Each winter, Venice goes back to the 18th century. Cloaked figures in painted masks fill its stone bridges, misty canals and grand marble squares.
Running from Saturday, 30 January to Tuesday, 9 February 2027, the Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) is one of Europe's most theatrical celebrations. Venice also runs a day-tripper access fee (Contributo di Accesso), though in 2025 and 2026 it applied only on set days from April to July, not during Carnival.
Book your vaporetto (waterbus) tickets and your hotel early, and check the 2027 fee calendar before you go, then read on for the dates, the mask history and how the day-tripper fee works.
Key dates and schedule for Venice Carnival 2027
Venice Carnival dates back to 1162. It flourished in the Renaissance, when masks let Venetians ignore social rank, gamble in secret and feast before the fasting of Lent. For 2027, the essential highlights follow this timeline:
- Saturday, 30 January 2027 (Opening Night): The floating water parade (Festa Veneziana sull'Acqua) illuminates the Cannaregio Canal. Elaborate floating stages carrying musicians and costumed acrobats glide through the water beneath arched footbridges.
- Sunday, 31 January 2027: The daytime regatta of historic Venetian rowing boats (Voga alla Veneta) cruises down the Grand Canal from Punta della Dogana to Cannaregio. Local bakeries distribute thousands of warm seasonal fritters (frìtole) and crunchy sweet pastries (galani).
- Saturday, 6 February 2027: The Procession of the Maries (Festa delle Marie). Twelve young Venetian women dressed in historical Renaissance silk gowns process from San Pietro di Castello along the waterfront to St. Mark's Square.
- Sunday, 7 February 2027: The Flight of the Angel (Volo dell'Angelo). At precisely 12:00 PM, the winner of the previous year's Festa delle Marie descends on a zip wire from the summit of St. Mark's Campanile bell tower down to the open-air stage in Piazza San Marco.
- Tuesday, 9 February 2027 (Fat Tuesday / Martedì Grasso): The grand finale, featuring the crowning of the 2027 Marie, the award for the Best Masked Costume, and the Flight of the Lion (Svolo del Leon), where an enormous canvas banner bearing Venice's winged lion flies up to the bell tower amid brass fanfare.
For a broader perspective on travel timing across the Italian peninsula, explore our complete seasonal guide on the best time to visit Italy.
Venice day-tripper access fee: rules, exemptions and costs
After trial runs, the City of Venice now charges its access fee (Contributo di Accesso di Venezia) on set peak days. In 2026 that meant 60 days between 3 April and 26 July, with no Carnival dates. The 2027 calendar may differ, so check the official calendar.
How the fee works
It applies to day-trippers entering the old city between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on set dates. The fee is charged per person per day:
| Booking timeline | Fee amount (per person) | Registration method |
|---|---|---|
| Booked 4 or more days in advance | €5.00 | Online via official municipal portal |
| Booked within 3 days of arrival | €10.00 | Online via official municipal portal |
| Unregistered entry penalty | €50.00 to €300.00 | Assessed by municipal ticket inspectors at check-points |
Who is exempt from paying the fee?
You don't have to pay the access fee if you meet any of these criteria:
- Overnight guests in Venice: If you stay overnight at a registered hotel, guesthouse, or holiday apartment within the Venice municipality (including historic Venice, Murano, Burano, the Lido, or mainland Mestre and Marghera), you are exempt from the day-tripper fee because you already pay the municipal tourist tax (tassa di soggiorno). However, you must still register online to generate an exemption QR code.
- Children under 14: Minors under age 14 do not pay and do not require registration; showing a valid ID or passport at checkpoints is sufficient.
- Veneto region residents: Residents of the Veneto region enter freely upon showing identification.
- Transiting travelers: Passengers transferring directly at Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, or Santa Lucia Station without exiting into the historic center are exempt.
To learn how other global cities are adopting similar visitor charges, read our complete analysis of tourist taxes and access fees.
Step-by-step registration
To get your QR code, go to the official Venice Access Fee Portal on your phone or laptop, where the form takes less than five minutes to fill in.
First, select "Pay the Access Fee" if you're a day visitor, or "Request Exemption" if you have a hotel booking. Next, enter your dates of visit, full name, and email address.
If you're claiming a hotel exemption, enter your accommodation name and reservation confirmation code. Finally, download the generated PDF or save the QR code directly into your smartphone digital wallet.
Municipal wardens conduct random electronic checks at Santa Lucia railway station, Piazzale Roma bus terminal, and major ferry docks. If you don't have your QR code ready to show, you'll face on-the-spot penalties.
Venetian masks: history, varieties and workshop visits
You cannot experience Carnival without understanding the craftsmanship behind authentic Venetian masks. Venice's mask-makers (mascareri) have had their own guild since 1436.
They shape papier-mâché (cartapesta) into detailed faces finished with gold leaf, feathers and lacquer. It's a living tradition that locals take deep pride in preserving.
Historic mask types
- The Bauta: The quintessential Venetian mask. Traditionally made of white papier-mâché or leather, it features a protruding lower jaw that allowed wearers to speak, eat, and drink without removing the disguise. Historically worn with a black tricorn hat (tricorno) and a heavy black silk cloak (tabarro).
- The Columbina: A delicate half-mask covering only the eyes, nose, and upper cheeks, held in place by ribbons or a handheld baton.
- The Medico della Peste (Plague Doctor): Originally worn by 17th-century physicians to protect against contagion, featuring a long hollow beak stuffed with aromatic herbs and glass eye openings. It became a permanent Carnival staple representing mortality and satire.
- The Volto (Larva): A simple oval white mask representing a ghost, traditionally worn with a hood.
Avoid cheap, stamped plastic replicas sold at souvenir stalls around the train station. Instead, visit the mask workshops (botteghe) of Dorsoduro and San Polo, such as Laboratorio San Marco or Ca' Macana.
You can watch papier-mâché masks being made or take a hands-on painting class. You'll find it's well worth the extra investment for a real keepsake.
Where to stay: Venice island versus Mestre
Securing accommodations during Carnival demands careful location analysis:
- San Marco & Castello: Puts you right at the heart of the daily masquerades and water parades. However, hotel rates hit annual peaks, and alleys become crowded by midday.
- Cannaregio & Dorsoduro: Offer a more authentic neighborhood rhythm with traditional wine bars (bacari), quieter bridges, and easy walking access to sights without constant tour groups.
- Mestre (Mainland): If lagoon hotel rates exceed your budget, hotels around Mestre railway station cost significantly less. Frequent commuter trains whisk you to Venice Santa Lucia in just 10 to 12 minutes for €1.45 per ride.
As of October 2026, a 3-star room in historic Venice costs €220 to €380 a night on Carnival weekends. In Mestre, on the mainland, it's €95 to €160.
Navigating Venice during Carnival week
Venice is a pedestrian archipelago with no cars, scooters, or bicycles. Getting around requires either walking or riding the municipal waterbus (vaporetto) operated by ACTV and coordinated through Venezia Unica.
- Vaporetto single tickets: Cost €9.50 for a 75-minute journey.
- ACTV Time Travel Cards: If you plan to ride more than two boats per day or explore Murano and Burano, buy a 24-hour (€25), 48-hour (€35), or 72-hour (€45) travel pass. You'll save substantial money compared to individual single-ride fares.
- Crowd flow regulations: On busy Carnival weekends, local police set up one-way pedestrian routing across narrow bottleneck bridges, including the bridges connecting Piazza San Marco to the Rialto. Follow posted green arrows and respect local directions.
Daily budgets for Carnival in Venice
Venice is never a cheap destination, but thoughtful daily spending keeps costs manageable:
- Access fee / Tourist tax: €5 to €10 per day for day-trippers on fee days (none fell in Carnival in 2026); €3.50 to €5.00 per night municipal lodging tax for hotel guests.
- Meals and snacks: Start your morning with an espresso and warm frìtola pastry at a local bakery for €3.50 to €5.00. For lunch, order two or three cicchetti (Venetian small tapas) and a small glass of house wine (ombra) at a traditional bacaro for €8 to €14. A sit-down dinner with seafood risotto ranges from €28 to €45 per person.
- Masquerade balls: Private historic palace galas (such as the famous Ballo del Doge) command premium tickets starting from €800 to over €2,500, including period costume rental and multi-course banquets.
To map out your walking routes between historic churches and bacari stops, take advantage of our interactive trip planner.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to wear a costume to attend Venice Carnival?
Not at all. The vast majority of spectators wear normal warm winter clothing, often accessorized with a simple half-mask or decorative hat purchased from an artisan shop. Costumed participants love posing for photographers in St. Mark's Square.
What happens if it floods (Acqua Alta) during Carnival?
Venice's MOSE mobile flood barrier system protects the historic city against high tides over 110 cm. If lower-level flooding touches St. Mark's Square during unusually high tides, municipal workers install elevated wooden walkways (passerelle) so visitors can cross without rubber boots.
Is Venice Carnival suitable for children?
Yes. Children enjoy the colorful street performers, stilt-walkers, and costume parades. St. Mark's Square hosts daytime children's mask contests, and the atmosphere during daylight hours is friendly and safe.
Can I buy access fee tickets at Venice Santa Lucia station?
Yes, automated ticket kiosks and staffed assistance desks operate outside Santa Lucia train station and at Piazzale Roma. However, purchasing on the day of arrival costs €10 instead of the €5 advance-booking rate.
