All updates on the Festa delle Marie 2026

Revived by the visionary director Bruno Tosi in 1999 and over time becoming one of the key events of the Venice Carnival, the Festa delle Marie commemorates a historical event that actually occurred. It was the year 973 when, during the annual celebrations dedicated to the purification of the Virgin Mary at the church of San Pietro di Castello, twelve Venetian girls were kidnapped by a group of Dalmatian pirates. After a chase organized by Doge Pietro Candiano III, the maidens were freed and brought back to Venice. From then on, the Festa delle Marie was celebrated every year in the lagoon city, with rituals and customs that changed over the centuries.

Many are also this year’s appointments for the 12 lucky girls that will be selected on January 31st at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista!

DISCOVER THE PROGRAM

• Saturday, January 31st, 2026: Selection of the 12 Maries of the 2026 Venice Carnival, Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista
• Saturday, February 7th, 2026: Traditional water parade with official presentation of the 12 Marie of Venice Carnival
• Sunday, February 8, 2026: The Marie, together with the association Masegni & Nizioleti, will take part in the Chirignago Float Parade.
• Tuesday, February 10, 2026: “The Twelfth Maria”, a photography contest held at San Giovanni Evangelista, where the Marie will wear the 12 proclamation gowns.
• Sunday, February 15, 2026: The Marie will parade in Piazza Ferretto, Mestre!
• Monday, February 16th, 2026: Election of the 2026 Maria of the Year, Sale Apollinee at Teatro La Fenice
• Tuesday, February 17th, 2026: Proclamation of the 2026 Venice Carnival Maria, Piazza San Marco

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