When we think of the Carnival, we think immediately to it: to the href=”http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/en/”>Venice Carnival, one of the most famous and appreciated carnivals in the world. In 2020, the masks will be partying in the Lagoon from Saturday, 8th to Tuesday, 25th February.
For 18 days the city of the Doges will be the protagonist of a rich program of events and will be literally invaded by masks from all over the world; let’s see some of the most important events together.
It starts on Saturday, 8th February at 7 pm with the “Festa Veneziana on the water – First Part”: the Rio di Cannaregio turns into a real water stage with a free show of images and aquatic music entitled “Amoris Causa”” – Honor to the wisest of Follies, directed by Alessandro Martello and also in reply at 9 pm.
On Sunday, 9th February at 11 am the “Festa Veneziana on the water – Second Part”: considered the Grand Opening of the Carnival, it consists of a boats parade along the href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canal_(Venice)”>Grand Canal to the Rio di Cannaregio, with music, animations and tastings to accompany the arrival of the parade.
The 11th International Children’s Carnival will take place at Ca’ Giustinian, the official headquarters of the href=”https://www.labiennale.org/en”>Venice Biennale, from 15th to 23rd February: organized and free workshops open to schools from Monday to Friday and to families on Saturdays and Sundays (reservation is compulsory).
On Saturday, 15th February at 2:30 pm there will be the traditional “Festa delle Marie”, which will start from San Piero in Castello and, along Via Garibaldi and Riva degli Schiavoni, will arrive on the stage set up in Piazza San Marco at 4 pm for the official presentation of the Carnival. The event will allow the large audience to admire the costumes of the Venetian tradition worn by twelve girls; on Monday, 24th February, the “Maria of the year 2020” will be proclaimed in the Sale Apollinee of the href=”http://www.teatrolafenice.it/site/index.php?&lingua=eng”>La Fenice Theatre.
At 9.00 pm instead, at href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ca%27_Vendramin_Calergi”>Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, the “Dinner&Ball” will take place: the official dinner and dance of the Venice Carnival. In the building where href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Wagner”>Richard Wagner lived, an exclusive evening in which to combine images, colours, sounds and flavours to experience the magic of Carnival. The costume is compulsory!
Also on this eventful day, at the href=”https://www.scuolasangiovanni.it/en/”>Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista at 6 pm the inauguration of the exhibition entitled “Game, Love and Madness in the popular imagination” will be held: an exhibition of exhibition of works and scenic structures, from Dante’s creatures to the Commedia dell’Arte, with events, workshops and much more. The exhibition will then be open for the entire duration of the Carnival, every day from 10 am to 6 pm; entrance is free.
And do not miss then “The flight of the angel” on Sunday, 16th February at noon on St Mark’s Square! A spectacular show that attracts the attention of all national and international networks: welcomed by a parterre of groups of historical re-enactments in costume, the Angel of the Carnival will fly into the arms of the Doge and the public.
On the same day, the daily contest of the best mask will start, also on St Mark’s Square (every day from 11 am to 1 pm and from 3 to 5 pm). The participants, with their costumes, masks and wigs, will parade on the stage. The final is scheduled for Sunday, 23rd February, while the children will parade on Monday, 24th February.
Friday, 21st February will be the day dedicated to “The Carnival at the Lido of Venice” (at Riviera Santa Maria Elisabetta) with markets and a parade of floats.
On Sunday, 23rd February on href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_San_Marco”>St Mark’s Square at 11 am “The Eagle’s Flight” will start: another spectacular flight from St Mark’s bell tower to the stage; the Eagle of 2019 was Arianna Fontana, short track skating champion.
And for Mardi Gras on 25th February, the last day of Carnival, there are two highlights:
- From 4 pm the award ceremony of the “Maria” of Carnival 2020, on St Mark’s square: the Doge will crown the sweetest and most graceful damsel, who will arrive on the square at the end of the water parade departing from San Giacomo dell’Orio.
- At 5.00 pm the farewell ceremony to the Carnival, with the “Svolo del Leon”: the winged Lion of St Mark, symbol of Venice, painted on a large canvas, will fly up to the bell tower over the audience.
During the entire Carnival time, it will be possible to skate on ice in the true ice rink set up in href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_San_Polo”>Campo San Polo, open every day from 11 am to 7 pm with the possibility to rent skates. For the littlest ones there will be also a horseback carousel.
But the Carnival is celebrated not only in the city: in Mestre there will be the “Mestre Carnival Street Show”: from 15th to 25th February the streets of the city, the squares, the arcades will be animated with music shows and street artists. On Sunday, 23rd March from 11:30 am 1 pm the streets of the city centre will also be theatre of the awaited “Flight of the Donkey”, fun version of the event that takes place in Venice, the Eagle Flight.
On the island of href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burano”>Burano, on the other hand, “El Carnevale de Buran” will take place every afternoon until late evening from Fat Thursday, 20th February, until Shrove Tuesday, 25th February with music entertainments, parades, allegoric floats and children animation, music concerts.
href=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murano”>Murano island will be protagonist of the “Carnevale di Murano 2020” on Sunday, 16th February with the traditional parade, accompanied by music and masked rowboats, music party and entertainment.
href=”https://www.carnevale.venezia.it/en/complete-program/”>Here you can find the complete calendar of all events, day by day.
Universally considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, href=”https://www.bibione.eu/en/destinations/venice-and-islands-of-the-venetian-lagoon/”>Venice is, together with its lagoon, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Destination for tourists from all over the world since ever, during the Carnival it takes on even more charm and colour. Just over an hour from Bibione, it is easily reachable by public transport, especially by train. For those who are in our seaside resort in this period, can be an excellent opportunity for a daily excursion to discover its wonders and traditions.
