Venice Carnival 2026: Olympus – The origins of play

From  31 st January to 17 February 2026

This year's Venice Carnival is dedicated to the theme “Olympus – The origins of play”, a tribute to the harmony between body and mind dear to ancient mythology and the Venetian tradition of great popular competitions. As in times past, when the city was transformed into a stage for tournaments, acrobatics and regattas, the Carnival returns to celebrate the energy of movement and spectacle, also drawing inspiration from the spirit of the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics.

This year's edition will offer a rich calendar of events: opening ceremonies and grand shows, acrobatic performances and choreography inspired by the heroes of Olympus, parades on the water and historic regattas, tournaments in the squares and skill tests, masked parades, family events and workshops
dedicated to children, evening shows and themed dinners.

The Venice Carnival – Olympus – thus becomes a journey between past and present, between myth and celebration, celebrating the city as a place where challenge is transformed into emotion and movement into shared magic.