Carnival of Venice

Masks, costumes and Piazza San Marco at its most theatrical, from 23 January to 9 February 2027.

The 2027 Carnival of Venice runs from 23 January to Shrove Tuesday, 9 February. The official programme of street shows is concentrated on the weekends of 23 to 24 and 30 to 31 January, then runs daily from 4 to 9 February, which is when the city is at its fullest. Masked costumes gather in Piazza San Marco and along the Riva degli Schiavoni, and the ticketed balls and dinner shows sell out early. To photograph costumes without the crush, go out early in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive. Book a room in the historic centre months ahead; Mestre on the mainland is cheaper, but late nights mean a long trip back. Eat frittelle, the sugared carnival fritters that bakeries sell only at this time of year.