Venice, When to Go?

Venice is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year. Between May and September the city is filled with tourists, so if you don't like crowds you may want to avoid those times.

The most exciting time of all is definitely during Carnevale, though the city will be very busy even though it is in February.

Carnevale
Although Carneval is celebrated around the world, with Rio de Janiero and Madrigals in New Orleans being among the most famous, nothing compares to the Venetian Carnevale. Carnevale traditionally started just after Christmas and ended on Ash Wednesday, but due to it's popularity the dates vary from year to year, usually landing somewhere in the middle of February.

What makes Carnevale so unusual is the enthusiastic participation of the local citizens and of thousands of people from around the world. Carnevale was traditionally a time when social decorum could be ignored, due to the costumes, people were able to entirely mask their identity allowing them to behave in a manner they would never dream of at any other time of the year. Gambling, music, and large costume balls were, and are still favored activities, along with parades and costume contests. Although samples of the masks and costumes from carnival can be seen year round in the local shops and costume stores, during carnival thousands of impeccably designed costumes are brought to life in the streets and the city acquires a feeling of timelessness.

The average air temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit:
Winter: 30-40
Spring: 50 - 60
Summer: 70-75
Fall: 60-65