Carnevale: the Venice Carnival 2019
Carnival in Venice is a one-of-a-kind celebration suspended between past and present with a traditional local allure featuring many event-within-the-event. Among these, the starting two-day Festa Veneziana with its typical masked regattas, the Best Masked Costume Contest, the Festa delle Marie and countless iconic parades. Each year, Carnival includes celebrations whose history dates back to the times of the Serenissima, such as the famous eagle flight or the well-known Flight of the Angel, to name but a few. Carnival in Venice is the purest example of the perfect meld of tradition, culture and entertainment all in one, offering a chance of fun for visitors of all ages (read more about the Venice Carnival). Scroll down to read this year’s programme and to know more about each event.
Venice Carnival 2019 is scheduled to happen from 16 February to 5 March.
Festa Veneziana 2019 – Masked Regatta
on 17 February, Cannaregio district
You can see the music parade at 11 am sailing through the Canal Grande. The arrival place is Rio di Cannaregio, where food stalls will offer local Carnival specialities to the public.
Watch last year’s regatta on YouTube
Festa delle Marie 2019 – parade
From 23 February
The traditional parade of costumed girl is starting from San Pietro di Castello at 2.30pm, crossing via Garibaldi and Riva degli Schiavoni and reach San Marco stage at 4.00 pm, where the twelve “Maria” girl will be introduced to the public.
The event lasts 10 days and is a great opportunity to admire the traditional vintage Venetian costumes.
Official website: www.festadellemarie.com
Best Masked Costume 2019 – Contest
Every day until 28 February
A daily catwalk is organized on Piazza San Marco from 3.30pm to 5 pm. Masked competitors will try to win the public’s positive vote.
The semi-final catwalks are scheduled to happen on 28 February and 2 March, while the final parade is on 3 March at 2.30pm.
On 4 March you can see the kids parade.
Participation to the contest is free but unfortunately, you had to subscribe by December 2018
Flight of the Angel (Opening Ceremony)
24 February, from 11 am
This year’s angel is Erika Chia, the girl who won in 2018 the Festa delle Marie contest. Watch last year’s flight of the angel on YouTube
Eagle flight – VIP flight
3 March, from 11 pm
The person who will perform the flight is still unknown.
After enjoying the success of the Flight of the Angel, starting from Venice Carnival 2012 the organising committee has decided to introduce the ‘Flight of the Eagle’, traditionally happening one week after the Flight of the Angel and featuring similar dynamics. Important personalities in the sport, cinema and music usually take central stage in this celebration disguised like one of the most beloved characters of Venice’s carnival: Pulcinella.
