Four destinations for Carnival 2026

With the Christmas holidays behind us, it's time to start getting ready for Carnival 2026. Between the end of January and the first half of February, countless Italian cities will dress up for the occasion, filling the streets with colourful floats, masks, streamers and traditional food specialities. When does Carnival 2026 take place? As you may know, this celebration does not have a fixed date, as it is linked to the Easter calendar: this year it will run from 31 January to 17 February, with Shrove Tuesday marking the end of the festivities. 

Carnival 2026, in short, is just around the corner. Today, we take you through some of the cities that are famous for their celebrations and are well worth visiting at this time of year: Venice and Viareggio, where unmissable shows take place every year; Cento, which hosts the only carnival officially twinned with Rio de Janeiro; and Acireale, renowned for its flower-decorated floats. In addition, you will find several Carnival hotels perfect for enjoying the shows up close and exploring the cities that host them.

Venice Carnival 2026, in the name of the Olympics

In many ways, the Venice Carnival represents the Italian way of experiencing this celebration around the world. The 2026 edition is entitled Olympus – At the Origins of the Games, a tribute to the Olympic year in which art, tradition, history and sport intertwine. From 31 January to 17 February, thousands of tourists and locals will fill the streets of the lagoon city.

The programme of the Venice Carnival 2026 is very rich. Among the many scheduled events, there are some not to be missed, which form the very heart of the festival:

• The Venice Carnival Street Show (31 January, 1 February, 7 February, 8 February, from 12 to 15 February).

• The Carnival Grand Ball with Bridgerton (31 January).

• The traditional water parade (1 February).

• The "Festa delle Marie" ("Feast of the Marys") (7 February).

• The Flight of the Angel (8 February).

• The Arsenale Water Show, the major water-based spectacle entitled this year The Call of Olympia. The show will take place from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 February and from Thursday 12 to Tuesday 17 February 2026. Please note that, unlike the traditional parades, tickets must be purchased for this performance. 

UNA Hotels Ala Venezia, the hotel at the heart of the Carnival

To experience first-hand the magic of the Venetian Carnival, book your room at UNA Hotels Ala Venezia, ideal for an authentic stay in the heart of the lagoon city. Located in the San Marco district, it's just a short distance from St Mark's Square and the Grand Canal, making it the perfect starting point for discovering all the highlights of this event.

The hotel also offers a privileged view of the city in celebration thanks to its altana, the traditional Venetian rooftop terrace from which to enjoy the Carnival atmosphere. The offer is completed by 80 elegantly furnished rooms, a renowned cocktail bar and a concierge service always at your disposal.

Viareggio Carnival 2026: dates and tickets

When considering where to go for Carnival, it's impossible not to mention the Viareggio Carnival, which will take place from 1 February to 21 February 2026. The highlight of the event is the Masked Parades, during which the floats come to life along the city seafront. There are six giant floats, and a special parade is dedicated to each of them. The festivities begin on 1 February with the first afternoon parade, while the final and concluding parade will be held on Saturday 21 February at 5:00 p.m. The day will end with the announcement of the winners and a final fireworks display.

To fully immerse yourself in this unique atmosphere, you must buy Viareggio Carnival tickets, available both online and at designated physical sales points. There are various pricing options, ranging from a single parade ticket to a full season pass.

And if you want to find out everything about this party, don't miss:

• The Citadel of the Carnival of Viareggio is the large theme park dedicated to the history and culture of this festival. 

• The Carnival Museum, accessed via Piazza della Cittadella, which hosts a permanent exhibition and the Espace Gilbert, featuring the most distinctive elements of the floats.

A villa to experience the Viareggio Carnival

Are you looking for a hotel for the Viareggio Carnival? Just 700 metres from the city centre and a few minutes from the seafront where the floats parade, you will find an exclusive retreat ready to welcome you: Luxury Villa Manin Viareggio | UNA Esperienze.

This elegant villa offers a range of exclusive spaces designed to guarantee an unforgettable stay: two kitchens, two spacious living rooms, nine modern bedrooms, and a garden for moments of relaxation. The villa is perfect for both families and groups of friends who wish to experience the Carnival in complete privacy. 

Cento Carnival, between Emilia-Romagna and Brazil

The Cento Carnival is one of the most famous and oldest in Italy. According to tradition, its origins date back to the sixteenth century, while the first iconographic evidence appears in the seventeenth century through the paintings of Guercino. 

The most famous feature of this celebration is the official twinning with the Rio De Janeiro Carnival, which over the decades has led to the introduction of samba dancers, live music and spectacular choreography. This fusion between the two countries has made the Cento Carnival unique in Italy thanks to its dual identity: rooted in tradition and Emiliana masks on the one hand, and cosmopolitan and vibrant on the other.

The programme for this edition is particularly rich and includes exhibitions, historical re-enactments, competitions and games of all kinds, sporting tournaments and talks. The celebrations begin on 1 February and continue for five consecutive Sundays, culminating in the grand closing event on 1 March.

Staying at UNA Hotels Occhiobello is the ideal solution for enjoying the Cento Carnival as a true protagonist. The hotel is located just a few kilometres from Ferrara, one of the most distinctive Renaissance cities in the Emilia region, and boasts over 80 meticulously furnished rooms and 15,000 square metres of parkland.

This property is also highly valued for its location: close to the motorway, 10 km from the railway station and 45 km from the airport, making it easy to reach by any means of transport. Book now!

Acireale Carnival: discovering the flower floats

Let's now move to Sicily to discover the Acireale Carnival. During this festival, the town, with its Baroque historic centre, becomes a true open-air stage where music, performances and folklore come together in an experience that attracts visitors from all over Italy and abroad.

What makes the Acireale Carnival so special? In addition to its long history, which dates back five hundred years, the festival is renowned for its allegorical-grotesque floats – moving works of art that comment on current affairs with the typical irony of the Carnival. Then there are the flower floats: structures decorated entirely with fresh flowers, arranged with extraordinary precision to create mosaics, faces and complex scenes. 

Palace Catania | UNA Esperienze is the recommended hotel for the Acireale Carnival, which will take place from 31 January to 17 February 2026. This five-star hotel is located in the historic centre of Catania and just 16 km from the festive town. Offering a wide range of high-level services, the hotel provides guests with a fitness room to stay in shape and a panoramic restaurant where they can admire the city from above, as well as the outline of Mount Etna. In addition, it's only 6 km from Catania Airport, meaning that if you arrive by plane, you can reach this Carnival hotel in just a few minutes. 

Carnival 2026 is the perfect opportunity to have fun and discover the traditions that have always characterised this celebration throughout Italy. Whether you choose Venice, Viareggio, Cento or Acireale, these cities offer surprises, grand celebrations and elegant hotels for an unforgettable Carnival holiday.