Venice Carnival: … bring a mask, rent a mask and prepare to have a lifetime event !

Updated: June 2023

Venice is widely known for its opulent annual festivities, the Venice Carnival or “Carnevale di Venezia.” First held in the late 11th century as a celebration for an important military victory, the gala event became a tradition for all classes of society to party together, regardless of class, gender, or political power.

With everyone wearing carnival masks, social divisions seemed to disappear, and even some impropriety in behavior became acceptable. In fact, Casanova was said to have been a popular figure who embraced the grandiose masked costume parties of Venice.

The popular celebration was terminated when Napoleon and his troops brought an end to the Venetian Republic in 1797. For over 182 years, the desired Venice Carnival lay dormant as the city slowly reversed into an obscure Italian city.

In the 1970s, in an attempt to revive the suffering city, the Italian government decided to bring back Europe’s most famous festivity. It hoped to restore the economic downturn and revitalize tourism in Venice.

The rebirth of the Carnival of Venice in 1979 proved to be a major success. Held with grand elegant carnival masks, a parade of beautiful couture costumes, an awards ceremony, and wonderful food and drink, the Carnival of Venice was reborn into modern-day Italy.

The masquerade balls and fashion shows, all sporting elaborate carnival masks, lay the groundwork for the festival’s aura. With 30,000 people attending the Carnival of Venice daily, the measure of success each year rests with the private gala balls and parties.

The last weekend of the carnival hosts the carnival mask competition judged by a jury of international fashion and costume designers. The winner is crowned “La Maschera piu bella,” given plenty of attention and envy, and honorably marked in the record books for that year.

Today, the Venice Carnival has grown into a much sought-after event in Italy and Venice; advanced bookings are almost a necessity to ensure attendance at most private gala balls or parties. Practically all exquisite balls come complete with a several-course dinner, drinks, and wonderfully elaborate entertainment. Both private and public Carnivale events offered are worth attending ….. bring a mask or rent one and prepare for a lifetime event!