Venice Carnival 2026: dates, events, and costs

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Venice Carnival 2026 program and events

The official Carnevale di Venezia programme is long and frankly a bit overwhelming, with pages of listings for every single day. Below you’ve got a simple day‑by‑day rundown of the key highlights for Venice Carnival 2026:

Main free events at Venice Carnival 2026

You can experience a big chunk of Carnival without paying for tickets, beyond your travel and anything you choose to eat, drink or rent. Typical free events include:

• The Festa Veneziana water parade, where decorated boats glide past crowds along the canal banks.
• Costume contests and stage shows in Piazza San Marco, plus other central squares that join the official programme.
• Street performances grouped under the Venice Carnival Street Show, spread across the historic centre.
• Neighbourhood parades with floats in the mainland and lagoon areas
• Seasonal ice rinks, which are free to enter as a spectator, with a fee if you want to skate or hire skates.

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Venice Carnival 2026 balls, gala dinners and parties

The balls are the ultra‑theatrical side of Carnival: candlelit palazzi, 18th‑century music, and people waltzing in full period dress. For 2026, you’ll see a few clear types of events:

• High‑end masquerade balls in historic palaces
  These include Il Ballo del Doge, the Carnival in Love Grand Ball, or The Ball of Dreams, all heavy on choreography, scenography and strict costume codes in baroque salons
• Themed gala dinners and “experience” evenings
  These usually combine a seated dinner with performances, often built around characters like Casanova or the Doge. In 2026, that includes the official Dinner Show “Ambrosia’s Chant”, Carnival Extravaganza and the various Minuetto evenings at Hotel Monaco.
• Hotel‑based parties and more relaxed masked nights
  Places like Hotel Saturnia, Hotel Principe and Palazzetto Pisani lean into themed parties with costumes, cocktails and a mix of live music and DJ sets.

How much does Venice Carnival cost in 2026?

The Carnival itself is free, so you can technically just turn up and wander. The real cost is Venice in peak season, plus any paid events you decide to add. 

For a rough idea per person, excluding travel:

• Tight budget, staying in Mestre or a very simple guesthouse and focusing on free events: around €70–€120 per day for accommodation, food, local transport and the odd workshop or museum entry.
• Mid‑range in the historic centre plus one paid event: roughly €150–€250 per day across a weekend.
• Big splurge with a top‑tier ball and costume hire:
  • The official Dinner Show at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi runs from about €550–€600 per person for dinner and show
  • High‑end balls like those in historic palazzi can start around €600–€700 per person and easily run higher.
  • Once you add a quality period costume (often several hundred euros), it’s very easy to be looking at €800–€1,200+ for that one “big night”.

Venice Carnival 2026 tickets and packages

You do not need a ticket just to “enter” Venice Carnival or to watch the main outdoor parades and street performances. Tickets come into play for:

• Private masquerade balls and gala dinners in palaces and hotels.
• Specific concerts, opera nights and special evening performances.
• Some museum events, guided tours and more curated “experience” evenings linked to Carnival.

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Venice Carnival 2026 costumes, masks and dress code

Dress is where you can really have fun, but the “rules” change depending on the setting. On the streets, you’ll see everything: elaborate 18th‑century outfits, DIY creations, cloaks over jeans, or just a simple eye mask and beanie. At prestigious balls, the expectation is a full period costume with a wig, mask or at least a very dressy outfit that fits the historical vibe. 

If you want to blend in without going overboard:

• A long dark coat or cloak, boots and gloves.
• A decent quality mask (preferably from a proper artisan, not a flimsy plastic one).
• A hat – even a simple tricorn‑style piece looks great in photos.

Where to stay during Venice Carnival 2026

The “best” area depends on how much you value sleeping in peace versus stepping out straight into Carnival chaos. 

• In the historic centre, staying around San Marco, Rialto or San Zaccaria puts you in the thick of it.
• Dorsoduro and parts of Cannaregio offer a more local feel while still keeping you close to the action.
• On the lagoon but a bit quieter, Giudecca or parts of Castello can work well, especially if you like a more residential vibe.
• Across the water, Mestre on the mainland is where many budget‑conscious visitors and workers base themselves, then commute in each day. 

Check out holiday rentals in Venice to find your carnival base

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