In recent years, the Carnival management has staged a preview weekend before the traditional 11-day Carnival period. But the core carnival events (including the "Flight of the Angel" on the first Saturday of Carnevale) always take place during the festival.

For more information on the Carnevale di Venezia, see these Venice for Visitors articles:

Venice Carnival - Carnevale di Venezia
In Venice during February, "Who was that masked man?' isn't a question about the Lone Ranger.

Venice Carnival Masks
Whether you're headed for Carnevale or enjoying it vicariously at home, you can learn about Venetian Carnival masks--and even order them online.

Also see our blog coverage, which includes photos of daily life in Venice during Carnival:

Venice Travel Blog: Events
Most of these blog posts are about Carnival, and you'll find many human-interest photos that go beyond the familiar Carnival clich�s.

Maggie in Venice: Carnevale di Venezia
A Bearded Collie gets up close and personal with Carnival performers (and the occasional bout of acqua alta or flooding in the Piazza San Marco).

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Hotel Advice:

Location can be important in a car-free city with 400+ bridges, especially when you're walking with luggage. Before you book, see:

Hotel Recomendations by Area
Find hotels that are handy to the airport, railroad station, cruise port, or Piazza San Marco, and in Mestre.

Aerial Venice Hotels
Read our tips on choosing the right sestiere or district. Then view individual hotels and their surroundings in large satellite photos and aerial close-ups.

MSC cruise ship in Venice

Venice for Cruisers:

Venice canal reflections

From our Venice Travel Blog:

A water taxi ride to Venice Airport
A warning about water taxis
Venice Railroad Station: a vaporetto view
Long lines at Venice Airport
Free boat trips to Murano
Need to pee? Prepare to pay
Crime in Venice
The perils of overpacking
Venetian daily life

Maggie in Venice

From Maggie in Venice:

A dog's life in Venice
A Beagle boards a water bus
Maggie in Venice video clips