Carnival 2027 at a glance
The organizer lists the 2027 Carnival from 23 January to 9 February 2027. That is the official period. St Mark's Square is the best-known stage of the festival, but the square also stays a public space with its usual rules, and individual events change from year to year.
This page is independent and is not run by the organizer, the city or any venue. Dates for single events on the square depend on the organizer's program. Check that program before you plan a day around one performance, and do not carry a date over from an earlier year.
What the organizer has published
The overall period is fixed. The details follow.
Street shows
On 19 October 2026 the organizer announced street shows for 23 to 24 January, 30 to 31 January and 4 to 9 February 2027 in various squares and courtyards. The call for artists and performers was open then, so the list of acts was still being put together. This is not a stage plan for St Mark's Square.
Flight of the Angel and mask contest
For events such as the Flight of the Angel (Volo dell'Angelo) and the mask contest, use the organizer's current program for dates and times, not the schedule of an earlier year.
Entry to the square
Check the organizer's current notes on reservations, capacity and tickets before the event. Do not assume you can always walk in during an event, and do not assume you need to pay. A dinner show sold under the Carnival name is a separate offer and is not an entry ticket to the square.
Our picks: carnival mask workshops
Two classes where you decorate your own carnival mask.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Papier-mâché carnival mask workshop
You decorate a papier-mâché mask with paints and materials provided, and take it home. An apron is included.
Check availability →
Carnival mask decorating class on the waterfront
A 75-minute class with a mask maker. All materials are included.
Check availability →Tours around St Mark's Square
Guided walks and tickets for the square and the buildings around it, with live prices and availability.
Rules on the square during Carnival
The organizer's visitor page asks for respect, especially in the St Mark's area.
Sitting and picnics
The season information for 2026 bans picnics and sitting on the ground and on monuments, church steps, bridges, fountains and quay edges. It names the St Mark's area as a special focus. A café table is not the same thing as the ground.
Pigeons, swimming and clothing
Feeding pigeons is banned. So are swimming or jumping into canals and the basin of St Mark, and walking bare-chested or in swimwear. The same ban applies in costume season.
Fines
The organizer's portal gives a general range of €25 to €500, plus possible removal, without pricing each offense. Older single amounts exist from 2023, so read them as old figures. The rules page has the details.
Rules on St Mark's Square →Winter weather and high water
Carnival falls in the cold season.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Average monthly rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.6 °C | −0.1 °C | 47.0 mm |
| February | 8.6 °C | 0.8 °C | 48.3 mm |
These figures come from an older climate series for 1971 to 2000, so they are a guide and not a forecast. Pack warm layers and shoes you can stand in for hours.
The tide matters too. In 2026 the barriers were raised 30 times between 28 January and 20 February, and the lagoon authority called that series exceptional. Parts of the square can be wet in a high-water episode. See the Venice best-time guide for the city-wide picture.
Acqua alta on the square →Practical points
Where to base yourself and how to move around.
Getting to the square
Line 1 on the Grand Canal stops at San Marco Vallaresso and San Zaccaria. Walking from the station takes about 30 minutes without luggage, and the lanes get crowded on festival days. Check the current timetable before you go.
Getting to St Mark's Square →Where to stay
Rooms close to the square are in demand during Carnival. Decide on your dates early, then compare areas.
Where to stay near San Marco →Indoor time
When it is cold or wet, the Museo Correr gives you a few hours inside. The standard combined museum ticket costs €35 in 2026, and early online booking can bring it to €30 under set conditions. The Campanile has its own entry, with a published rate of €15.
Museo Correr →
Venice Carnival: frequently asked questions
When is Venice Carnival 2027?
The organizer lists 23 January to 9 February 2027. Street shows are announced for 23 to 24 January, 30 to 31 January and 4 to 9 February.
Is entry to St Mark's Square free during Carnival?
Check the organizer's current notes on entry, capacity and tickets before the event. A dinner show is a separate offer and does not buy entry to the square.
When is the Flight of the Angel in 2027?
Use the organizer's current program for the date and time. Dates from earlier years do not carry over.
Can I wear a costume on the square?
Yes, but the usual rules still apply. Walking bare-chested or in swimwear is banned, as are picnics on the ground, steps and monuments, and feeding pigeons.
How cold is it during Carnival?
In the older 1971 to 2000 series, January averages a high of 6.6 °C and a low of −0.1 °C. February averages 8.6 °C and 0.8 °C. Treat that as a guide, not a forecast.