The Carnival of Venice is the most important and magnificent of Venetian celebrations, a much appreciated cocktail of tradition, spectacle, history and transgression set in a unique city, a festival that attracts thousands of people each year to the city from around the world.

The carnival has ancient origins, a celebration that greets the passing of winter into spring, a period in which everything is apparently connected, including the illusion of the more humble classes becoming similar to the powerful, since everyone is disguised behind a mask. The Carnival of Venice officially began in 1296, when the Senate of the Republic authorized the carnival with an edict declaring the day before Lent as a day of celebration. After a break of almost two centuries, the traditions of the carnival were recovered by the Municipality in 1980 and since then the event has been held with great success each year.

Each year has a different, underlying theme for the carnival, which is developed under various points of view, from one of culture to that of pure spectacle. For two weeks St. Marks' Square, the theaters, streets, squares and public buildings become the protagonists of numerous initiatives and shows: actors, acrobats, dancers and musicians bring a celebration atmosphere to the city for a few days, which is similar to that of the XVII century.

PROGRAM FOR VENICE CARNIVAL 2008
January 26TH to February 5th 2008

January 26th, 8:30 pm
IL RIDOTTO

January 26th, 9:00 pm
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

January 27th, 4:00 pm
HOT CHOCOLATE IN COSTUME

January 27th, 9:00 pm
MEDIEVAL BALL, TROBADOURS & MENESTRELS

January 29th, 5:30 pm
COCKTAIL IN COSTUME

January 30th, 7 pm
GONDOLA TOUR & DINNER

January 31st, 8:30 pm
BALLO TIEPOLO

January 31st, 9:00 pm
THE DOLCE VITA

Feb 1st, 9:00 pm
DINNER DANSANTE "LE MENUET"

Feb 1st, 9:30 pm 
MASKS AND COSTUMES PARADE

Feb 1st, 11:00 pm 
BAROQUE MUSIC AND COCKTAIL

Feb 2nd, 7:00 pm
GONDOLA TOUR & DINNER

Feb 2nd, 8:30 pm
CARNIVAL DREAM

Feb 2nd, 9:00 pm
L'ELISIR D'AMORE

Feb 3rd, 4:00 pm
HOT CHOCOLATE IN COSTUME

Feb 3rd, 6:00 pm
THE SUNDAY OF LOVERS

Feb 3rd, 8:00 pm
MASCHERANDA

Feb 3rd, 8:30 pm
DINNER DANSANTE "LE MENUET"

Feb 4th, 7:00 pm
GONDOLA TOUR & DINNER

Feb 5th, 8:30 pm
THE SECRETS OF VENICE

Feb 5th, 9:00 pm
BALLO DELLA SERENISSIMA