Venice Carnival 2027: Dates, Programme & Tips

In short: According to the official website, the Venice Carnival 2027 runs from 23 January to 9 February 2027, Shrove Tuesday. Some portals give 30 January as the start. The theme and the daily programme with the Festa delle Marie, the Flight of the Angel and parades had not been published as of 2 November 2026. The access fee in 2027 only starts on 26 March and does not affect Carnival.

Venice Carnival 2027: dates and status

Venice Carnival 2027 — dates and status
What	Detail	Status
Period	23 January to 9 February 2027 according to the official website; some portals give 30 January as the start	Check carnevale.venezia.it before booking
Shrove Tuesday	9 February 2027, end of Carnival; Ash Wednesday on 10 February	Confirmed
Theme 2027	Last year: “Olympus – alle origini del gioco”	Not announced
Opening	Last year: boat parade on the Grand Canal	Date and format open
Festa delle Marie, Flight of the Angel	Fixed parts of every Carnival	2027 dates not published
Access fee	2027: 72 days from 26 March to 15 August	Carnival falls before that

For 2027 we only give dates confirmed by the organisers or the city. The programme for individual days is still missing; we will add it as soon as it appears.

What belongs to the Venice Carnival

Opening on the water: Last year Carnival began with a colourful boat parade on the Grand Canal.
Festa delle Marie: The election of the Maria of the year; the twelve candidates are presented at the start and the crowning follows at the end.
Flight of the Angel: An angel glides on a rope from the Campanile to St Mark’s Square; it is a highlight of the first days, the 2027 dates are open.
Masks and costumes: In St Mark’s Square, at the Rialto Bridge and in the campi, visitors appear in costume; performances in public spaces are usually free.
Balls and dinner shows: Masked balls in palazzi are paid; prices and dates for 2027 depend on the organisers.

When is it busy, when quieter?

Weekends and Shrove Tuesday are usually the busiest, when many day visitors arrive. Weekdays and the time before the weekend are quieter. For accommodation: book early, especially for the weekends before 9 February. Carnival falls outside the period in which the 2027 access fee applies, see Venice access fee.

Practical notes

High water: Acqua alta can occur in winter, see Acqua alta.
Weather and clothing: January and February are cool and damp; notes on when to go are under Best time to visit Venice.
With kids: Costumes and parades appeal to children, the crowds in St Mark’s Square need planning, see Venice with kids.
Transport: Check timetable changes and strike notices with the operators before travelling, see Vaporetto.

Is Carnival right for you?

Venice Carnival — decision helper
Visitor type	Fit	Note
Photographers and costume fans	Very good	Masks and costumes in the campi; fewer crowds early in the morning
Couples	Good	Evening programme and balls; check costs and dates beforehand
Families with children	Good, with planning	Parades and performances; crowds at weekends
Those seeking quiet	Limited	Venice is busier during Carnival than at other times in winter
Visitors on a tight budget	Good	Public performances are usually free; balls and dinner shows are expensive

Frequently asked questions about the Venice Carnival 2027

When is the Venice Carnival 2027?

According to the official website, from 23 January to 9 February 2027. Some portals give 30 January as the start; check before booking.

What is the theme for 2027?

As of 2 November 2026 the theme had not been announced. Last year it was “Olympus – alle origini del gioco”.

When is Shrove Tuesday in 2027?

On 9 February 2027. Ash Wednesday follows on 10 February.

Do I have to pay the access fee during Carnival?

As far as we know, no: the fee days in 2027 start on 26 March.

Does Carnival cost admission?

Performances in the squares are usually free. Masked balls and dinner shows in palazzi are paid; prices for 2027 are open.

Is there a programme for 2027 yet?

Not yet. Dates for the Festa delle Marie, the Flight of the Angel and parades had not been published.