The Venice Carnival is, beyond all doubts, the unchallenged highlight of the annual calendar of the lagoon. This is also the one event which draws the attention of the entire world to Venice, tourists flocking to the lagoon in tens of thousands each day in order to enjoy the entertainment opportunities occasioned by this major happening.

The Carnival does not have a fixed date, since the period it is held in depends on the Easter. However, as a rule, it is organized in February or March, extending on an interval of about two weeks. For foreigners, the Carnival is the ideal opportunity to discover Venice in its most symbolic expression. Thus, it is customary for participants to wear the famous Carnival masks. The industry of mask production in Venice has extended and grown in the course of history, such that, at present, there are several types of masks one can opt for while shopping for an adequate outfit: volto (or larva), which are the most unpretentious of all, are meant to cover the face exclusively, whereas bauta covers the forehead and the chin alike, being also provided with a hood and a cap. The Carnival costume can also be complemented by a tabarro (cloak), and the tricorns can also make up for a great disguise idea.

The tradition of wearing a mask is contemporary with the historical beginnings of the Carnival: ever since the 13th century, the Carnival has been standing out as an opportunity for the members of all social and working classes of Venice to hide their identity and to be able to blend in and socialize with their fellow citizens without the boundaries of the daily class distinctions.

At present, tens of thousands of foreigners come to Venice in order to enjoy the entertainment opportunities, dancing marches, music concerts and acrobatic performances which fill up the streets and public venues of Venice. Of course, the mass entertainment is complemented by exclusive events, such as the numerous balls organized at sundry palaces or cultural institutions of the city (for instance, the Cavalchina Grand Dance at Teatro La Fenice or Ballo della Signoria thrown at Villa Foscarini Rossi).

In order to learn updated information on the following edition of the Venice Carnival, its theme, full program and structures involved in its organization, use the indications below:

Name:
Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia)
Address:
Venice, Italy
Date:
various dates (February or March)
Website:
www.carnevale.venezia.it
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