Looking for a good time to visit Italy? A warm summer vacation in Italy is hard to beat, but the biggest party in all the land happens just before springtime. The centuries-old tradition of the Carnival of Venice is an extraordinary celebration that attracts millions of visitors each year. Learn about the origins of the Carnival and how to properly celebrate it in Venice.
What is the Carnival of Venice?
If you live in Canada, you may be familiar with Mardi Gras celebrations like the ones in Quebec and New Orleans. Mardi Gras celebrations happen all over the world, and the Carnival of Venice is one of the oldest of its kind. The Carnival is a two-week long Mardi Gras celebration that leads up to Lent, which is a 40-day long fasting period that is observed in many Christian churches. Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday,” is a day dedicated to partying and consuming indulgent foods before the fasting period begins. The day after Fat Tuesday is Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent.
During the Carnival, festivalgoers parade the streets wearing decorative masks, costumes, and accessories. Even the Grand Canal is bustling with mandolins carrying people who are dressed up for the occasion. If you don’t plan on dressing up yourself, you can walk around and enjoy the colorful costumes and partake in the celebrations happening around you.
Four things to do at the Carnival of Venice
Making the trip to Venice to see the festivities for yourself? Here are four things you can do during your first time at the Carnival:
1. Make your own mask
If you’re not looking to dress up all the way but still want to participate, you can make your own mask to wear around. Carnival masks are fun to wear for the occasion and make great souvenirs to take home. Take a Venetian mask-making workshop to get some guidance or pick up your own supplies and try crafting your own using an online tutorial. If you want to skip the work and get your own mask, you can purchase one online or at the festival.
2. Pick up some sweet treats
Celebrate Fat Tuesday as intended by indulging in some Venice Carnival dessert delicacies. Carnival is known for its array of fried pastries, so be sure to work up an appetite. Grab some freshly made frittelles or castagnoles, which are two types of fried donuts that are popularly served at the Carnival. You can also find some more classic Italian desserts like gelato or cannoli to give your tastebuds a tour of Italy.
3. Watch the Festa delle Marie
The Festa delle Marie is a parade that features the 12 Maries, or 12 Venetian girls, who are selected prior to the occasion. This parade dates back to the year 943 and was initially a marriage celebration to honor the 12 most beautiful girls of Venice. Today, the Festa delle Marie is a celebration that gives viewers the opportunity to witness a rich historical tradition complete with costumes and dancing.
4. Find a Venice Carnival event that you like
There’s something for everyone at the Venice Carnival. With guided tours, galas, boat parties, pub crawls and more, Venice is full of exciting happenings during this time. Visit the official Venice Carnival webpage to find ideas on what to do.[1]
Prepare your finances before heading to Venice
Like most countries in the EU, Italy uses the euro as their official currency. If you need to convert your dollars into euros, you can start by calculating the exchange rate before heading for Italy. Withdraw money from an ATM or send yourself some money to purchase the things you need.
If you ever need to send money to Europe, Western Union makes it easy to send and receive money whenever you need. You can send money online, in the money transfer app, or find an agent location to make your transaction.
