Of the many carnival celebrations around the world, the Carnival of Venice has a unique mystique. The magical Italian city takes on a surreal ambiance as it brims with elaborately dressed posers, masked revelers and mere onlookers. In 2015, the Carnival of Venice will run from January 31 to February 17, but the weekends – particularly the last weekend – hold the most events and excitement.

The Gran Teatro, a large stage set up in Piazza San Marco, is the center of activity with a nonstop program of shows, parades, concerts and international guests. The crowds can be intense, especially during the weekends, but other carnival parades and events are also held throughout the six sestieri (neighborhoods) that flank the Grand Canal.

Favorite Events during the Carnival of Venice

The Best Masked Costume Contest epitomizes the spirit of Carnival: to leave the rules and roles of everyday life behind with the cloak of anonymity a masked costume provides. Contests are held twice daily at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm at the Gran Teatro of Piazza San Marco. The audience votes and qualifiers compete in the Gran Final on Sunday, February 16.

Fiesta delle Marie is a foot parade of the twelve “Marias” wearing traditional Venetian period costumes. In days of old, the Venetian Doge offered twelve beautiful, yet humble girls magnificent jewels as a bridal dowry.

Arsenal Nights is a completely free program of evening entertainment that includes magic, theater, music and fireworks events held at the interesting architectural setting of the Arsenale, Venice’s historic shipyard.

The Eagle Flight or Volo dell’Angel (flight of the angel) is a traditional favorite when a particularly beautiful or accomplished young woman rides a zipline – in costume, of course – down from the top of the campanile into the stage in Piazza San Marco. The Eagle of Carnival 2014 was Carolina Kostner, Olympic bronze medal at the Olympics in Sochi.

La maschera più bella (the most beautiful mask) is held the last weekend of the Carnival of Venice. This traditional contest is judged by a panel of international costume and fashion designers.

To Mask or Not to Mask

In the eighteenth century and earlier, Venetian society operated under a rigid social hierarchy. Masks were worn so that citizens could indulge in their transgression of choice, either within their caste or in partnership with a forbidden partner, without being recognized.

During the Carnival of Venice wearing fanciful masks or bauta, flowing cloaks called tabarro and elaborate costumes is all part of the fun. Disguises are certainly not required, but it adds to the unique experience. At the least, you should consider donning a bauta. Masks are available for purchase from shops on every corner throughout the city. For a dramatic creation, visit a traditional mascarei (mask maker) to purchase a work of art that is much more than a souvenir, or you can opt for the plain white volto favored by many eighteenth century Venetians. Costumes ranging from elegant to odd can be purchased or rented if you want to go all in.

Carnival of Venice Balls

The Grand Masquerade Balls give guests an opportunity to experience the opulence (and decadence?) of Venetian aristocracy of old. These spectacular parties take place in a private 15th century Venetian palace directly on the beautiful Grand Canal. Guests arrive by boat, dressed in traditional Venetian costumes and masks for a sumptuous gala dinner, entertainment, drinks and dancing. While all of the other carnival events such as theater, music, parades and people watching are free, tickets to the Grand Balls come with a stiff price tag (starting from €490 per person, approx. $625).

The Carnival of Venice is not particularly wild, although it is very crowded. Accommodations skyrocket in price due to high demand and if you want to stay in Venice proper during Carnival, you’ll want to plan now for 2016. The Carnival of Venice transforms this already unique city into something even more strange and wonderful.

To learn more about travel to Venice, contact the Italy experts at Covington Travel.