Two weeks of masked processions, canal-side costume parades, and theatrical events across the lagoon city, culminating in the Flight of the Angel over St Mark's Square.
Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) runs for approximately 16 days ending on Shrove Tuesday. The origin is medieval: the carnival was suppressed by Napoleon in 1797 and revived in its modern form in 1979. The principal public events are concentrated in the final five days. The Flight of the Angel (Volo dell'Angelo) on the first Sunday drops a performer on a wire from the Campanile down to St Mark's Square in front of crowds of 50,000–70,000. It takes place at noon and the square fills to capacity two hours before the event: arrive by 9am to reach the front third of the square.
The masked ball circuit is the festival's premium tier. Palazzo Pisani Moretta on the Grand Canal hosts one of the most established balls, with tickets from €300 per person including a three-course dinner and live orchestra. Palazzo Ca' Vendramin Calergi, the winter casino, holds themed nights across the festival period. For travellers on a standard budget, the street carnival is entirely free: the campos around Dorsoduro, San Polo, and Santa Croce fill with costumed participants who dress voluntarily. Hiring a mask from one of the workshops in Dorsoduro costs €15–50 depending on quality. February in Venice is cold (5–10°C), often foggy, and occasionally wet: the atmospheric conditions are part of the experience but require preparation.
Party hostels within reach of 's main celebrations. Ranked by guest rating.
Day-by-day breakdown
The most-attended single event. The Volo dell'Angelo drops a costumed performer from the top of the Campanile to a platform in St Mark's Square at noon. The square holds 30,000–40,000 people at full capacity and reaches it by 10:30am. Vaporetto line 1 to San Marco Vallaresso deposits you 300 metres from the square entrance. Arriving by 9am gives access to the front half of the square; later arrival means watching from the Procuratie arcades or the Mercerie.
Shrove Tuesday is the carnival's final day and its most concentrated. The main afternoon procession moves through the campos of San Polo and Santa Croce. The evening closes with the official masquerade in St Mark's Square at midnight, when masks are removed and Lent begins. Most costume-hire shops require masks returned by 9am on Ash Wednesday. Overnight Trenitalia trains to Rome (3.5 hours) and Milan (2.5 hours) depart from Santa Lucia station throughout the night.
Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttles for your arrival.
