Carnival in Venice is planned to be held January 27 to February 13 in 2024. This is one of the most popular events of the year for travelers. Are you planning to visit the carnival next year? We decided to clarify what you should pay attention to when preparing for a trip to Venice.
🎭 Although the program of the carnival has not yet been published, the dates of the main events are already known, and you can already plan your trip to the Carnival in Venice.
☝ Keep in mind! This is a very popular event. Hotels and tickets start to book long before the carnival. Late arrivals get the worst places.
Dates of trip
Carnival will last more than three weeks. Few of us can afford to stay in Venice during this entire period. The most interesting events are held mainly on weekends, on Saturday and Sunday. You can choose any one carnival weekend if you can't stay in Venice for three weeks. Let's see what are the best days to travel to the Venice Carnival 2024.
The most interesting events are held on weekends. You should choose which days you would like to be in Venice.
The first weekend of the carnival will be Saturday 27 January and Sunday 28 January 2024.
On Saturday, the Grand Opening of the Carnival is usually held.
The water parade is traditionally the main event on the first Sunday.
It will be held in the Canaregio area (near the train station).
The "La Festa Veneziana" festival has been held on the first carnival weekend before. Perhaps the event will return to us next year.
The second weekend of the carnival will be Saturday 3 February and Sunday 4 February 2024.
On the second weekend, the main events of the carnival usually begin: the competition for the best carnival mask, the Festival of Mary (Festa delle Marie).
Traditionally, on the second Sunday of the carnival, the "Flight of the Angel" took place in St. Mark's Square, but we do not yet know whether this event will be held in 2024.
Also, many events will take place in different parts of the city.
The third weekend of the carnival will be Saturday 10 February and Sunday 11 February 2024.
The third weekend is usually full of interesting activities. These can be, for example: Wagon parade in Marghera, Mestre Carnival Street Show, "Flight of the donkey", competition for the best carnival mask, Festa delle Marie.
Also, many events will take place in different parts of the city: San Marco square, Mestre, Lido, Arsenal.
Tuesday 13 February 2024 will be the last day of the Venice Carnival. The traditional event on the last day is the Crowning of Mary. The Flight of the Lion (Svolo del Leon) is the symbolic closing of the carnival.
Wednesday February 14th is Valentine's Day. Perhaps the Venetians will organize something interesting for us on this day too?
Also during the days of the carnival there are several costumed balls (dinners). You need to buy a ticket in advance if you want to attend such an event.
Recommendation: do not remain only a spectator, become a participant in the carnival. To do this, it is enough to buy (make it yourself) a carnival mask, or rent a real carnival costume.
Book a hotel
If you are determined on which days you would like to visit Venice, then it's time to book your hotel. Where it is better to stay in Venice? The most convenient for tourists’ hotels are located next to St. Marko Square and on the banks of the Grand Canal. It is also convenient to choose a hotel near the train station. The central part of Venice is quite small, and it is not difficult to reach most places in the city from most hotels. Part of the city west of the Grand Canal is connected to the eastern part by only a few bridges. If you decide to stay in this part of the city, then better to choose a hotel that is located near the bridge. St. Mark's Square is located in the eastern part of the city (east of the Grand Canal).
- The first weekend of the carnival: Saturday 27 January and Sunday 28 January 2024.
- The second weekend of the carnival: Saturday 3 February and Sunday 4 February 2024.
- The third weekend of the carnival: Saturday 10 February and Sunday 11 February 2024
Sometimes it is more convenient for tourists to choose a hotel on the mainland of Venice. It is believed that the prices here are somewhat lower. Probably, you should not book a hotel on the islands that do not have connections to the city center (Giudecca, Lido).
Book a flight
Tickets for an airplane, bus or train you can buy yourself on the Internet (or sometimes at ticket offices). We suggest using one of the air ticket search services to find the flight that suits you. From many cities in Europe Venice can also be reached by bus and by rail.
Going to Venice on your car is not the best idea. You, most likely, will have problems with parking. You will have to walk on the central part of Venice on foot or by water transport.
Look also - Venice Marco Polo Airport.
What to do in Venice
What do you plan to do during the carnival in Venice? Most of the tourists walk along the embankments of the canals, inspect the sights, take pictures of interesting places and people in carnival costumes and make selfies. But there are more interesting proposals.
Create your carnival costume or carnival mask and take part in the competition. Participation in the competition is free of charge. The costume should match the theme of carnival. You must first register as a member. The theme of the festival and the link for registration will appear on the official website of the carnival in late 2017 or early 2018. (We will post the link here and in our Facebook group.)
In the days of the carnival in Venice, several costumed dinners and ball-masquerades are held. Tickets for these events should also be bought in advance.
You can buy a mask on the street in Venice and become a participant in the carnival. You can also buy or rent a carnival costume from a specialized company and walk along the embankments in such a suit. (Information on where to buy or rent a suit.)
Weather
The Venetian carnival takes place in the winter. This means that you should be dressed warmly enough. Frosts are possible in Venice at this time of year (sometimes). Do not forget take an umbrella (you can buy it on the place if necessary). The average daily air temperature in Venice in February is about 5°C.
Prepare for your trip to Venice:
- Book a place to stay in Venice (hotels, hostels, apartments).
- Buy a plane ticket to Venice.
- Book a transfer from the airport (port, train station).
- Buy (rent) a carnival costume.
- Venice Carnival 2024 - information for tourists.