Calendar of events: schedule and tickets for operas, concerts, art exhibits & more

The Venice Carnival

THE VENICE CARNIVAL: MASQUERADE BALLS AND EVENTS
Various locations, Venice
Tickets & Calendar of Events

Ordinary Venice is exciting, but Venice during the Carnival is spellbinding. Venice, a city already steeped in enchantment, transforms into a realm of absolute wonder during the two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras. This is when the Carnival of Venice, a tradition dating back over seven centuries, takes center stage. The city’s canals and cobblestone streets become the backdrop for a festival unlike any other, capturing the imagination of visitors and locals alike.

While Venice at any time of the year offers an exhilarating experience, the Carnival elevates this to a whole new level. The city becomes a living theater, where each corner reveals a new act. From opulent masquerade balls in historic palaces to spontaneous street performances, the Carnival offers a rich tapestry of experiences. And let’s not forget the iconic Venetian masks—works of art that conceal as much as they reveal, adding an extra layer of mystique to the festivities.

Romance takes on a new dimension during the Carnival. If you’ve never experienced love in Venice, this is your chance to understand why generations of lovers have declared Venetian romance to be unparalleled. The atmosphere is electric, filled with the promise of encounters that could change your life.

For the duration of the Carnival, Venice becomes a time capsule. Modernity takes a backseat, allowing the city’s rich history to come alive. Experiencing Venice during the Carnival is like stepping back in time, with no modern buildings to spoil the illusion. One can wander the streets, taking in the costumes and street performances, or attend an evening party, an opera or concert, in one of the palaces or hotels accustomed to hosting royalty.

As night falls, the city offers endless possibilities for adventure. Perhaps you’ll find yourself ascending a candlelit staircase, half-expecting to meet Casanova, or sipping cocktails as gondolas glide by, their reflections dancing on the water. And as the moon ascends, you may even find yourself in a secret romantic rendezvous, leaving you spellbound and eager for the next day’s escapades.

Our list of Masquerade Balls and events is continuously updated, ensuring you have the most current information for planning your Carnival experience.

Start planning your trip to Italy!

For public events, see the official Venice Carnival website

Tickets

Please mention the show you are interested in attending when you complete our travel request form or contact us by email or phone.

CARNIVAL DATES

January 27th to February 13th, 2024

Here is a list of costumed Parties and public events; please inquire for tickets and options.

 

The Ball of Dreams
Feb 3, 2024
Palazzo Zen

Carnival Extravaganza – special guest Casanova –
Feb 3, 2024
Ridotto Halls, Hotel Monaco

Street artists (free event)
The very best of street artists of renowned fame will bring their creativity, fantastic worlds and joy at the first event of Carnival 2023 in Mestre: a preview of the Carnival Street Show that will animate the Teatrino in Piazza Ferretto.
Feb 4, 5, 11, 12, 2024
Piazza Ferretto, the venetian “campi” and Mestre.

Original Dreamer: Opening Parade
Enjoy performance that will parade along the Grand Canal.
Feb 4, 2024, 9:00 PM
Grand Canal

Il Minuetto
Feb 4, 2024
Ridotto Halls, Hotel Monaco

Avanspettacolo Cabaret Gala Dinner & Carnival Show 2023
Feb 4, 10, 11, 16, 18, 21, 2024
Avanspettacolo Theatre Restaurant

Carnival Extravaganza – special guest Casanova –
Feb 9, 2024
Ridotto Halls, Hotel Monaco

Original Signs: Arsenal Water (free event)
Dive into a captivating experience where ancestral symbols and the elemental powers of earth, water, air, and fire ignite a parade of evolution, expressed through a tapestry of dance, music, and visual wonders that redefine the surreal.
Feb 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 at 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM

Carnival in Love Grand Ball – 10th Anniversary
Feb 10, 2024
Palazzo Zen

Ballo Tiepolo 2024 – 25th edition
Feb 10, 2024
Apollonian Halls, La Fenice Theater

Il Minuetto 1800
Feb 10, 2024
Ridotto Halls, Hotel Monaco

Casanova
Feb 11, 2024
Hotel Saturnia

Venice Carnival Official Dinner Show & Ball 2023
Feb 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 2024
Ca’ Vendramin Calergi

Il Minuetto
Feb 12, 2024
Ridotto Halls, Hotel Monaco

Il Matrimonio Segreto (The Secret Wedding)
Feb 14, 2024
Apollonian Halls, La Fenice Theater

Sweet Valentine
Feb 14, 2024
Ridotto Halls, Hotel Monaco

Between Earth and Sky: Fire, Light, and Passion in Mozart and Beethoven (concert)
Feb 15, 2024
Palazzo Labia

Floating Parade in Pellestrina (free event)
Feb 16, 17, 18, 2024 (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM)
Pellestrina – 639 Sestier Zennari – Venezia

Special Openings of “Musei Civici di Venezia”
Feb 17, 2024 (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
Feb 18, 2024 (10:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
Museo Fortuny and Galleria Internazionale d’Arte Moderna di Ca’ Pesaro

Carnival at Palazzetto Pisani 2023: The great seducer Don Giovanni
Feb 17, 2024
Palazzetto Pisani

The Glass Slippers: Venice Carnival Ball 2023
Feb 17, 2024
Ex Chiesa di Santa Chiara, Murano

Dances and traditional songs in Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio (free event)
Feb 18, 2024
Campo San Giacomo

Le Fantôme de l’Opéra – Venice Carnival Ball 2023
Feb 18, 2024
Hotel Saturnia

Frittelle, Galani e mulled wine (free event)
Distribution of frittelle, galani and mulled wine, with entertainment for children, in Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio.
Feb 19, 2024, 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Campo San Giacomo

Floating Parade in Campalto (free event)
Feb 19, 2024 (2:00 PM to 3:30 PM)
Campalto

Venetian Reflections Carnival Ball 2023
Feb 19, 2024
Palazzo Labia

The “12 Marie” at Carnevale di Venezia (free event)
Feb 20, 2024 (10:00 to 12:00 PM)
Saint Mark’s Square