Venice Carnival 2026

Theme Venice Carnival 2024

​Photo by Graham Guenther on Unsplash
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Get an invitation for a Carnival Ball

Enticingly romantic, that is what Carnival in Venice has been for ages. Visiting a Carnival Ball will be the highlight, but there are many other great things to do.

​Venice Carnival 2026 : Olympus – The Origins of the Game

Every Carnival has a theme, and for 2026, the Venice Carnival celebrates “Olympus – The Origins of the Game”.
This year the Winter Olympics are held in Milano and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Venice marks the Olympic moment with a theme that looks back to the earliest ideas of play, challenge and collective celebration, drawing inspiration from Greek mythology and the values associated with athletic ritual: strength, beauty, courage and the harmony of body and mind.
The theme also reflects Venice’s own heritage. For centuries the Carnival was a grand stage for competitions, acrobatic feats and public displays of skill, from acrobats and rope-walkers to regattas and tournaments in the squares and canals. These spectacles transformed everyday life into shared celebration, long before modern sports took shape.
By choosing a theme that connects the Olympic year with the mythic origins of the game, Carnival 2026 becomes a tribute to the values that unite people across time and cultures: loyalty, passion, courage, inclusion, and the joy of celebrating together.

Venice Carnival 2026: Olympus - The origins of the Game

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Key Events Celebrating Olympus

Water Show at the Arsenale

• The Venice Carnival 2026 opens with the Festa Veneziana on Sunday 1 February 2026. Around one hundred decorated rowing boats, led by masked rowers in eighteenth century style costumes, will set off from Punta della Dogana at 10.30 in the morning, moving along the Grand Canal in a pageant that reflects the myths of Olympus and the spirit of the Olympic Games. Near the Rialto Bridge the procession will offer a vivid spectacle before the celebration continues with a festive gathering in the Erbaria.
  
• Carnival Street Shows: a lively highlight of Carnival inspired this year by the ancient idea of play and the myths that celebrated harmony of body, mind and spirit. International performers will animate the historic centre, Mestre and the islands with music, circus theatre, clowning and open air performances that turn the entire city into a stage. Expect colourful street theatre and roaming artists such as mimes, stilt walkers, magicians and storytellers bringing delight and movement to visitors of all ages.
  
• The Water Show at the Arsenale: A captivating performance on water at the Darsena Grande combining dance, music and light in a spectacle that tells the myth of the primordial game, humans measuring themselves against beauty, limits and dreams just as in ancient Olympia.

Get an invitation for a Carnival Ball

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Embracing the Spirit of Olympus and games

The Venice Carnival 2026 takes place from 7 to 17 February  with a pre-carnival week starting at 31 January.  This edition honours what the official announcement calls “the universal power of play and of challenge.”

Presenting the theme, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said: “Venice has always been a city of play, of challenge and of freedom. With ‘Olympus – At the origins of the game’ we want to pay homage to the Olympic spirit that will enliven our country in 2026, but also remember that right here, among the narrow streets and the squares of the Serenissima, forms of spectacle and of competition were born that still move us today.”

Artistic director Massimo Checchetto added: “Olympus is a vision. It is the dialogue between the gods and men, between perfection and the dream, it is the moment in which man measures himself against himself, pushes himself beyond the limits of the physical and of the mind. The game is the origin of every art and of every celebration.”
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Carnival 2026 highlights values such as loyalty, passion, courage and inclusion, creating “a collective narrative where the limit becomes strength and diversity becomes value.”

Courtesy Commune di Venezia: ​facebook.com

Follow in Casanova's footsteps – Explore our special walking route

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Why Visit the Venice Carnival 2026?

Attending the Venice Carnival 2026 is a chance to embrace the allure of Venice, a city alive with imagination, artistry and vibrant festivities. This year’s event invites visitors to celebrate the timeless charm of Venetian traditions while enjoying performances, parades and cultural experiences inspired by the theme “Olympus – At the origins of the game.” With its blend of history, creativity and spectacle, the Carnival offers more than just entertainment, it is an invitation to connect with Venice’s enduring legacy. Whether strolling through its decorated streets or marvelling at its lively performances, you will find yourself immersed in a celebration that brings the city’s past to life in the most unforgettable way.

Being a guest at one of the most exclusive private masquerade carnival balls in an authentic palazzo, makes your stay unforgettable. 

Discover the Russolo Family's carnival balls

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What are the must-see Events at the Venice Carnival 2026: Highlights

1. Festa Veneziana – Water Parade
Date: Sunday 1 February 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: From Punta della Dogana to Rialto
Description: A vibrant water parade featuring decorated boats with masked participants, showcasing Venice's unique spirit.

2. Arsenale Water Show
Dates: 6–8 February and 12–17 February 2026
Time: Evening shows, exact times to be announced
Location: Darsena Grande, Arsenale
Description: A spectacular water show featuring lights, music, and performances inspired by the 2026 theme. The shows are expected to run on the first official Carnival weekend and every evening of the final Carnival week, ending on Fat Tuesday.

3. Festa delle Marie Parade
Date: Saturday 7 February 2026
Time: 2:30 PM
Route: From Santa Sofia to Piazza San Marco
Description: A historic parade celebrating twelve Venetian maidens, dressed in traditional costumes.

4. The Ball of Dreams
Date: Saturday 7 February 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Palazzo C’a Zen ai Frari
Description: Private masked ball by the Russolo Family, on invitation.

5. Best Mask Contest, preliminary rounds
Dates: 7, 8, 12, 13 and 14 February 2026
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Piazza San Marco
Description: Participants display their elaborate costumes on stage, vying for a spot in the grand final.

6. The Flight of the Angel (Lo Svolo dell’Angelo)
Date: Sunday 8 February 2026
Time: Around noon
Location: Piazza San Marco
Description: If the event returns in 2026 as expected, the descent will take place on Sunday 8 February, launching the first official week of Carnival with a spectacular view both for the angel… and for you.

7. The Glass Slippers Ball
Date: Friday 13 February 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Glass Cathedral, Murano
Description: The Glass Slippers Ball in the Glass Cathedral, Ex-Chiesa Santa Chiara,  is a real insider tip. Tickets are available through inlovewithmuranoglass.com

8. Carnival in Burano
Date: Saturday 14 February 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Burano
Description: Festivities include a children’s magic show, music in the square, float parades, and a final award ceremony for the best masked groups.

9. Grand Ball Carnival in Love "Amore"
Date: Saturday 14 February 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Palazzo C’a Zen ai Frari
Description: Private masked ball by the Russolo Family, on invitation.

10. The Flight of the Eagle (Lo Svolo dell’Aquila)
Date: Sunday 15 February 2026
Time: Around noon
Location: Piazza San Marco
Description:  Get to the piazza early for a good view. The moment when the eagle takes off from the Campanile is one you will not want to miss.

11. Best Mask Contest, grand final
Date: Sunday 15 February 2026
Time: To be announced
Location: Piazza San Marco
Description: The grand finale of the Best Mask Contest, awarding the most creative and elaborate masks.

12. Official Parade and Presentation of the Maria of the Venice Carnival 2026
Date: Tuesday 17 February 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Piazza San Marco
Description: The Carnival concludes with the official presentation of the Maria, celebrating the finale in St. Mark's Square.

13. The Flight of the Lion (Lo Svolo del Leone)
Date: Tuesday 17 February 2026
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Piazza San Marco
Description: In 2026, Lo Svolo del Leone is expected to take place on Tuesday 17 February. It is the last highlight of the Carnival, and an invitation to come back next year.

Days and times can change. Always have a look at the official program.

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