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Venice Carnival 2025: A Celebration of Giacomo Casanova
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the magic of the Venice Carnival and discover the legacy of Giacomo Casanova?
The magic of Venice Carnival 2025
Venice is confirmed in history as the Queen of Carnival: from February 14 to March 4, 2025, it will be the place of magic and enchantment.
Suspended between water and sky, it is the ideal stage for the staging of transgression, overcoming the limits of social roles, rules and the barriers of time and space.
St. Mark’s Square and Caffè Florian are inhabited by reveling souls in search of the genius loci, the spirit bequeathed
by Floriano Francesconi, who so well embodied the spirit of La Serenissima.
The Caffè Florian at Carnival becomes a film set, a stage on which life is staged, with no limits on historical settings
Celebrating 300 years of Giacomo Casanova
The Venice Carnival 2025 will be an extraordinary event dedicated to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Giacomo Casanova, one of the most fascinating and controversial characters in Venetian history, known for his amorous adventures and intriguing life.
Through this eclectic and extraordinary character, a window will open on 18th century Venice: a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, rich in culture, art and passion!
Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798): adventurer, writer, actor, poet, alchemist, esotericist, Freemason, diplomat, scientist, philosopher and... secret agent!
Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798) was an adventurer, writer, poet, alchemist, esotericist, Freemason, diplomat, scientist, philosopher and secret agent. Born in Venice, he is famous for his eventful love life and adventures throughout Europe. His most famous work, ‘The Story of My Life’, offers a detailed fresco of his time and experiences.
Iconic places linked to the life of Giacomo Casanova
Palazzo Malipiero: Casanova lived here with his grandmother and met many aristocrats and intellectuals who frequented the family salons. A plaque on Calle Malipiero commemorates his birth on April 2, 1725.
The Piombi, the prisons of the Doge’s Palace: Casanova was imprisoned here in 1755 for blasphemy, libertinage and possession of forbidden books. His daring escape in 1756 is one of the most famous escapes in history. It is said, however, that before fleeing to France, he wanted to stop at the Caffè Florian to enjoy the coffee he had missed so much.
Teatro San Samuele: Here Casanova made his first steps as an actor and playwright. Although the original building has been demolished, the theater was an important meeting place for the Venetian nobility and intellectuals.
In 'The Story of My Escape from the Piombi' (original title: Histoire de ma fuite des prisons de la République de Venise qu'on appelle les Plombs), first published in 17881, Casanova describes in detail his escape from the Piombi prison in Venice and subsequent escape to France
Il Caffè Florian: Giacomo Casanova frequentava il Caffè, non solo per il piacere di socializzare e corteggiare le dame, ma anche come spia per il Consiglio dei Dieci. Questo organo di governo della Repubblica di Venezia era incaricato della sicurezza dello Stato e spesso utilizzava informatori per raccogliere notizie e monitorare le attività dei cittadini.
Casanova, con il suo carisma e la sua abilità nel muoversi tra i salotti dell’alta società, era perfetto per questo ruolo.
Al Caffè Florian, poteva ascoltare conversazioni importanti e raccogliere informazioni utili per il Consiglio.
Convento di Santa Maria degli Angeli: Situato a Murano, è il luogo dove Casanova incontrava segretamente M.M, una giovane affidata al convento dalla famiglia.
Il Casinò in Calle Vallaresso: Vicino a Piazza San Marco, questa zona era un ritrovo per aristocratici e giocatori d’azzardo. Qui si trovava una delle sale da gioco più famose dell’epoca, il Ridotto di San Moisè.
Unique events, masked balls and magic in the Venetian calli.
This year’s edition, entitled ‘Il tempo di Casanova’ (Casanova’s time), will bring a series of spectacular events, including masked parades, theatre performances, concerts and costume balls.
Unique events, masked balls and magic in the Venetian calli will make the Venice Carnival 2025 an unforgettable experience.
The celebration starts on 14 February, Valentine’s Day, with a special event in St Mark’s Square entitled ‘Valentine’s Night. Heart to Heart’.
It will be an evening full of romance, historical dancing, music and performances.
Among the most eagerly awaited events is ‘La Maschera Più Bella’ (The Most Beautiful Mask), which will transform St Mark’s Square into an open-air theatre from 15 February.
Each day will see a parade of unique and original masks, the result of Venetian creativity and craftsmanship.
On Sunday 16 February there will be the long-awaited water parade of traditional boats along the Grand Canal. This event, organised in collaboration with the Coordinamento Associazioni Remiere di Voga alla Veneta, will be led by the famous papier-mâché ‘Pantegana’. The spectacular parade of decorated boats and masked rowers will start from Punta della Dogana and cross the Grand Canal to Rialto.
Gala Concert: On the evening of 29 February, the Teatro La Fenice will host a gala concert featuring music from the 18th century, performed by the symphony orchestra. This exclusive event will offer an unforgettable musical experience in one of Venice’s most prestigious locations
Events and shows
From 21 February, the Arsenale Water Show 2025 presents ‘GIACOMO: A Love Story’, an exciting show that uses the languages of dance, music and storytelling to revive the adventures of Casanova.
On 28 February, an impressive parade of historical costumes will cross the calli and canals of Venice, evoking the golden age of the Serenissima. The Grand Historical Parade will involve hundreds of participants in period costumes, offering a memorable spectacle.
On 29 February, twelve Venetian girls dressed in traditional costumes will parade through the streets of the city. The traditional Festa delle Marie re-enacts the kidnapping of 12 maidens by Dalmatian pirates, who were rescued thanks to the intervention of Doge Pietro Candiano III in the 10th century. One of the most eagerly awaited events of the Venice Carnival.
