The Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026

Hey there adventurers, get ready to dive in and discover all you need to know about the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026 - an incredible historical, cultural and visually stunning experience right at the heart of the Venice Carnival.

Are you ready to get into the nitty-gritty of the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026? This truly one-of-a-kind event draws in visitors, history buffs, and anyone who loves Venetian celebrations every year.

Learn everything you need to know in our guide by Venice Insider Guide.

Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026: New edition

In the new edition of the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026, you can expect to see a full calendar of events connected to the Venice Carnival.

This includes the selection of the twelve Maries, the water parade along the Grand Canal, the election of the Maria of the Year, and the final proclamation.

For 2026 the key moments for the Festa delle Marie are set for January 31 the selection of the Maries, February 7 the water parade and public presentation, and February 16-17 for the election and final proclamation of the Maria of the Year.

This is an event that promises to deliver in full the history, spectacle, tradition and popular celebration that you'd expect from the Venice Carnival.

And so, during the Venice Carnival 2026, the Feast of the Maries stands out as one of the most important events, alongside the Flight of the Angel, elegant Masked Ball nights, exclusive Private Events, and the emotional Grand Finale leading up on to Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, and finally Ash Wednesday marking the last day of the festival.

The stars of the show are the twelve Marie, also known as the twelve young brides or twelve maidens, young women and girls, selected even from overseas applicants, who will be decked out in elegant period costumes and take part in an evocative water parade along the Grand Canal, starting from Santa Sofia and finishing up in St Mark's Square, also known as St Mark's Square or Mark's Square, right in the heart of the city of Venice, in the region of Italy.

What is The Festa delle Marie of the Venice Carnival

The Festa delle Marie is one of the most fascinating and ancient celebrations tied into the Venice Carnival.

It has deep roots stretching right back to the Middle Ages and still represents a powerful symbol of Venetian culture, traditions and folklore, with its origins dating back to the 10th century. The modern event is a re-imagining of an ancient celebration that has been part of the city for centuries, blending historical ceremony, period costumes and public spectacle.

The Festa delle Marie owes its origins to a real-life historical event that took place in AD 973. Twelve young Venetian women were kidnapped by Dalmatian pirates during the festivities for the Purification of the Virgin Mary at the church of San Pietro di Castello. Thanks to a daring rescue organised by the Doge of Venice, the young women were rescued and brought back to the city. To commemorate this event — a symbol of courage, unity and community celebration — a festival was established and celebrated for centuries. Over time, it evolved and took on a new form, until it was revived in 1999 and has since become one of the most eagerly anticipated highlights of the modern Venice Carnival.

Today the Festa delle Marie in Venice 2026 is a vibrant page in the history of Venice. Twelve young women, selected as ambassadors for the city, dress up in period costumes and participate in a water parade along the Grand Canal, arriving at St. Mark’s Square, where they are presented to the public. This is an event that blends history, tradition, fancy dress and popular participation to create a living tableau of Venice suspended between the past and the present.

How the Festa delle Marie Works

The Festa delle Marie 2026 has a fascinating structure that brings together selection, celebration and public presentation. It is both a historical reenactment and a cultural competition among the young participants. It all begins with the selection of the candidates: women from Venice between 18 and 28 years of age can apply by sending in documentation and photographs as per the official event rules.

Once chosen, the twelve women become the official Maries of the Carnival. The highlight of the event is the water parade aboard historic gondolas or traditional boats, the Maries travel along the Grand Canal from Santa Sofia to St. Mark’s Square. They are accompanied by historical groups, musicians and performers in period costumes, creating an atmosphere that feels like a step back in time.After the water procession the Maries disembark and are escorted to the stage, set up in St.Mark's Square, where they are officially presented to the public and a traditional group photo is taken. The whole event is designed to show off Venetian history, beauty and identity in a fun and visually striking way that's engaging and meaningful.

Tradition of the Festa delle Marie

The Festa delle Marie in Venice is a lot more than just a parade - its a tradition that has been around for centuries, wrapped up in loads of history, cultural change and deep symbolism.

Its roots go back to the 9th century when it was a community celebration during the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. Over time it evolved into a mix of religious ritual, popular festivity and noble ceremony

As the celebration went on it became a time for people in the community to come together. The twelve young women - the Maries - who were chosen for this honour would receive support and gifts from well-off families to help them set up their own homes and start new families - making it an event that was closely tied into everyday Venetian life and turning a religious festival into something with much wider meaning.

Despite the odd period when the celebrations were put on hold or replaced with symbolic figures, the event was revived in 1999 thanks to an effort to keep Venetian heritage alive. Since then the Festa delle Marie of the Carnival in Venice has become one of the most popular events of the whole Carnival, attracting lots of locals and visitors from all around the world.

The way the Maries move, the traditional costumes they wear and the amazing scenery all come together to make this event a real chance to see Venetian history come alive in a vibrant and festive way - perfect for anyone who loves getting under the skin of a place and discovering its deep cultural roots.

Cultural Significance of the Festa delle Marie

From a cultural perspective the Festa delle Marie in Venice in 2026 is a bit of a bridge between past and present

It celebrates the city's unique identity, its maritime history, its community values and social inclusion. For visitors and fans of the event, the Festa is a rare chance to see history brought to life in the form of period costumes, formal ceremonies and a procession that is both visually stunning and full of meaning.

The Maries are a symbol of the importance of young women in Venetian society and how they contributed to the city's social fabric. Every year, the event gives everyone a glimpse not just of the parade and the boats, but also of that shared sense of identity that brings people together and shows how tradition, history and celebration all blend together in a big public event.

The Festa delle Marie in Venice is much more than just a tourist attraction - it's a cultural experience that tells the story of Venice through its legends, its costumes and its community spirit.

Why the Festa delle Marie Is Celebrated During the Venice Carnival

The Feast of the Maries takes place during the Venice Carnival because it marks the start of the city's great carnival season

Although its origins go back to a medieval story about rescue and community, its place in the Carnival is a way of linking up tradition with modern-day celebrations.

During the Carnival Venice really comes alive. The streets, squares and canals fill up with masks, costumes, performances and music. The Feast of the Maries is considered one of the most important and meaningful moments of the whole event. Its history, its costumes and its public celebration all come together to capture the true spirit of the Venetian Carnival - a mix of beauty, drama and shared identity.

When the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026

The Venice Carnival 2026 officially runs from 31 January to 17 February, 2026 and the Feast of the Maries is all part of the celebrations.

Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026 Dates

Key dates for the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026 include:

• 31 January 2026: the 12 Maries are chosen at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista
• 7 February 2026: the 12 Maries have a water procession and are officially presented in St. Mark's Square
• 16 February 2026: the Maria of the Year is chosen at the Apollinean Rooms of Teatro La Fenice
• 17 February 2026: the Maria of the Carnival is chosen in St. Mark's Square

Each of these dates is an important part of a journey that lets visitors experience the Carnival in all its glory.

Where the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026

The Feast of the Maries in 2026 takes place in the heart of Venice, all the way through the city. The main stage for the celebrations is St. Mark's Square, where the Maries are officially presented to the public.The Water Parade - A Spectacular Kick-Off to the Feast of the Maries in Venice

The Water Parade gets underway from Santa Sofia, winding its way along the Grand Canal and putting on a breathtaking show as gondolas glide across the water, accompanied by the sounds of music and historical groups playing their parts in the show.

Getting Here for the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026

If you want to get to St. Mark's Square or catch the start of the Water Parade, your best bet is to hop on an ACTV water bus, grab a water taxi, or simply take a stroll through the bridges and narrow streets of Venice. From Santa Lucia train station, you can take water bus line 1 or 2 straight to St. Mark's Square, or make your way to the Santa Sofia ferry crossing to watch the parade along the Grand Canal.

Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026 Tickets

Actually, no, visiting the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026 to watch the festivities from public areas like St. Mark's Square or along the canals is free. Of course, some of the ancillary events - such as the election of the Maria of the Year at Teatro La Fenice - may require a ticket to get in, but these will be available through official Carnival or event ticket sales channels.

Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026 Program

The full programme of the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026 is spread out over several days, with different bits dedicated to selection, the Water Parade, and the final announcement. This makes it super easy to join in on the fun and take in the whole cultural and festive experience rather than just showing up for a single event.

Some of the highlights include the Water Parade along the Grand Canal, the public presentation in St. Mark's Square, and the election of the Maria of the Year - all of which make for an incredible experience, deeply connected to one of Venice's oldest traditions.

So, the program of the Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026 consists of several stages. More precisely:

• Saturday, January 31, 2026: Selection of the 12 Marys of the Venice Carnival 2026 at the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista.
• Saturday, February 7, 2026: Traditional water parade with official presentation and photo op in St. Mark's Square. Beginning at 3 p.m. along the Grand Canal, the Marys parade by gondola to St. Mark's Square, where the official presentation and the inevitable photo op takes place.
• Monday, February 16, 2026: Election of the Mary of the Year 2026 in the Sale Apollinee of the Teatro La Fenice. The Mary of the Year is elected in the Sale Apollinee of the Teatro La Fenice, a special title that enhances the participation of girls.
• Tuesday, February 17, 2026: Proclamation of the Mary of the Carnival of Venice 2026 in St. Mark's Square. The final day sees the official proclamation in St. Mark's Square, one of the most engaging moments for the public.

FAQ

What's the Festa delle Marie all about?
It's a long-standing tradition and part of the Venice Carnival that's been going on for ages - a really cool historical and cultural celebration where twelve young women are picked for the honour, get to take part in the Water Parade and then put on show for the public in St. Mark's Square.

When does it happen in 2026?
The Feast of the Maries is scheduled to take place between January 31 and February 17, 2026, with the main events happening on January 31, February 7, February 16 and February 17.

Can I just turn up and watch?
Yeah, the main outdoor events are free to watch. But some of the indoor events, like those at Teatro La Fenice, may require a ticket.

Where can I see the parade?
The Water Parade starts from Santa Sofia, makes its way along the Grand Canal and finishes in St. Mark's Square. You can catch it from all sorts of waterfront locations around the city and it's totally free to do so.

Conclusion

The Feast of the Maries in Venice 2026 really is an experience not to be missed.

With its roots going back centuries, the celebration is a perfect blend of tradition, public fun, and visual wow - the Water Parade, the public presentation, the election of the Maria of the Year - all of which make for an unforgettable experience from start to finish.

So why not come and discover, experience and become a part of the magic of this unique celebration? A journey through the history, costumes and culture of Venice that you'll be talking about long after you leave the city.

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