water Show (ticketed)
- Official Dinner Show (high-end gala event)
- Private masked balls in historic palaces
- Workshops and theater performances have variable pricing.
What to do in Venice during Carnival 2026?
Beyond official events:
- Visit traditional mask ateliers
- Attend a costume ball
- Explore museums and historic palaces in the evening
- Take photos at sunrise in St. Mark’s Square with costumed figures (a magical moment with softer crowds)
What is the theme of Venice Carnival 2026?
The 2026 Carnival in Venice blends mythology, spectacle, and Venetian historical symbolism, with visual references to the classical world and theatrical traditions, especially visible in the Arsenale shows and official dinner performances.
FAQ
Do you need a costume to participate?
No, but wearing one makes the experience far more immersive.
Are events in St. Mark’s Square free?
Yes, most public performances there are free.
Where can you buy authentic Venetian masks?
In historic ateliers like Ca’ Macana and other certified artisan workshops.
Is the Arsenale Water Show suitable for children?
Yes, though it includes strong lighting and sound effects.
How long does Carnival last?
About two and a half weeks, from January 31 to February 17, 2026.
Which day is the most crowded?
Mardi Gras and the central weekends.
Are there events outside Venice’s historic center?
Yes, Mestre, Burano, and the Lido host parades and celebrations.
Should you book in advance?
Absolutely for hotels, dinner shows, and ticketed performances.
Does Carnival continue in bad weather?
Yes, unless conditions are extreme.
Is it suitable for art and culture lovers?
Very much so, thanks to museums, historic palaces, theater, and artisan traditions.
Conclusion
The program Venice Carnival 2026 schedule time offer a journey through spectacle, history, and tradition unlike any other event in the world.
During Carnival, Venice is not just a city to visit, but a living stage to experience step by step, surrounded by water, masks, and illuminated palaces in the winter night.
Plan ahead, choose your events carefully, and immerse yourself in the most fascinating living theater in Europe.
Now that you know the entire Venice Carnival 2026 program and schedule, which party will you attend?
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