February in Italy is the time of Carnevale. The festival marks the period traditionally known as Shrovetide before Lent. And since Lent is a time of sacrifice and fasting, Carnevale is the ultimate last hurrah.
The country lights up with lively festivals, colourful parades and grand celebrations, and where better to join the masquerade than in Venice? Of course, other cities turn out to mark the occasion, but no place in Italy celebrates carnival quite like La Serenissima. It truly is one of those do-before-you-die spectacles, steeped in history, pageantry and touch of debauchery.
Join the masquerade
Carnival is a festival that dates back to the 11th-century in Venice, but reached its zenith in the 18th-century when celebrations would begin as early as October! It is this period of Baroque decadence that present-day festivities tend to emulate.
Carnevale runs for two weeks each year before coming to a close on Shrove Tuesday — or as you may know it — Mardi Gras or Pancake Day. The city turns out for extravagant public celebrations including parties, historical re-enactments, processions along the Grand Canal and elegant masquerade balls.
On the first Saturday of Carnival, the festival is inaugurated with a water parade of gondolas along the grand Canal from Santa Sofia to Piazza San Marco. As per tradition, 12 girls are selected for La Festa delle Marie who will be presented on stage in St Mark’s Square. Allegorical parades, festively dressed boats and incredible light displays transform the historic centre. The iconic setting of winding waterways, arching bridges and breathtaking palazzi provides a mesmerising backdrop for partakers in full and elaborate costume.
When is Carnival in Venice 2025
This year, the Venice Carnival 2025 is celebrating the 300th anniversary of Giacomo Casanova, the famous Venetian lothario. Although Carnivale officially begins on Saturday 22nd February, an immersive programme of events will take place from Valentine’s Day. On the 14th February St Mark’s Square will be transformed into a stage for live music, dramatic performances, dance and opera, followed by a traditional boat parade on Sunday 16th, February.
In the run up to Carnival, there are a number of mask making workshops and free guided tours of the beautiful Scuola di San Rocco and Palazzetto Bru Zane. Opera at La Fenice includes performances of Rigoletto and The Barber of Seville.
The Carnival Official Ball will take place each weekend during Carnevale at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi and will immerse you in the 18th-century world of Casanova, with a strict dress code of historical masked attire! Allegorical float parades and open-air performances will fill the streets and squares of Venice. The 18th-century museums of Venice will stay open until 10.00pm so you can catch a glimpse of the Doge’s Palace, Museo Correr and Ca Rezzonico after dark!
For more inspiration on what to attend at the Carnevale di Venezia this year take a look at the complete programme.
Our top tips on what to do in Venice during Carnevale
The best way to see Venice is by foot, especially during Carnevale. Wonder from canal side to campi, occasionally pausing on bridges to savour the magic of the city and marvel at the characters you will meet in full masquerade. Embrace the history of Carnival and combine a walking tour of Venice with a ‘bar-crawl’ of the city's best Bacari. In 2025 restaurants and bacari across the city will be offering special dishes, cicchetti and cocktails dedicated to Carnevale on these dates.
It’s opera season in Venice during Carnevale as well and there couldn’t be a more fitting time to visit the 18th-century, Teatro la Fenice. If this isn’t the perfect occasion for a decadent night at the opera then we don’t know what is!
You’ll be spoilt for choice if you are looking to buy a Venetian mask to wear for Carnevale. There are so many shops in Venice to choose from. But before you settle for a touristy souvenir, why not consider a more unique and authentic alternative? The chance to make your Venetian mask in a private workshop! At Ca’ Macana in Dorsoduro choose from many family workshops where you can fashion your masks out of papier-mâché before painting and decorating them using traditional techniques.
When is the best time to visit Venice for Carnival?
Carnevale di Venezia always finishes on Shrove Tuesday (“Martedì Grasso”) or Mardi Gras, which is the liveliest and busiest time to visit Venice. The final weekend of carnival culminates in some of the festival’s best events, so if you can stomach the crowds, this is the best time to visit the city.
When you stay in one of our luxury and historic villas near Venice, you can combine the peace and quiet of wider Veneto with the vibrant scene in the historic centre.