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Getting Ready for Carnival 2026? First things first: Venice Carnival 2026 tickets.
Get all the inside scoop on this guide from Venice Insider Guide: here you'll find all the need-to-know about Venice Carnival 2026 tickets prices, how they work, what events cost, and everything else you need to plan an unforgettable Carnival experience in Venice, running from January 31st to February 17th, 2026.
Venice Carnival 2026 tickets
Before discussing Venice Carnival 2026 tickets, we need to explore everything there is to know about the event.
The Venice Carnival isn't just any festival - it's a city-wide extravaganza where Venice itself becomes a living, breathing theatrical stage set along the beautiful Grand Canal and steeped in centuries of rich history. The official Venice Carnival dates fall in February, building up to a fantastic grand finale and an emotional last day packed with major events.
The heart of the action is Piazza San Marco, also known as Saint Mark's Square or simply San Marco - watched over by the impressive Bell Tower. Here you'll be surrounded by a whimsical atmosphere of costumed characters, elaborate costumes and handcrafted Venetian masks. Don't miss out on signature moments like the Flight of the Angel, the Festa delle Marie, and other special performances which fill the square with music, applause and anticipation - especially on Saturday nights leading up to the big finale.
To dive even deeper into the magic, tickets give you access to exclusive masquerade balls, grand balls and fancy masked ball evenings in historic palaces and luxury hotels like the Hotel Monaco. World-class events like the Il Ballo del Doge (a.k.a the Doge's Ball) or the elegant Minuetto Ball require a strict dress code with period costume or historical costume. Inside, expert dance masters will guide you through traditional dances, while live music accompanies hours of elegant dancing. Every dinner party and formal dinner turns into a refined Carnival party, a true Carnival extravaganza that goes on deep into the night.
Beyond the high-end events, the Carnival spirit spills out into the streets. Take a stroll near the Rialto Bridge, explore the quieter charm of San Pietro di Castello or head to the colourful Burano Carnival. Move like a local on the water bus, take a romantic gondola ride and enjoy the impromptu street music and open-air party scenes. Even with your own mask, you become part of the living theatre while respecting any dress code requirements for specific events.
This fresh new edition embodies the Olympic spirit, symbolically bringing together different social classes in a shared celebration of art, magic and performance.
From grand halls like the Ridotto Hall to candlelit palace salons, international guests gather to attend something way beyond a simple festival. Plan ahead, grab your Venice Carnival 2026 tickets, lace up your comfiest walking shoes and get ready to wander through reflections, lanterns and echoes of music across the water. It's, without a doubt, a totally one-of-a-kind experience unlike anywhere else in the world.
Venice Carnival 2026 tickets: What You Need to Know
Let's begin: what do you need to know about tickets for the 2026 Venice Carnival?
The Venice Carnival 2026 is a festival of celebration, history and art with centuries-old roots, returning in 2026 with the theme “Olympus – At the Origins of Play”, celebrating the Olympic year with parades, costume displays, performances and spectacular parties.
Most daytime events - like costume parades, street performances and shows in the squares - are totally free and open to the public, while some special evening events and balls require tickets or advance reservations.
In a nutshell: you can stroll through Venice, see the masks, parades and street shows without paying a penny... but if you want to experience the exclusive evening events or luxury experiences, tickets really are essential.
Tickets Venice Carnival 2026: how they’re divided
Here comes the best part: tickets for the 2026 Venice Carnival are divided into:
- private masked balls
- public parties on the official program
Tickets for those super-exclusive masked balls and parties
These are the most iconic and expensive events of the Carnival, often held in grand historic palaces or top-notch hotels. Booking well in advance is a must: tickets often sell out months before the event.
The Ballo del Doge, Carnival in Love, Ball of Dreams, Minuetto, Tiepolo
- Il Ballo del Doge - one of the most famous Venetian masked balls out there, and it's a full-on gala experience with period costume not just suggested, but actually required. Tickets are pretty pricey, running into the thousands of euros, but they usually come with dinner and a show.
- Carnival in Love / Ball of Dreams - this one's a more laid-back affair, with masked balls and dinners in some pretty historic settings. You can shell out for a ticket, or just grab a costume rental if you're not feeling like buying a whole outfit.
- Minuetto and Tiepolo - they've got some classic Carnival balls going on here, with dinner, dancing, and all the period style you could ask for.
(Bonus fact): and just to keep in mind: costume rental for a lot of these balls? not included with the ticket - be prepared to shell out a few hundred euros extra.
Tickets for all the official events they're putting on
Tickets for these official events are on their own pricing - you'll need to buy them through the Carnival's official portal or from a partner site.
Arsenale Water Show, Official Dinner Show
- Arsenale Water Show – “The Call of Olympia”: an evening show with lights, music, and water performances down at the Darsena Grande - and you've got options for tickets, either seated or floating on one of those platforms they have.
- Official Dinner Show – “Ambrosia’s Chant”: the official Carnival dinner show, with a real sit-down meal and some artistry in the historic halls of Ca’ Vendramin Calergi.
So, do you need tickets for Venice Carnival 2026?
Venice Carnival 2026 tickets refers to two different concepts: events that are open to the public and those that are private and reserved.
Free events in the official program (Open Access)
There's loads of Carnival highlights that don't need a ticket:
- parades and performances in St Mark’s Square and all over the city
- the Venice Carnival Street Show (just some street acts wandering about)
- Festa delle Marie and all the public presentations
- street competitions and shows
These are perfect if you just fancy experiencing Carnival without breaking the bank - or if you just want a relaxed day out.
Paid events (Require Ticket/Reservation)
These sorts of events usually require a ticket:
- fancy palace masked balls
- seated dinner shows
- the Arsenale Water Show with reserved seating
- exclusive evening parties and club nights
How much does it cost to go to the Venice Carnival 2026?
So, how much do tickets for the 2026 Venice Carnival cost?
Venice Carnival 2026 ticket prices
Venice Carnival 2026 ticket prices are all over the place, depending on what it is you're after:
- free events: just show up and enjoy yourself - €0
- Arsenale Water Show: usually around €20 or €30 for the seats or platforms
- Official Dinner Show: hundreds of euros per person
- Luxury masked balls: they're not cheap - we're talking €700 all the way up to €5,000+ per person, depending on what you're after.
And remember: costume rentals are usually extra - so factor that in as well.
Where to buy tickets for the Venice Carnival 2026
You can get Venice Carnival 2026 tickets for official events and lots of balls through:
- the official Venice Carnival website
- partner ticketing sites that specialize in Venetian events
- event platforms that have got all the details on location and costume requirements
For private balls and dinner shows, the organizer's website will probably have a booking system - and sometimes they even offer packages that include a costume rental.
When to book tickets for Venice Carnival 2026
The best Venice Carnival 2026 tickets are usually available months in advance, especially if you want to go to one of the more exclusive balls or dinner shows - they can sell out really fast.
So, a good time to get looking for tickets would be summer to autumn 2025, when they usually start selling them.
Faq
1. Do you need a ticket to wander around the masked crowds?
No - most daytime events are free and open to all.
2. How expensive are the super-fancy masked balls?
They can range from around €700 to over €5,000 per person.
3. Does the Arsenale Water Show ticket include dinner?
No - you've got to buy dinner separately.
4. Can you buy tickets on arrival in Venice?
If you want to go to one of the really popular events, probably not - best to book ahead of time.
5. Are costume rentals included in the price?
No, usually not - so factor it in, because it can be a few hundred euros extra.
6. Are there any suitable family events?
Yes: lots of street shows and daytime performances are suitable for all ages.
7. Where can I find the whole official program?
On the official Venice Carnival website.
8. Should you book Dinner Show tickets early?
Yes - really advisable to book in advance.
9. Are there any cheaper evening events?
Yes: parties and club nights and other social gatherings can be a lot more affordable than the fancy balls.
10. Do all events require a costume?
No, not at all - only at the ones where it's really dress-coded or expected.
Conclusion
Venice Carnival 2026 is a real showstopper - all about tying together the old traditions with some great theatre and just a big wide party to enjoy.
Nobody says you have to splash the cash to get a flavour of it - you can wander around with the crowds, get a glimpse of those amazing masks and parades, and still have a great time. Or, if you're looking to make a real night to remember, then you'll want to get a ticket to one of the Venice Carnival 2026 balls, dinner shows or other top performances.
Either way though, the Venetian magic will surely win you over. Just pick the option that suits your mood, pocket and the time of year you're planning to visit.
Now that you know all the details about Venice Carnival 2026 tickets, which event will I attend?
Stick with us, the Venice Insider Guide for all your carnival essentials!