Got Venice’s Carnival on your agenda for 2025? You’re not alone; thousands are expected to flock to the canals of La Serenissima this coming February to get involved in one of the world’s most extravagant and iconic celebrations.
Each year, when February comes around, the city of Venice undergoes a little transformation; it becomes less about the beauty it’s known for and centers around Carnival. This is a festival where people throw on funky masks and extraordinary costumes, and the city’s streets burst into a display of colors, with parades and performances playing out until the final day. It’s a true party you don’t want to miss!
Hoping to uncover the magic behind it all? Of course you are; here’s your guide to the Venice Carnival for 2025.
What Is the Venice Carnival?
Let’s start by explaining what the Venice Carnival is all about. This iconic festival has been around since 1162, but we’ll dive into its historical roots a bit later. The dates of the Venice Carnival change annually as they align with the two weeks ahead of Lent. In 2025, the festival will take place from February 22nd to March 4th, but there are a few events scheduled before the official start date, so keep your eyes peeled.
During this period, locals throw on elaborate 17th-century Venetian costumes and outrageous masks, transforming the city into a proper spectacle. Parades wind through the streets, bursting with life, and, best of all, it’s entirely free to watch for passersby like yourself. While most tourists skip the full costumes, some can’t resist picking up masks from local vendors to get in on the fun because, let’s face it, we travelers are suckers for any bit of local fun we can join in on. And just to clear up any confusion, this isn’t the same as Brazil’s Carnival. The traditions are a little different from each other, but they’re both a form of celebration.
The Carnival in Venice isn’t just about street festivities, though. Lots of exclusive events go down across the city, including grand balls and opulent dinner parties. However, the tickets to go to these often come with hefty price tags. So unless you’re ready to spend big on a night out, the lively street celebrations might be your best bet for getting in on the action.
The Story Behind Carnival
Now, it’s time to give you some background information about this crazy festival. The story behind the Venice Carnival can be traced back to 1162 when the city came out on top and dominated its adversaries, the Patriarch of Aquileia. The Venetians didn’t take long to show how happy they were with the result, as they held exciting street parties, where lots of people showed up gathering and cheering in public areas like the famed St. Mark’s Square. Over time, these celebrations continued and eventually evolved into the annual Carnival.
However, the Carnival festival has faced its fair share of challenges over the years. Take 1797, for example; during the rule of the Holy Roman Emperor, the honoring Carnival was made illegal. Even though this rule came into place, Venetians kept the spirit alive, hosting their own private gatherings and going against the ban. To their luck, in 1979, the Italian government officially revived the event, transforming it into a cultural celebration that could increase tourism in Venice.
You’re probably saying to yourself, ‘But what about the masks,’ that’s a really good question. You see, back in these days, people wore masks to give themselves a sense of secrecy so they could get up to all sorts of wild activities; let your imagination do the work for you on that one. Unfortunately, those caught with masks were severely punished with harsh penalties such as banning them from playing games. So, this is where it all began.
Events Around Venice Through Carnival
There’s a wide array of events lined up for Carnival this year. Since most people will only be in Venice for a few days to experience the festival, it’s crucial to plan your trip around the events you most want to attend.
Here’s a complete list of the best ones you can’t miss!
The Flight of the Angel
Taking place on the first Sunday of the festival, the Flight of the Angel is an unmissable event for anyone attending Carnival in Venice. The tradition dates back to the 16th century when a Turkish acrobat famously walked along a rope connecting Riva degli Schiavoni, Doge’s Palace, and St. Mark’s Tower. After a sad incident in 1759, the local government decided that a wooden dove would be used for the performance. But this decision was then reversed again, swapping to a human dressed as an angel, making the spectacle even more fascinating.
To witness the Flight of the Angel yourself, head to Piazza San Marco, where it’s due to happen at 12 pm. Entry is free for all visitors, but it gets crowded, so get there early. Be sure not to miss it!
Il Ballo del Doge
On March 1st, the Il Ballo del Doge is scheduled, and you won’t believe how big it’s going to be. This is easily the most exclusive costume party in Venice during Carnival. It’s a ticketed event where guests arrive in masquerades and costumes for a gala dinner with music, amazing food, endless drinks (including lots of bubbles), and live stage performances throughout the night. All visitors are expected to dress appropriately for the occasion, but the organizers even offer a service where you can hire a costume for the evening.
The fees to attend this party are shockingly high. The cheapest tickets cost €800, which only grants access to the after-party. If you want to stay for the dinner, you’ll need to shell out €2000 – yes, you read that right. But hey, if it’s a bucket list item for you, go for it.
La Festa Veneziana sull’Acqua
An event that everyone eagerly anticipates during Carnival is the Grand Canal Parade, also known as La Festa Veneziana sull’Acqua. This show features a fleet of Venetian boats gliding along the Rio di Cannaregio, with the highlight being the leader, the famous Pantegana boat, designed to resemble a rat. The rowers all wear masks and follow the lead boat for a full hour while the crowd cheers them on from afar.
Finding a good space to watch the boats can be a bit of a challenge. As you’ll know if you’ve been to Venice before, along the banks of the canals, there’s not much space, making it a battle for viewing areas. Setting up a little base around the Canareggio district early in the morning is the best advice I can give you; sure, you might have to wait around for a while, but it’s worth it.
The Festa delle Marie
The Festa delle Marie is set to return for this year’s Carnival on February 22nd, and it promises to be better than ever. This event was created in honor of a kidnapping that took place when 12 brides were picked up by pirates from Istria. However, the locals fought back and safely returned them. It was bad news for the pirates, though, as they were killed for their crime, and the kidnapped women had one of the harbors named in their honor, called Porto delle Donzelle.
So, how does all this play out today? A selection of stunning ladies are chosen for the big parade; they have to wear the most spectacular costumes to showcase their true beauty. After they’re picked, they move through the city, starting at San Pietro di Castello and making their way toward St. Mark’s Square. Before the parade ends, an award called “Maria of the Year” is given to the most gorgeous of them all, and she is selected as the face of the following year.
How to Visit Venice During Carnival on a Budget
Look, Venice is an expensive city to visit, even when Carnival isn’t taking place. But when you add one of Europe’s biggest festivals to the mix, the prices are bound to skyrocket. That doesn’t mean you should cancel your trip entirely; it’s still possible to experience Carnival on a budget. We will show you how in this section.
Stay On the Mainland
Any accommodation on the island of Venice when Carnival is on will be way too overpriced, even if you’re considering staying in a hostel. It’s better to base yourself somewhere on the mainland and then take the train to the island during the day.
Look into staying in properties in and around the Marghera area, or you could go even further and book a place in Milan and just take a day trip; at least you won’t be fighting with the competition for accommodation, and it will be a fraction of the price. Just be mindful that you may have to pay the €5 day-tripper fee that has been recently introduced for those coming for a short trip.
Stick To Free Events Only
It’s easy to get lured into paying for some of the high-fee events in Carnival; you’ll be faced with the old saying ‘you’re only at Carnival once’ from the vendors. But if you go buying tickets to something like the Venetian Reflections Carnival Ball 2025, which cost €195, it defeats the purpose of trying to save money.
Events like Festa delle Marie, La Festa Veneziana sull’Acqua, and the Flight of the Angel are all free to enter. These are the types of ones you want to stick to, those out in the open for the public to see.
Buy Your Masks in Advance
Ordering your mask in advance on a website like Amazon will save you a few euros. There’s no need to be forking out a good chunk of cash for a mask, especially if you have no interest in using it in the future.
People can end up paying quite a fair whack for these masks when they get to Venice just to feel a part of the experience, but after you go home, it’s just left in the drawer, never to be used again. Save yourself some money, and get a cheap one beforehand.
Don’t Go Near the Gondolas
You’ve been warned; don’t go near the gondolas. While they may look oh-so-romantic, you’ll be paying €90 for a half-an-hour ride during the day, and that figure increases to €110 in the evening.
Try to stay on foot as much as you can in Venice, but if it’s your first time, you’ll likely want to get out around the canals to tick it off your bucket list. If that’s the case, hop on one of the traghettos for a little ride down; the tickets are only €2, and they stop at a good few places like Riva del Carbon and Santa Maria del Giglio.
Other Things to Do in Venice During Carnival
Still in need of more ideas on how to enjoy Carnival in Venice? These are a few more great things to do around the city come February 22nd.
- The Best Mask Competition: Every day, there’s a contest held at Piazza San Marco for the best mask; visitors can enter for free on the day.
- Arsenale Water Show: A thrilling lineup of water-based performances with dances and fire acts by the Venetian Aresenale.
- The Carnival Pub Crawl: Bookable all throughout Carnival, the festival’s bar crawl takes you to experience some local ‘bacari’ alongside a guide who knows the city like the back of their hand.
Pick Up Your Masks and Head to Venice for Carnival
Don’t miss the chance to attend Carnival in Venice this February/March. Every year, it grows in popularity, but no matter how many people come to witness it, nothing can take away from how special it truly is in person.
Skip the expensive accommodation on the mainland, keep it simple with the masks, and you’ll be able to enjoy this year’s Carnival at a much lower cost.