In this article, I present Venice Carnivalthe best party in town!
Here you'll find
- A presentation of the Venice Carnival
- What you can see and do on this occasion
- What you need to know about Carnival and how it works
- Tips and recommendations to make the most of it
- And much more!
If you're looking for information about Carnival in Venice, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
Carnival Venice: article summary
Venice Carnival, the city's most colorful traditional festival
When we think of Venice, several elements immediately spring to mind: its romantic gondolasits monuments such as the San Marco basilica or the Rialto Bridge...and the famous Carnival of the city!
Let me explain where this traditional celebration and how to make the most of it if you're in Venice during the celebrations!
Introducing Venice Carnival
Traces of Venice's carnival celebrations can be found in writings as early as the 10th century. It's a very old tradition, with a very simple aim: to enable the Venetian people to take communion, regardless of social class.
That's right, masks and disguises allowed everyone to be whoever they wanted to be for the duration of the event, which sometimes lasted the whole day. winter. It's all about erasing social markers and letting the poor play rich and the rich play poor.
It's also a way for citizens in disguise to break certain ruleswithout the risk of being discovered. Obviously, this will lead to major problems and stricter supervision as the years go by.
Depending on the period, Venice Carnival offers varied attractions from animal hunts (pigs and bulls) in the Middle Ages, to grandiose feasts and impressive feasts (notably at the Shrove Thursday) around the 14th century, followed by the parades, shows and sumptuous dinners of today.
He has lost its superbness between the beginning of the 19th century and the end of the 20th century, becoming gentrified and thus moving away from its popular character. But in 1980At the end of the 19th century, when the festival was almost forgotten and the masks had disappeared, the Municipality of Venice decided to revive Carnival and make it one of Venice's major events.
It's a success, and if some deplore its lack of authenticity, Venice Carnival remains one of the Serenissima's craziest and most popular attractions!
Facts and anecdotes
- It is celebrated every year and begins 10 days before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent for Christians) and lasts until Shrove Tuesday (a week of feasting).
- The party was brought to a halt with Napoleon's arrival in 1797for fear of possible riots or shenanigans facilitated by disguises
- The masks most commonly used today are those of Pierrot and Colombinefrom the Commedia dell'arte, but also that of the plague-era doctor with his long beak.
- The oldest and most famous mask is the of Harlequin!
- Carnival attracts many tourists, especially Frenchwho make up the majority of participants!
What are the attractions at Carnival in Venice?
Several events punctuate the carnival, and you may come across a concert, a parade or mask workshops around the corner.
But two major attractions are not to be missed.
The Feast of the Maries
This festival consists of a parade of twelve prettiest women in VeniceIt takes place on the afternoon of the first Saturday of Carnival. Starting in the San Pietro Castello district, the damsels parade through the city, accompanied by bridesmaids, costumed guests and musicians.
They go to Piazza San MarcoThe most beautiful of them all is then chosen and awarded the title of Mary of the Year. In addition to the prestige of being the prettiest girl in Venice, the winner gets to fly the angel the following year!
The flight of the Angel
This flight of the angel sees the winner of the Fête des Maries soar from the top of the Venice Campanile to reach the lovers waiting for him on the Piazzetta from St Mark's Square. A symbolic dive, previously performed by an acrobat.
Parties, concerts and private dinners
In the hotelsthe restaurants or certain rooms in Venice (notably la Fenice), you can attend theatrical performances, concerts and other parties with masked guests.
You'll need to book in advance to enjoy these activities, which will plunge you into another era for an evening!
When is Carnival in Venice?
The dates of the Venice Carnival vary from year to year.
- In 2022, it was held from February 12 to March 1.
- In 2023, it will be held mainly from February 11 to 21
- It is scheduled to take place between February 3 and February 13 in 2024 and from February 22 to March 4 in 2025.
These are dates you should be aware of if you wish to visit Venice at this time of year, as the crowds are obviously very high during the event.
How to attend Carnival in Venice
If you would like to attend the Carnival, please take note of my recommendations:
- Book your plane or train tickets as soon as possible
- Book a hotel as soon as you have your dates, so you don't end up in an out-of-the-way establishment
- If you want to dress up, buy your outfits in advance to avoid paying full price in Venice
- Consult the calendar of events on the official Venice website and sign up for the activities that interest you, so as not to be left out.
Good to know : For those who plan to take part in the Venice Carnival and visit the main monuments, I recommend you take Venice Pass to save you time!
Should you visit Venice during Carnival?
If you've never been to Venice, this is the place to be. perhaps not the best time to discover the Serenissima, which at the time was under siege.
The monuments are full, as are the restaurants and the boats of the city. So if your main objective is to visit, I'd advise you to opt for another period.
On the other hand, if you want to discover a city full of color, with its atypical atmosphere and amazing costumes, the Venice Carnival will enchant you.
It's one of the most famous celebrations in the world, and taking part is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories!
What to do in Venice in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Venice guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
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