The Venice Carnival 2026, scheduled for January 31 to February 17, fits into the Olympic year with a theme that evocatively combines history, art, and sport, celebrating the universal value of play, competition, and challenge as expressions of creativity and the human spirit.
The chosen theme, “Olympus – The Origins of the Game,” recalls the imagery of classical mythology and the ideal of balance between body and mind, but at the same time looks to the Venice of the past, when Carnival transformed the city into a vast open-air theater. Challenges, acrobatic displays, games of skill, and collective performances took place among the city’s streets and squares—events whose intensity and popular participation anticipated the spirit of the modern Olympics.
Masks, costumes, and sets will thus become the common thread of a rich program of cultural events, shows, historical reenactments, and happenings spread throughout the city, engaging residents and visitors from around the world.
Follow all the updates to discover the official program of the Venice Carnival 2026 and enjoy a unique experience at the most famous and fascinating Carnival in the world.
