The 2026 Venice Carnival kicks off on Sunday with a variety of boats and floats gliding through the city’s canals.

As per tradition, a giant paper mache rat aboard the gondola leads the way. Known as “Pantegana”, it is a time-honored symbol of Carnival.

The two-week festival attracts visitors from all over the world and lights up the city with dancers, costumes and music.

It marks a period of abundance before the start of Lent, the Christian tradition of 40 days of fasting leading up to Easter.