Venice Carnival 2027: Dates, Masks and Gondolas

TL;DR: The Venice Carnival 2027 runs from 23 January to 9 February 2027, according to the official Carnival site; the full programme had not been announced on 27 October 2026. The 2026 Carnival ran 31 January to 17 February. Carnival always ends at midnight on Shrove Tuesday. Its roots go back to 1162; it was banned in 1797 and revived in 1979, and it now draws about 3 million visitors a year. People wore masks to hide who they were, since Carnival suspended the laws that tied dress to social class. Gondolas run as usual: €90 for 30 minutes by day, €110 for 35 minutes from 19:00, per boat.

What date is Venice Carnival 2026, and when is 2027?

Venice Carnival 2026 ran from 31 January to 17 February 2026. Its theme was “Olympus – Alle origini del gioco” (“Olympus – the origins of play”), chosen to mark the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. According to the official Carnival press office, the opening weekend included the Festa Veneziana on 1 February, with a water parade along the Grand Canal.

Venice Carnival 2027 is listed on the official site as 23 January to 9 February 2027. The detailed programme of events had not been published on 27 October 2026; on 19 October 2026 the organisers opened applications for artists and performers. Check the official site for the full calendar before you book.

The dates move every year because Carnival is tied to Easter. It always ends on Shrove Tuesday (Martedì Grasso), the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.

Where is the Carnival festival celebrated?

The Venice Carnival takes place across the historic city. St Mark’s Square is its main stage, and the Grand Canal hosts the water parades. With about 3 million visitors a year, according to Wikipedia, it is one of the best-known carnivals in the world.

Highlights include:

• The water parade on the Grand Canal on the opening weekend.
• The “most beautiful mask” contest (la maschera più bella), judged by a panel of international costume and fashion designers.
• Balls and dinner shows in palaces. The official site lists an official dinner show at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi.

Why do they wear masks in Venice during Carnival?

Masks let people hide who they were. In everyday Venice, sumptuary laws set what people could wear according to their job and their social class. During Carnival those rules were suspended. With a mask on, a noble and a servant looked the same, and anyone could dress as they liked.

Mask-making was a proper trade. The mask makers, the mascherari, had their own guild, with a statute dated 10 April 1436.

The main Venetian mask types, as described by Wikipedia:

Mask	What it looks like
Bauta	White or gilded, with no mouth so the wearer can eat and drink; often worn with a tricorn hat
Moretta	A small black velvet mask once worn by patrician women, held in place by biting a button
Volto (larva)	A full-face mask, today usually porcelain or plastic; the iconic modern mask
Colombina	A half-mask over the eyes, nose and upper cheeks, named after a maid in the commedia dell’arte
Medico della peste	The long-beaked “plague doctor” mask; it became a Carnival mask only in modern times

A short history of the Venice Carnival

Tradition links the Carnival to 1162, when the Venetian Republic beat Ulrich II, Patriarch of Aquileia. The festival became official during the Renaissance.

In 1797, under Emperor Francis II, the Carnival was outlawed and masks were strictly forbidden. It stayed away for almost two centuries. In 1979 the Italian government revived it as a showcase for Venice’s history and culture.

Gondola rides during the Venice Carnival

You can take a gondola ride during Carnival. The fare does not change: the City of Venice sets it at €90 (about $100) for 30 minutes from 09:00 to 19:00 and €110 (about $123) for 35 minutes from 19:00. The fare is per boat, so a group in costume shares one fare.

Two things to plan for:

• Cold. In February, Venice averages a high of about 9 °C and a low of about 2 °C (1991–2020 normals). On the water it feels colder, so bring a warm coat over your costume. See Venice in February.
• Early dark. Sunset in mid-February is at about 17:36. An evening ride after 19:00 is in full darkness, with the city lit up. You can book an evening gondola ride ahead or compare gondola rides for a daytime slot.

The 2026 access fee for day-trippers applied only between 3 April and 26 July, so it did not cover Carnival. The 2027 calendar had not been published on 27 October 2026; check the official access fee portal.

Planning the rest of your stay? Read our Venice itinerary and things to do in Venice.