Venice Carnival 2026 Brought the Olympic Spirit to the City of Masks

Venice never needs much of an excuse to put on a mesmerizing show, but this year, the iconic Carnival that started on Jaunary 31 took on a whole new layer of meaning, drawing inspiration from the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy. The result? A celebration honoring centuries of tradition while nodding to themes like unity, competition, and human achievement. You still have until Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the last day of the carnival, to visit!

Venice Carnival masls. Photo: Shutterstock

If you’re obsessed with the masks, the elaborate costumes, and the sense that the entire city has turned into an open-air stage, you won’t be disappointed.

However, you should also brace yourself for a subtle athletic thread running through the program, with performances that play with ideas of movement and strength, friendly rivalries between costumed groups, and artistic installations that reflect the spirit of the Games.  

The thoughtful blend of old and new will not ruin Venice as we all know it, but it will show us the city from a slightly different angle. For travelers who want more than photos in St. Mark’s Square, you will find ways to get closer to the heart of the celebration. Instead of watching from the sidelines, you can take part in experiences that add context and depth to the spectacle.

St. Mark's Square in Venice at night. Photo: Shutterstock

For 64 EUR and up, you can also prepare for guided walks tracing the history of Carnival, introducing you to figures like Giacomo Casanova. You will also get the chase to sit down for a cappuccino and a traditional frittella while hearing stories about how masks once allowed Venetians to blur social boundaries.  

Venice Carnival masks. Photo: Atlas Studio / Shutterstock

If you prefer something hands-on, you can join a mask decoration workshop (from 53 EUR) and create your own piece to take home. It is a simple idea, but it changes the way you see the costumes around you once you understand the craft behind them.

For a livelier evening, there is a Carnival pub crawl through historic campos, where you move from bar to bar and experience how locals celebrate (from 69 EUR).

Venetian Carnival on Gran Canal. Photo: Shutterstock

Or you might opt for a private gondola ride, drifting past palazzi as music and laughter echo across the canals (prices starting at 152 EUR). And then there are the masquerade balls. These are the nights many people dream about.

You can also look forward to formal dinner shows held in frescoed halls, as well as a Carnival party cruise aboard a Venetian galleon sailing past Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Costumes, candlelight, live performances, and dancing until late make these evenings feel cinematic.