Latest News Venice Carnival 2023: appointments and curiosities

February 4 – 21, 2023: for 18 days Venice will be full of events for adults and children. What are the must-see events to experience the Venetian Carnival?

Main events of the Venetian Carnival

As per tradition, the most important days are Maundy Thursday and Shrove Tuesday; many initiatives are also held during all weekends of the carnival period.

To plan a trip to Venice during the carnival, it is definitely useful to know the calendar of the most important events and appointments of the Venetian carnival.

Feb. 5, 2023: Venetian Feast on Water (Rio di Cannaregio)

Feb. 15, 2023: Procession and Marie Festival (Garibaldi Street)

Feb. 21, 2023: presentation of the winner of the Mary of the Year competition (St. Mark’s Square)

Feb. 23, 2023: The Most Beautiful Mask Contest Final (St. Mark’s Square)

Neither the Angel Flight nor the Eagle Flight will take place this year. The decision was made by the city administration because of the construction sites in St. Mark’s Square. In compensation we point out two great returns:

The parades of masked floats throughout the city, from the islands of the lagoon – Lido, Pellestrina and Burano – to the mainland – Campalto, Mestre, Zelarino and Marghera

The Carnival of Culture: art and theater return to celebrate Carnival with a schedule of performances in the city’s cultural spaces

History and traditions

Among the above initiatives, one in particular refers to stories and images that are uncommon to those who do not live in Venice: the Maries . The Feast of the Maries is a re-enactment of a medieval festival and consists, today, of a parade in traditional dress of a number of young women at the end of which the most beautiful is elected. Even more interesting and articulate is the original festival, suppressed in 1379, in which young betrotheds were involved, including religious ceremonies, sumptuous dresses and piratical kidnappings.

Thus, from question to question, it turns out that the Carnival of Venice has its roots in very distant traditions that over time have been maintained, lost, resumed becoming an integral part of the city’s history → Find out more 

What does one do during the Venetian Carnival?

Many visitors come to Venice to show off their costumes (self-made or rented) by walking around San Marco and Rialto. The more affluent attend private masquerade parties held in renowned palaces such as Palazzo Pisani Moretta. But tourists can simply wear masks bought from stores in town or enjoy taking pictures of the best moments of the carnival.

Venetian children dress up and go to little parties in their parish premises. Or they walk around on the Riva degli Schiavoni all the way to St. Mark’s to see the spectacular costumes or have your picture taken.

Young people go to drink mulled wine going around Fields and bars according to the events organized in the various Sestieri.

The most popular Carnival events for Venetians are the Festa sull’acqua in the Rio di Cannaregio, with the water parade of the Rowing Associations and food and wine tours with Venetian specialties, and the Corteo e Festa delle Marie (Via Garibaldi). Both areas are popular and somewhat off the main tourist routes.

What do the Venetian Carnival masks look like?

The masks can be made of papier-mâché, glass, leather, plain or rich in color and decorated with gold leaf. Q uasi all fully cover their faces as a reminder of the times when carnival was an opportunity to act without being recognized, and participate in parties and dances in the streets and private homes.

What are the typical foods of Carnival in Venice?

Typical Venetian Carnival sweets are Venetian fritters with raisins and pine nuts called fritole, galani (also called chiacchiere) and fried cream. You can taste them in all bars and pastry shops in the city.

The Waldensian Guesthouse in Venice, one of the eight Waldensian Houses, is strategically located just a 10-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square to enjoy all the events of the Carnival and to visit the city on festival days.

To book your stay, write to info@foresteriavenezia.it We will be happy to accommodate you!