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Festival · Venice, Italy

Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia)

“The world's most elegant masked ball — 2 weeks of costumes, Piazza San Marco parades + gondola rides”

Venice Carnival is the world's most elegant carnival — 2 weeks of masked balls, elaborate 18th-century Baroque costumes + parades in Piazza San Marco. Ends the day before Ash Wednesday (Martedì Grasso). Book 8-12 months ahead — Venice hotels 3-4× normal rates.

Upcoming dates

Next
2027
January 30-February 9
Following year
2028
February 19-March 1

2 weeks ending on Shrove Tuesday (Martedì Grasso). Dates shift with Easter. Peak weekend: last weekend before Lent.

Duration
2 weeks (peak final weekend)
Crowd
3 million visitors
Budget/day
$250-500 (hotels 3-4× normal Venice rates)
Book ahead
8+ months

Booking + planning tips

Best for: Photographers + culture travellers + couples
  • ✓Book Venice hotels 8-12 months ahead — everything sells out
  • ✓Costume rental €150-500/day at Atelier Marega + Ca' del Sol. Own costume €500-2,000+
  • ✓Ball tickets €200-1,000+ pp (Il Ballo del Doge is the most iconic)
  • ✓Free daytime parades in Piazza San Marco — no ticket needed
  • ✓Consider staying in Mestre (mainland) — hotels 40% cheaper, 10 min train to Venice
  • ✓Traghetto (small gondola crossing) €2 vs full gondola €80-120

Book hotels for Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) 2027

Prices spike + hotels sell out during this event. Book 8+ months ahead.

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Getting out of Venice (VCE)

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Frequently asked

When is Venice Carnival 2027?
January 30-February 9, 2027 (11 days). Peak final weekend: February 6-9. Ends Shrove Tuesday (Martedì Grasso).
Do I need to rent a costume?
No — you can attend parades in normal clothes. But wearing a mask + cape makes the experience. Rental from €150-500/day at atelier shops in San Marco district.
How much are the balls?
€200-1,000+ pp. Il Ballo del Doge (most famous, at Palazzo Pisani Moretta) is €800-1,500+. Book 3-6 months ahead.
Is Venice Carnival worth the price?
Yes for unique cultural experience + photography. Skip if budget-focused — Rome/Florence off-season is much cheaper Italian experience.
How far in advance should I book Venice Carnival?
8-12 months minimum. Hotels + costume rentals sell out. Rates 3-4× normal Venice.