Venice Carnival 2025: When, Why, Where, What & How to Celebrate
Famous for beautifully crafted masks worldwide, the Venice Carnival is one of the most vibrant celebrations in Italy. Add the grand festival to your Italy tour, explore the history of ancient architecture, and participate in a series of magical and luxurious activities at this music and colors carnival. And what other exciting things will happen? How to join it? This 2025 Venice Carnival travel guide will give you the answer！
When is the Venice Carnival in 2025
The 2025 Venice Carnival will be held from February 22 to March 4, a relatively long festival, and the schedule may vary due to local conditions.
Carnival in Venice
Why Is Venice Carnival Worth Visiting
There is no doubt that the Venice Carnival is a fantastic cultural celebration, and it's a perfect opportunity to learn the long, glorious history behind the traditional custom.
It is a grand parade for everyone to join. You can also wear mysterious masks and fancy costumes like local people, singing and cheering in the square to celebrate a victory in which The Republic of Venice defeated the Patriarch of Aquileia, which is full of colors and luxurious glamour.
Where to Celebrate Carnival in Venice
When the celebration comes, everywhere is full of exuberant festival atmosphere. Here are some recommended sights to feel the carnival joyfulness:
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco is the center of this festival, where you can enjoy remarkable art performances and street orchestras. There will be a striking show, the Flight of the Angle, and the voting for the most beautiful Mary. After appreciating these activities, you can also visit Basilica di San Marco, which is in the main building of Piazza San Marco, to view the shimmering golden mosaics and explore historical stories and magical traditions.
Doge's Palace
Not very far from the Piazza San Marco, Doge's Palace is where you can go to an exclusive party, which has different prom themes per year. It is also the place where you are able to overlook the entire carnival scene of Piazza San Marco. Due to the carnival, its opening time will be 10:00 pm. While you finish your dinner, you can head there to engage in the most brilliant night.
The Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is the main waterway in Venice, where you can take a boat with carnival decorations through the picturesque city and relish diverting parades on both sides. In the evening, colorful lights come on, and acrobats perform on the stage in the moonlight. Another way to enjoy this tour is to sit in a tavern on the shore, savor a glass of wine, and immerse yourself in this wonderful show.
How to Join the Carnival Like Locals
You can take your time to partake in plentiful parades and carnival masquerades to enjoy this dynamic period. Music and dance are at the heart of this carnival, especially at Piazza San Marco, which is the main event venue. If you're interested, don't forget to pick up some fancy costumes and masks to join the joyful crowds.
Be bold enough to attend various events and celebrations, and locals will happily share their culture with you.
Happy Venice Carnival
What to Do During the Venice Carnival
Watch the Grand Opening
On the first weekend of carnival, an ornately decorated ship will sail through the Grand Canal to the Cannaregio district, which marks the beginning of the great carnival. Don't forget to dress in strange costumes, sing and dance on the shore, and be intoxicated by the enthusiastic festival atmosphere, filled with music, colors, and performances.
Devote the Best Festa Delle Marie
The Festa Delle Marie is genuinely an important parade. It's a beauty contest of twelve chosen young and elegant Venice girls who go on stage to show every year and then through the city in a lavish parade. At the end of the carnival, make your devotion to the most charming and beautiful girl.
Dress up in Exquisite Costumes
In this lively and alluring festival, it's exciting to have an elegant and intricate costume. What the Venetians now consider the most fashionable was popular in the 18th century in Rome. The paintings of some famous painters inspire them.
There are various incredible costumes and moldings in the street. For example, an insect costume with big wings and a Barbie costume with a long sword, and you can even see some reproductions of historical artifacts that some people wear. So, don't be shy and worry. Walk bravely down the street in your favorite clothes.
Tip: The exquisite costume is the most classical element of the carnival. People like to use clothing to express their creativity and free will; they respect all creation and culture, and any strange clothes are fun to wear.
Do Your Mystical Masks
On the street, you can see many people wearing various strange masks. If you also want a unique mask, you can go to a mask workshop to make your mask with simple or expensive materials. Regardless, you can hide so well that people won't recognize your true identity, since some masks can even change your voice. If you're confident and proud of your mask, consider joining the Best Mask Contest!
Tip: There's no restriction on everyone having to wear a mask. When people stroll through some street stores, they may select an exciting mask to wear. It's also a good idea to walk everywhere while taking photos of the most impressive masks!
Crafted Masks
What to Eat & Drink at Venice Carnival
Fritole
It's a specific doughnut of the carnival. It resembles a yellow fried pastry, including chocolate, grape raisins, cream, and other fillings. It smells delicious and tastes sweet. You can find it in most bakeries or pastry stores if you want to try it.
Aperol Spritz
After tasting the sweet pastries, a glass of Venice-origin drink can wash away the sweetness of your tongue. Venetians like to create a new drink with wine and fruit, which is called "spritz." Here, you can savor different kinds of spritz, each having a fresh taste and excellent experience.
Where to Stay During the Celebration
You can stay close to major attractions or a quiet area with local people. Of course, choose the one that suits you best.
San Marco
San Marco is a busy tourist center with complete services and convenient transport, also the home of plentiful parades and celebrations. Located in downtown, many main attractions and landmarks are within walking distance.
Dorsoduro
If you like art and history, you can stay in Dorsoduro, where you can find plenty of museums and sites, with an excellent location close to Piazza San Marco. It's also a good place to drink as there are many fantastic restaurants and bars that host carnival activities in the evening.
Castello
Even though it's the largest neighborhood in Venice, it's still relatively affordable. Because of the gainful location and sparse crowd, you can have a peaceful living environment and leisurely wander through the street during the festival.
Cannaregio
What's attractive about it is located in the station. There's also plenty of great food and spectacular sights. Its convenient transportation and the cheap price make it an ideal choice for many budget tourists.
Venice Carnival Travel Tips
Being well prepared before traveling can make you enjoy the perfect travel experience. Here are some tips you may need when traveling in Venice.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Due to cars not being allowed to enter the city, it's recommended to wear a pair of comfortable shoes to reduce tiredness.
Bring Your Coat
It is helpful to bring a coat or scarf during your Venice visit, especially when visiting a church, which can help you cover your arms and keen appropriately to show respect for the local culture and religion.
Get up Early
Carnival is the time when Venice has a lot of tourists. You can get up before seven o'clock if you prefer to avoid crowds or to find a better spot for your memory photos.
Carry Cash
Venetians are more accustomed to using cash. Carrying some cash with you is recommended to buy drinking water or local snacks, which can also be convenient when using a public toilet.
Enjoy Your Unforgettable Carnival Experience
The Venice Carnival is a substantial visual and color feast. More importantly, carnival indicates not only the end of cold and dark winter but also the last moment of freedom before Lent. Exquisite costumes, unique masks, and historical architecture make the Venice Carnival an unforgettable experience. If you also want to witness the romantic and charming Venice, please plan your perfect Italy trip with Odynovo.
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