Venetian Carnival Mask Making Class in Venice, Italy
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Venice, Italy
- 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Take a course on mask-making from a master artisan in Venice, and learn about the history of this ancient tradition. See the traditional art of decorating a mask and see what goes into the preparation for the Venetian Carnival. Then create your own masterpiece to create a special memory from your time in Venice.
- Small-group, Carnival mask-making class in Venice
- Learn the ancient techniques to creating beautiful masks
- Paint and decorate your own mask to take home
- Choose from several time slots to fit your schedule
What's Included
- Decoration course (you will get to keep the decorated mask)
- All necessary paints and supplies
- Live commentary
- Hotel pickup
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Head to Saint Mark’s Square, where your venue for the mask workshop is located. You’ll be in the heart of Venice, making it easy to fit in other sightseeing plans either before or after the class.
A Venetian master artisan explains the ancient techniques of creating beautiful masks out of papier-mâché. Learn about the traditions of Venetian Carnival and masks that stretch back centuries.
Then enjoy hands-on instruction in creating your own mask led by a master. After the class ends, participants get to take their masks home. Or, if you're in Venice around Carnival, then you can wear your mask and join in the celebrations.
A Venetian master artisan explains the ancient techniques of creating beautiful masks out of papier-mâché. Learn about the traditions of Venetian Carnival and masks that stretch back centuries.
Then enjoy hands-on instruction in creating your own mask led by a master. After the class ends, participants get to take their masks home. Or, if you're in Venice around Carnival, then you can wear your mask and join in the celebrations.
1
Piazza San Marco
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide (in these cases it can be postponed the days after otherwise it will be refunded)
- On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 551 reviews
Emma_M, May 2026
Georgio is a very good and patient teacher. We were easily able to make beautiful masks even without knowing what we were doing. We got to choose a paper mask and our colors. Georgio helped with the design and putting on the finishing touches. At the end we each got to take a beautiful mask home. I highly recommend this for adults & children.
Sandy_S, Apr 2026
We had an incredible time painting Venetian masks—such a fun and memorable experience in Venice. It’s a perfect activity for both adults and children. There were four of us, all adults, and we laughed the whole time while getting creative. It’s a unique way to experience the local culture, and we each left with a beautiful hand-painted mask to take home. A truly special keepsake from Venice. Highly recommend!
Frankie_J, Apr 2026
First off, I must say this will be a slightly frustrating experience for creative people who may attend the workshop with their own ideas of what they’d like to paint. There is no such opportunity, as you are strictly told to paint within the lines drawn by the tutor in a uniform manner, and I don’t deny that he is a true atelier as the shop’s display of impressive masks speak for themselves, but the experience was a little deflating for me as I wanted to create something more exciting than what I ended up with.
My boyfriend really enjoyed the experience and we both came away with masks that were artfully finished by our tutor, but every time I look at mine I feel a little frustrated at all the restrictions placed about how it was decorated.
I also got the impression that the tutor was very introverted as he gave us minimal direction then went outside to smoke as we painted, only once making small talk and saying nothing of the masks or the history of Italian theatre. For the cost of the experience, I was hoping for a little more culture than just sitting us in front of three acrylic paints and told to colour within the lines…
Laurie_E, Apr 2026
This was an excellent experience. The shop owner and Artist was very well prepared and let us through the experience very effectively. I would highly recommend it.
Craig_L, Apr 2026
It was lovely, the couple who ran the shop were very welcoming and explained the process. Easy to pick up
Breshawn_T, Apr 2026
My family and I wanted to do an activity that represented the culture of Venice and this activity was a really good time and we did learn about the history of the mask. Alvis was an amazing instructor. Will recommend to friends and family.
Aaron_P, Apr 2026
This activity was a lot of fun and was a great way to get out of the bustle of Venice and do something artistic for a couple hours. It is a great activity for kids.
Learned about the history of mask making and use in Venice.
It is a cool little shop.
Lots of fun.
Joseph_A, Apr 2026
Loved the workroom and teacher....authentic experience with history. Wish is was little longer but otherwise good.
Sylvia_A, Apr 2026
The mask making class was so much fun.
Took the class with my sister & I wasn’t too thrilled about it but she wanted to go. I am glad we took the class. Even if we hadn’t decorated masks, the shop itself with all kinds of masks and what we learned about the history of Carnival would have been enough. The instructor was so knowledgeable and his family had been making masks for years & years. The class before us at 10:30 was big about 4 or 5. My sister and I were the only participants in the 12:30 class. It was nice having the instructor to ourselves to ask about the history of Carnival, the people who participate, and the party itself! You get to choose from 4 or 5 styles of masks to paint/decorate. You can get your inspiration from the masks that are hanging in the studio or you can just sit a moment & think about if you were going to Carnival & wanted to “mask up” what would you want to look like or be. For me, that was the beauty of this class, that for two hours you were able to just sit, be quiet, talk, and have a very talented & skilled teacher help you create another “you” through your mask.
If you are looking for something different to do in Venice other than just “see the sights” this activity is definitely the one for you. What I wish I had done was go next door & order a glass of wine to sip on while I was creating my mask (there is a restaurant right next to the shop). I’ll do that the next time!
Emma_C, Apr 2026
Great experience. Local shop super fun. Easy to find, owner was super knowledgeable and nice. Very small, was only us so it felt very hands on.
Allison_K, Apr 2026
What a lovely, relaxing way to connect artistically with Venice! This was a perfect break from touring and walking around for the kids, and we felt set up for success with the help to lay out a good color pattern on our selected masks. The master artisan added the final decorative embellishments while we painted the base colors, leading to unique and beautiful souvenirs that we are happy to have with us now!
Ava_W, Mar 2026
Painting a venetian mask was so much fun. I chose my colors and George created a space on the mask to separate the colors. He added the decorative design to enhance the mask. This makes for a memorable souvenir from my time in Venice.
Susan_S, Mar 2026
What an excellent teacher and so much fun! This is a family business run for several generations. Highly recommend!
Santiago_B, Mar 2026
What a great experience this was. In addition to the mask decoration, we also got a brief history lesson of the palace. This will be on our permanent list of yearly events to do. Highly recommend!!
Renee_Z, Mar 2026
Anastasia was AMAZING. She was an excellent teacher and guided us to make some fantastic masks. There were four of us in our group. Two adults and two children. She was patient and kind and made it fun and enjoyable. And even explained the history of the Venetian masks. We highly recommend this experience and Anastasia.
Jessy_B, Feb 2026
Not really offered in French contrary to what the ad says. Also: very crowded group. But fun experience especially with family.
Susan_W, Feb 2026
Wow, Georgio was great. The whole experience was very relaxed and so informative. His knowledge on the masks is second to none. I am not very artistic but I can’t tell you how pleased I am with my mask. It was such a treat.
Douglas_P, Feb 2026
We booked this in order to make masks for a ball we were attending that evening. We met the guide who showed us to the room where the decorating took place. They gave us our choice of masks to decorate while explaining the significance of each, and they also helped us to dry them so we could leave with the finished products. Very good time, we highly recommend it.
Patrick_W, Feb 2026
This experience was such a fun, unique break from tourist spots. The artisans were incredibly helpful and saved my mask from looking like a child painted it. A creative, memorable experience to share. 🎭 You also get access to the Maleficia exhibit.
Trisha_B, Feb 2026
It is done in this cute little shop. The father and son that run the experience do an amazing job. We had a lot of fun.
Jonathan_D, Feb 2026
Excellent opportunity to spend a rainy Valentine's day in lovely Venice. Generous with paint and decoration materials, friendly and helpful staff made this attraction be amazing.
Kristian_L, Feb 2026
A very fun evening painting our masks. The shop owner provided a little history on Carnival and various mask traditions/ designs. At the end, they tidy up and add a little flair to your mask so it looks a little more like a masterpiece, and less kindergarten painting (as in my case haha). Would recommend to couples and families.
Giulia_G, Feb 2026
Fun for couple/friends. Nicola was very patient with us, he hosted us in his atelier (max 6 spots) and explained us a very basic on the Carnival and the Carnival masks. It was really interesting and the workshop activity was fun and smooth, all done by ourselves with his final touch up. Also if you are not an artistic person you will enjoy the process!
Emily_C, Feb 2026
Class was very fun but slightly rushed. Recommend arriving early. However we had a wonderful time and a fun way to celebrate carnival as well!!
Jennifer_S, Jan 2026
Ten out of ten! Went as a family of four with college aged kids and this was our favorite thing. Learned from a mask making master… generationally passed down in the same family since the 15th century.
Stacie_S, Dec 2025
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 when in Venice!
Paul_v, Dec 2025
Absolutely amazing experience. Georgio really makes the experience memorable with history about the masks and Venice itself.
Sreeja_G, Nov 2025
This was such a fun experience for us. Our girls 12 and 10 enjoyed painting the masks, and so did we! Giorgio was an excellent guide and regaled us with stories about his life in Venice. Highly recommend!
Charlotte_H, Nov 2025
The most wholesome morning! Giorgio, the owner was amazing! We spent nearly two hours not only painting our masks but enjoying his stories on the hortatory of the masks , and his personal travels on where the masks have and are taking him! We could have spent all day there
Kathryn_B, Nov 2025
Great location only 15 min walk to train station. Convenient for family of 5 to have 2 bathrooms. Really happy to have fewer tourists in the neighborhood. Everything in house was great - beds, seating options, towels, functional kitchen etc. Took family pics on balcony. Absolutely would stay here again
From $81.72
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Venetian Carnival Mask Making Class in Venice, Italy
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