Venice · VENETIAN MASK AND CARNIVAL WORKSHOPS
You go in with a raw papier-mâché blank and come out with something you painted. The 15 workshops below differ on how long they run, whether gold leaf is included, and how many people share the bench.
Choose a paper-mâché mask, learn Venetian Carnival traditions, and decorate it with guidance from artisans such as Giorgio, Nicolo, or Petra. You will use paints, glitter, and decorative details, then take your finished mask home. Small groups and several languages are available.
“My daughter was sad to not have the cat mask option as shown on display, but we had an overall great time!”
In a small workshop near Saint Mark’s Square, a Venetian artisan such as Giorgio, Nicola, or Alvis introduces Carnival mask traditions, then guides you through painting and decorating a papier-mâché mask. You keep your finished piece. The class lasts about 75 minutes and is offered in English.
“The mask making was fun. The person that teaches it is also an authentic multigenerational amazing mask designer himself. Definitely recommend”
At Carta Alta’s small Giudecca studio, Augusto and his team guide you through the history of Venetian masks, from Bauta to Dottore della Peste. Choose a paper-mache mask, decorate it with baroque details, and take home your own creation after 1.5 hours.
“I loved every moment, from picking out the decorative pieces to creating the mask and finally seeing it all come together. The entire experience was amazing!”
Choose from more than 50 handmade papier-mâché masks, then paint and decorate yours with acrylic tempera, metallic gold and silver, feathers, ribbons, and sequins. An artist guides you in English, Italian, or French during this one-hour, family-friendly workshop for up to eight people.
“It was perfect and the instructor was really helpful and patient.”
Spend one hour at Palazzo delle Prigioni near St. Mark’s Square, choosing a traditional mask and decorating it with paint, glitter, and other materials. An artisan instructor, sometimes introduced as Beatrice, explains the mask’s story and helps with the finishing touches. The class is offered in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.
“Loved it! My guide gave me great history and understanding on the lovely city of Venice, and I got to immerse myself in the culture a bit!”
Walk from Teatro La Fenice through Casanova’s San Samuele neighborhood with an English-speaking guide in Carnival costume. Hear stories of masks, courtesans, aristocrats, and the Ridotto casino, then enjoy cappuccino and a Carnival frittella at Le Café Venezia.
“This tour was great! Our guide was charming and very funny - I definitely recommend this tour if you like history and want to learn more about Venice and Casanova! It’s also a good way to see smaller, backstreets of the City! The Cappuccino at the end was great too :) Great tour! Very enjoyable experience- our guide sat with us at the end of the tour in the Café and was very happy to chat after the tour ended! 10/10 :)”
At Sogno Veneziano Atelier, choose a real papier-mâché mask, then paint and decorate it with feathers, crystals, trims, sequins, and gold leaf. Guides including Sonja, Igor, Giacomo, and Jack offer patient help and Carnival stories in English, Italian, French, German, or Spanish.
“This was a really great experience. Our teacher was very helpful, friendly and patient and gave insight on the history and shapes of different Venice masks. 2 hours went by fast!”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Ca’ Rezzonico at 5 p.m. for a two-hour walk through Venice’s lanes and three bacari. You’ll sample two glasses of wine, a spritz, and cicchetti while learning Venetian words and local bar customs. The tour ends near Rialto Bridge.
“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 and second venues with insufficient time to even finish the small drinks. It was cold, lacked atmosphere or care and it was clear that the 3rd tiny brightly lit ‘plastic’ standup venue had not been organised in advance- we were glad to leave it asap in any event .Extremely disappointing , wholly lacking in any…”
At Campo San Tomà, choose from more than 50 handmade papier-mâché masks, then decorate yours with acrylic tempera colors, gold or silver details, and your own design. The artisan offers practical help, including guidance for children. The one-hour shared workshop accommodates up to eight people.
“This was a fun family time experience! It was a welcomed break for all of us to sit down in the air conditioning and still be immersed in one of Venice’s (albeit touristy) iconic crafts, like making your own masquerade mask. Not taking ourselves too seriously, we got creative, laughed and truly enjoyed making our own souvenirs. Definitely recommend it for families with kids.”
Spend about an hour at Palazzo Delle Prigioni Nuove learning to decorate a Venetian carnival mask with an artisan instructor. All materials are supplied, and the experience includes a taste of historic Venetian chocolate. The small group has a maximum of 10 people.
“Interestingly, we really had mixed emotions about this. The glass blowing felt somewhat staged and also felt like more of a pitch to sell you high end Murano Glass. The guide was informative about what makes Murano Glass special, but still the blowing demo was about 5 minutes and the sales pitch lasted a quite a while longer. The gondola ride was fun and a must for anyone in Venice. We were in a bat with four strangers and while it did not impact the ride, it was certainly not romantic. If you are looking for a romantic ride, pay the tariff and do your own ride. I am not…”
Meet near St. Mark’s Square for a private paper-mâché mask workshop led by artisan Igor and his wife. In two two-hour sessions, you mold a mask in an ancient stone mold, then decorate it with color, crystals, gold leaf, 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.”
You use a Carnival-edition mobile app, map, and riddles to explore Venice from Piazzale Roma to the Rialto area and Doge’s Palace prisons. Along the way, you cross three Grand Canal bridges, photograph three marked points, learn Carnival tales, and decorate a white Venetian mask during a 20-minute class.
“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”
At Carta Alta in Venice, you choose a paper-mache mask, learn about Bauta, Moretta, Commedia dell’Arte, and Plague Doctor designs, then decorate it with paints and baroque techniques. The English workshop lasts about 90 minutes, serves no more than six people, and includes all materials.
“It was lots of fun. A family of 6 and all ages. We all had a great time . The masks turned out great and we all left happy.”
Use a Carnival Edition mobile app and map to find Venetian corners, fields, bridges, churches, and anecdotes in about two hours. Finish with a white carnival mask and a 20-minute decorating lesson from a mask craftsman inside the historic Palazzo delle Prigioni.
“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 l'idée était excellente. Pour le prix par personne, je suis extrement déçue .”
Join licensed guide Valerio Coppo for a two-hour walk through Carnival traditions, a master mask maker’s workshop, and an optional costume session at Sogno Veneziano Atelier. For €65 extra, dress in handcrafted clothes and masks, then receive professional digital photos.
“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”
Pick a monument, a boat or a counter bar.
