2026 edition of the Venice Carnival, from 31 January to 17 February, on the theme “Olympus – Alle origini del gioco”.
Venice Carnival 2026: « Olympus – Alle origini del gioco »
The 2026 edition of the Venice Carnival runs from Saturday 31 January to Tuesday 17 February 2026. Its official theme is « Olympus – Alle origini del gioco » (« At the origins of play »), a tribute to the Olympic year that explores the link between play, competition, body and mind - a symbolic bridge between Venice and the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The programme follows the usual structure of the Venice Carnival: grand opening on 31 January, water parade and Festa Veneziana on the water on 1 February, Giovedi Grasso on 12 February, closing on Shrove Tuesday (17 February) with the Svolo del Leon.
Source: official Venice Carnival website (carnevale.venezia.it).