VENICE
The best of Venice, in one place.
The 15 most popular carnival mask workshops in Venice. What each one includes, what it costs and who runs it, so you can spend the day out on the water instead of stuck in a queue.
Paint a Venice Carnival mask with a Venetian artisan. Learn paper-mâché techniques, add color and glitter, and take it home.
Most Popular“Gorge was wonderful! We really enjoyed learning the history of carnival and about his family’s mask making business.”
Hand-paint a Venetian papier-mâché Carnival mask in a tiny St. Mark’s class. Learn the traditions, then take your creation home.
“We had a woderful time making venetian masks with Giorgio! The workshop room was stunning on its own, with different types of masks to see. In between painting layers, he provided stories about the history of masks in Venice, and talked about the different mask types and how they evolved. This is a must-do activity…”
Make a Venetian mask at Carta Alta on Giudecca. Learn baroque decoration, hear mask history, and take home your creation in 1.5 hours.
“Loved this activity ……both instructors were helpful throughout the experience would definitely recommend !”
Paint a Venetian paper-mâché mask in a small 1-hour workshop. Acrylic tempera colors, gold touches, feathers, ribbons, sequins, and take-home fun.
“We attended a mask painting workshop together with my sons, and it turned out to be a truly beautiful and heartwarming experience for all of us. From the very beginning, we felt welcomed and inspired. Each of us could choose the mask design we loved most, and although we started with a bit of uncertainty,…”
Make a Venetian carnival mask inside the Prisons Palace near St Mark’s. Artisan-led class includes materials; take your creation home.
“loved the vibrant colours and the easy to understand instructions”
Walk Venice Carnival trails with Casanova, mask-making lore, backstreets near La Fenice, and finish with cappuccino and frittelle.
“This is the second time I have been on Lorenzo’s tour and I strongly recommend it! Really enjoyable!”
Create a Venetian papier-mâché carnival mask in a real atelier. Learn the story behind the designs, decorate it, and take it home.
“Mom and I decided to have the 1h mask workshop, which was one of the highlights of our trip to Venice. We could have a nice talk with our "coach" who shared about her experience with the Venezuelan carnival, her work over the last years and how passionate she is. It can be helpful to…”
A 2-hour Venice Carnival pub crawl with 3 bacari stops, ombra wine, cicchetti bites, a spritz, and Venetian dialect tips near Rialto.
“Only the first of the three venues was pleasant and suitable to accommodate the group. There was very little time in any of the three venues and each of the 3 drinks were very small - nowhere near a standard measure . The snacks were extremely sparse too. We were rushed out of the first…”
Paint your own Venetian mask in Venice: pick a papier-mâché base from 50+ designs, then use acrylic colors with gold or silver.
“This was very fun! The owner was very supportive. We had complete freedom to do what we wanted but she would offer suggestions if we asked! Great time!”
Make a Venice Carnival mask at Casanova’s Prisons in Palazzo delle Prigioni Nuove with an English instructor, materials, and museum time.
“Great Gondola ride around Venice. Glass blowing demo was literally 5 minutes and then you were into a very expensive shop of glass. We didn't stay long here.”
Make a Venetian paper mache mask in a two-day private workshop near St. Mark’s, using gold leaf, crystals, and feathers.
“Actividad imprescindible para cualquier interesado en las máscaras venecianas y su elaboración. La experiencia ha sido positiva y me quedo para el recuerdo con el resultado de la misma, una máscara hecha con mis manos. Gracias a Igor por su paciencia y buen hacer.”
A 2-hour Venice carnival treasure hunt with a mobile app, photo clues, and mask painting at the Doge’s Prisons Palace near Rialto.
“Meraviglioso il percorso! I bambini si sono divertiti moltissimo a creare la loro maschera Da consigliare se si vuole divertire a carnevale in maniera alternativa”
Make a personalized Venetian paper-mache mask in a small-group workshop at Carta Alta, with history lessons and take-home results.
“Augusto gave us plenty of time and support to make a very special mask. Great souvenir of my trip and a very relaxing and enjoyable experience.”
Play a Carnival scavenger hunt across Venice, snap photo clues, then paint a Venetian mask in Casanova’s prison palace.
“Impossible de capter correctement le reseau pour le gps . Trop de monde autour de la place st marc , donc enormes difficultés a se reperer. Les explications sur les sites sont pratiquements inodibles , trop de foule bruyante autour des lieux de decouverte. Peut etre devriez vous fournir de petits écouteurs. Dommage , car…”
A 2-hour Venetian Carnival tour with a mask-maker workshop and optional costume fitting, plus a guided walk through historic Cannaregio.
“Valero was Amazing from start to finish! We had an Incredible experience he’s very professional, kind & detailed this was one of our favorite tours”
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