Festa delle Marie is one of the historic traditions associated with the Carnival of Venice, bringing together Venetian heritage, period costumes, ceremonial processions and the presentation of twelve selected Marie. The tradition combines historical remembrance with contemporary Carnival celebrations and remains closely connected with the identity of Venice.
The 2027 edition is expected to continue the established format of selecting twelve Marie, presenting them in traditional Venetian costumes, accompanying them through public appearances and culminating in the selection and proclamation of the Maria of the Carnival.
Visitors can expect a combination of water processions, historical costumes, cultural performances, public presentations and appearances in some of Venice’s most recognizable locations. The exact 2027 programme will be announced by the organizers as preparations progress.
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Festa delle Marie 2027 is scheduled for January and February 2027 (Dates TBD).
The programme normally extends across several Carnival-related events, beginning with the selection of the twelve Marie and continuing through their public appearances, water procession, cultural activities and the final presentation of the Maria of the Carnival.
Specific 2027 calendar dates and individual event times have not yet been published.
The celebration takes place across several historic locations in Venice, with the programme traditionally connecting ceremonial buildings, public squares and the city’s waterways.
The exact 2027 venue schedule will depend on the official programme.
The Festa delle Marie programme centres on the twelve selected participants and their journey through the Carnival season.
Key programme elements traditionally include:
The programme can also include theatrical, musical and cultural activities connected with the wider Venice Carnival.
The central tradition is the appearance of the twelve Marie in historic-inspired Venetian dress. The costumes are created by specialist Venetian designers and are an important part of the visual identity of the celebration.
The water procession is another major feature, with the Marie travelling by traditional Venetian boats along the Grand Canal before arriving for their public presentation.
Supporting performances can include historical re-enactment groups, musicians, flag performers, drummers and ceremonial escorts. Recent editions have included the Consorzio Europeo Rievocazioni Storiche and Venetian rowing associations as part of the procession.
Festa delle Marie is based on an old Venetian tradition involving twelve young women and religious and civic celebrations connected with the Feast of the Purification of Mary.
According to the traditional account, twelve Venetian girls were selected for a ceremonial celebration before being taken by Dalmatian pirates and subsequently rescued. The story became part of Venetian cultural memory and evolved through different forms over the centuries.
The modern Festa delle Marie was revived by Bruno Tosi and subsequently developed into an important part of the Venice Carnival. The official Carnival of Venice describes it as a tradition connecting historical memory with contemporary generations.
The detailed 2027 schedule has not yet been released. Based on the established programme, visitors can expect the following sequence of activities:
The official programme should be checked before travel because individual locations and activities may change.
The principal public-facing Festa delle Marie activities are generally experienced as part of the open Carnival programme rather than through a standard admission ticket.
No reliable previous-edition public admission price has been published for the principal outdoor Festa delle Marie activities, so no invented ticket price is provided.
Festa delle Marie can be incorporated into wider Venice cultural experiences focusing on Carnival traditions, historic architecture and Venetian craftsmanship.
Visitors can explore the areas around San Marco, the Grand Canal and the historic sestieri while following the procession route. Specialist walking tours may also provide additional context about Venetian Carnival traditions, costume design, historic confraternities and traditional rowing.
Official programme announcements should be checked for any dedicated guided experiences connected specifically with the 2027 celebration.
Ceremonial moments form an important part of Festa delle Marie. These include the official selection of the twelve Marie, their presentation in traditional costumes and the final election and proclamation of the Maria of the Carnival.
The water procession is accompanied by ceremonial elements and historical-costume groups before the Marie reach Piazza San Marco.
The final Maria is traditionally presented as the symbolic representative of the celebration, continuing the connection between Venice’s historic traditions and its contemporary Carnival.
Visitors should follow the instructions of organizers, municipal authorities and security personnel throughout the event.
Public areas around Piazza San Marco, the Grand Canal and other historic locations can become extremely busy, particularly during processions. Visitors should remain behind designated barriers and avoid obstructing performers, participants or emergency routes.
Photography is generally possible in public areas, but visitors should respect restricted areas, private venues and instructions concerning official ceremonies and participants.
Venice is primarily accessed through its historic pedestrian and water-based transport network.
Visitors arriving by air can use Venice Marco Polo Airport and continue toward the historic centre using airport water transport, buses or other authorized connections.
Those arriving by train can use Venezia Santa Lucia railway station, which is directly connected with the historic centre and provides access to vaporetto services and walking routes.
Visitors arriving by road normally leave their vehicles outside the historic pedestrian centre and continue by public transport or on foot.
Public transportation during Carnival is particularly important because central Venice is pedestrianized and vehicle access is extremely limited.
During major Carnival processions, water routes and pedestrian flows can be modified, so visitors should check current transport notices before travelling.
Staying in or close to the historic centre can make it easier to reach the main Festa delle Marie locations on foot.
Popular areas include:
Mainland areas such as Mestre can provide additional accommodation choices with convenient public transport connections to Venice.
Visitors can combine Festa delle Marie with traditional Venetian Carnival foods and local cuisine.
Popular seasonal specialties include frittelle veneziane, traditional Carnival pastries often prepared with fillings such as cream, raisins or chocolate. Other Venetian foods include cicchetti, sarde in saor, baccalà mantecato, seafood dishes and traditional pasta or risotto.
Restaurants, pastry shops and temporary Carnival food stands can become particularly busy around the main celebration areas.
Accessibility varies according to the historic location and individual event area. Venice’s bridges, steps, narrow calli and uneven paving can present challenges for visitors with reduced mobility.
Major public areas such as Piazza San Marco generally provide more practical access than smaller historic streets, although temporary crowds, barriers and event infrastructure can affect movement.
Visitors requiring specific assistance should check with the event organizers and Venice municipal services before attending, particularly when planning to follow the water procession or access historic buildings.
Some of the most distinctive experiences associated with Festa delle Marie include:
The water procession and public presentation provide particularly strong opportunities to experience the event’s combination of heritage and Carnival culture.
The most recent edition featured twelve selected Marie representing the metropolitan area of Venice. They appeared in traditional costumes created by Francesco Briggi of Atelier Pietro Longhi, with fabrics associated with the historic Venetian textile company Rubelli.
The programme included the traditional water procession along the Grand Canal, followed by the presentation of the Marie in Piazza San Marco. Historical re-enactment groups, musicians, drummers, flag performers and Venetian rowing associations contributed to the ceremonial atmosphere.
The Maria of the Carnival was subsequently selected during a gala ceremony at Teatro La Fenice. Martine Diop Bullo was named the Maria of the Carnival in the most recent edition, while the twelve Marie continued to participate in cultural and Carnival activities throughout the programme.
The principal public Festa delle Marie activities are presented as part of Venice’s wider Carnival programme and can generally be viewed from public areas without a standard admission ticket.
For 2027, specific information about any reserved seating, private ceremonies, gala events or separately ticketed experiences has not yet been announced.
For official programme updates, participant information and event announcements, visitors should use https://festadellemarie.com/ and https://carnevale.venezia.it/.
The grand celebration takes place over multiple weekends in January and February, with exact dates determined annually by the municipal committee. Visitors can explore the outdoor street processions, historical costume parades, and nightly shows throughout the core festival schedule. Checking the official festival website ahead of time provides precise daily timetables for the bridal presentation and coronation ceremonies.
General public access to view the historic costume processions, street performances, and public plazas is completely open and free of charge. No advance tickets or reservations are required to stroll along the historic avenues and enjoy the vibrant carnival atmosphere. Elevated grandstands or specialized indoor gala events involve registration fees for visitors seeking reserved seating or exclusive dining packages.
The festival features family-oriented street performances, open-air puppet shows, and dedicated viewing areas designed to accommodate children safely. The historic center provides designated accessible routes, ramps, and volunteer assistance personnel to help visitors using wheelchairs or strollers navigate the urban spaces. Multilingual information desks situated near major arrival points offer accessibility maps and logistical guidance for all attendees.
Travelers arriving from mainland transit hubs can utilize regional trains arriving directly at Venice Santa Lucia station or park in designated mainland garages at Piazzale Roma. Since private cars cannot enter the historic island center, visitors rely on walking or public vaporetto water buses to reach central viewing points. Clear directional signage and local transit staff guide visitors smoothly toward pedestrian pathways and water transport piers.
Winter weather in Venice is typically chilly and damp, making it essential to wear warm layers, a reliable waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes. Since exploring the historic center involves navigating stone paving, bridges, and dense pedestrian crowds, sturdy footwear ensures a comfortable experience. Carrying a reusable water bottle and utilizing indoor resting spots will help visitors fully enjoy the vibrant seasonal celebrations.
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