Venice's Carnival 2025 - 300 Years since Casanova
Carnival 2025 - Venice Celebrates 300 Years Since the Birth of Casanova
This year, the Carnival of Venice celebrates 300 years since the birth of Giacomo Casanova. Here is the full schedule of masquerade balls and exclusive parties. During the Carnival period, Venice brims with art and festivities, transforming into an open-air theater.
The 2025 Carnival will be particularly special as it is dedicated to the man who knew Venice’s secrets and its hedonistic spirit the best. Among its alleys, hidden streets, and sumptuous palaces, who knows what stories this city could tell. Three centuries after his birth, this year's Carnival is called “The Time of Casanova,” dedicated to this iconic figure in Venetian history. Giacomo Casanova, born in 1725, was renowned for his wit and adventurous spirit, leaving an indelible mark on the 18th century. The Venice Carnival 2025 kicks off on February 14th, Valentine's Day, and runs until March 4th, 2025, with Venice providing a backdrop of love and magic. Inspired by “Histoire de ma vie,” his autobiography, the Venice Carnival is an excuse to celebrate art, culture, and the joy of living.
The Most Important Events of Venice Carnival 2025
The Opening Night This year, the Carnival begins with a special evening celebrating love and lovers.
Sunday, February 16th: A Water Parade The celebrations move to the water with one of the most emblematic events of the Carnival: the Water Parade of traditional boats.
As tradition dictates, the decorated historical boats will be rowed. Leading the regatta will be the famous “pantegana,” a significant figure in Venice’s battle against the plague. For the entire duration of the Carnival, Venice will be filled with outdoor shows in every corner, square, and piazza. The “Venice Carnival Street Show” offers a rich schedule of events in Venice and the lagoon islands.
City-Wide Celebrations Celebrations will take place throughout the city, with outdoor performances in the squares and streets. The allegorical floats will parade through the lagoon islands and surrounding areas: Pellestrina, Lido di Venezia, and Burano. The Commedia dell’Arte returns with international comedians, the official ball at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, the 12 beautiful Marie, and the carnivals of the world on the stage of Piazza San Marco with their costumes.
Masquerade Balls and Exclusive Parties
The Evening at Baglioni Hotel
Just steps from Piazza San Marco, the historic Baglioni Hotel Luna brings Carnival traditions to life with a masquerade ball that begins with an exclusive cocktail.
History, culture, and authentic dances with characters from the Commedia dell’Arte. The evening continues in the elegant Marco Polo Hall, a true artistic gem with original frescoes by the Tiepolo School, featuring a sophisticated dinner accompanied by entertainment reminiscent of old Venetian parties; including a dance repertoire by two Minuet masters and the presence of a caricaturist. The celebrations continue into the night with a DJ set.
Flirting Art at Hotel Heureka "Secrets of Lovers, Casanova, and the European Courts" is the name of the ball organized by Hotel Heureka on Saturday, February 22nd.
A 18th-century-style party brought to the present day, where opera singers narrate past tales of secrets and desires.
The Ball at Hotel Metropole “Marrakech en vogue 1930” In the spaces of the Metropole, Antonio Vivaldi used to give music lessons in the 18th century. For Carnival 2025, the Hotel Metropole is preparing to offer its guests an experience where the suggestions of colonial Morocco blend with the scents of spices and the colors of Marrakech markets.
Guests will be guided through Berber rugs, ceramics, antique silver, and fragrances. Starting with an aperitif, the journey continues through the unique flavors of North Africa: couscous, tajine, oranges, and mint tea traditionally served in glass cups.
Grand Gala at Hotel Ca' Sagredo, “To the Pleasures of Love” On Sunday, February 16th, 2025, Palazzo Sagredo will host the Grand Gala dedicated to Giacomo Casanova, themed on the pleasures of love and life. In its luxurious 16th-century noble rooms, a placée dinner in period costume will take place, accompanied by soprano Anna Sanachna.
Complete Calendar of Main Events:
February 14-22-23-27-28 & March 1-2-3-4: The most elegant living room in the world, Piazza San Marco, becomes the stage for this year's theme: "The Time of Casanova"
Valentine's Day at Piazza San Marco:
Friday, February 14 (7:00 PM - 11:00 PM): Venice, usually known as the city of love, becomes the city of tango. The evening, led by Maurizio Agosti, will be heated by dances inspired by Casanova's passion.
Venetian Feast – Sunday, February 16: The 2025 Venice Carnival Water Parade - The water parade of traditional boats along the Grand Canal will be led by the papier-mâché “Pantegana.” A typical Venetian feast with a hundred colorful rowing boats. The masked rowers will gather at the Dogana around 11:00 AM, then head to the Rialto area where a choreography will envelop the bridge before the grand celebration at Erbaria.
Arsenale Water Show: February 21-22-23-27-28 & March 1-2-3-4 - Arsenale Darsena Grande, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The Arsenale will be the protagonist with an extraordinary 30-minute show that will revive Giacomo Casanova's adventures. Paintings and images capturing Casanova’s essence, narrated by Henriette, the only woman he loved but never possessed.
A journey through his life, not a historical account, but a succession of evocative paintings and images capturing Casanova’s essence, narrated by Henriette, the only woman he ever loved and never possessed.
Arsenale Carnival Experience: February 21-22 & March 2-4 - Tese dell'Arsenale, 11:00 PM. The most beloved venue for young people returns to enliven the nights of the Venice Carnival in the Tese of the Arsenale. This year, this nighttime entertainment hub will once again animate the Venice Carnival in its immense Tese.
Venice Carnival Street Show: February 22, 2025 - Venice, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM. The distributed Carnival returns to all the “Cities of Venice”: in the squares and streets, with the visionary creativity of artists through the emotion of street art. A widespread program of stationary performances of music, circus, theater, and clowning that animate the historic center. The “Venice, or the art of comedy” series, curated by the Pantakin Company, returns to Venice's most iconic locations. There will be comic performances by various national and international companies.
The Feast of the Marie: The Water Parade – February 22, 2025 - Venice, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM. Along the Grand Canal, the water parade of gondolas will showcase 12 girls selected for the Feast of the Marie. The water parade will end at Piazza San Marco, where, traditionally, the 12 Marie will be officially presented to the public for the iconic photo (around 4:30 PM).
Carnival Official Dinner Show 2025: February 22-23-27-28 & March 1-2-3-4, 2025 - Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM. Seduction, passion, and intrigue will run wild through the halls of Ca’ Vendramin Calergi for an unforgettable evening inspired by 18th-century Venice. We will experience a night in the heart of Venice in the 18th century, as in Casanova's time, filled with seduction, passion, and intrigue. In the halls of Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, facing the magical Grand Canal, we will be transported to another era with light shows, themed sounds, and performances. With sumptuous costumes, artistic performances, and indulgent culinary experiences, the Carnival Dinner Show is an immersive experience that celebrates passion and fun above all else.
Parade and Official Presentation of the Mary of the Venice Carnival: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 - Piazza San Marco, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM. As tradition dictates, Mardi Gras is the last day of celebrations. Meeting at 2:15 PM at San Giacomo dall’Orio on the stage, where the 12 Marie will be welcomed by drums, the Doge, and his court. At 3:00 PM, they will board gondolas heading towards Piazza San Marco in a water parade along the Grand Canal. At 4:00 PM, on the stage of San Marco, the 2025 Maria will be presented to the public, wearing a dress made for the occasion.
