Carnevale di Venezia

Location: Venice, Veneto, Italy
Category: Community Carnival
Dates/Time: Two weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday (varies annually around Lent)
Duration: ~17 days
Attendance: Around 1.5 to 2 million visitors annually
Venue: Historic center of Venice, including Piazza San Marco and surrounding canals and streets
Organizer: Comune di Venezia (City of Venice) with local cultural organizations
Established: 12th century (revived in the late 1970s after a long ban)
Symbolic or Satirical Content: Medium (masked characters historically allowed for anonymity and satire, though modern events focus more on spectacle)
Cultural or Ritual Roots: Yes (deeply tied to pre-Lenten tradition and Venice’s history of masquerade and social inversion)
Global or Migrant Influence: Low (primarily a local and national tradition, though internationally attended)

Participation Type: Spectator (with opportunities for dressed-up walking and posing)
Participation Level (Scale): 3/5 (while not a street-party carnival, visitors are encouraged to wear costumes and masks)
Requires Costume to Join: No, but traditional masks and elaborate costumes are highly encouraged for full immersion
Family-Friendly: Yes (many events, exhibitions, and parades are suitable for all ages)
LGBTQ+ Inclusive: Yes (welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, especially during costume events and public gatherings)