Venetian Carnival Mask Making Class in Venice, Italy

Overview

Available languages

English

Italian

French

Spanish

1 hour 15 minutes

Mobile ticket

If you want to live a real experience in the heart of Venice that's the right choice!

A Venetian Master Artisan will explain to you, in 1 hour course, the traditional art of decorating a mask, an artistic personal event which will make you live the preparation for the Venetian Carnival.

Create your own unique masterpiece and following your artistic streak, a special memory of an amazing experience and keep your artistic creation of the most emblematic icon of Venice!

An unconventional and handcrafted moment to live with your family or friends!

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

All necessary paints and supplies

Live commentary

Decoration course (you will get to keep the decorated mask)

Hotel pickup

What To Expect

Piazza San Marco

A Venetian master artisan will explain you the ancient technique of decorating a Venetian papier-mâché mask providing information about the use of masks in Venice during past centuries. At the end of the course, you will keep the mask as a very special souvenir to bring back home.

1 hour • Admission Included

Options

Local Artisan Studio

Discover the secrets of Carnival masks and create your own. Meet Giorgio, the mask maker and discover the secrets of this art
Starting point:
San Marco 596 Venetian Masks, P.za San Marco, 598, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Atelier in Prisons' Palace

Visit the Prison's Palace for a mask decoration workshop with a local craftsman. Make your own mask to take home.
Starting point:
Circolo Artistico - Palazzo Delle Prigioni, Riva degli Schiavoni, 4209, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

Reviews

4.60

516 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

419

Give It A Try!
Teresa S,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jo Jo our master artisan helps you to successfully create a mask. You do not have to be an artist. You really do create a mask that will be a keepsake! As an added bonus Jo Jo provides lively conversation which allows you to learn more about the history of Venice.
The mask painting was...
Kimberley B,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The mask painting was lots of fun and our children really enjoyed it. They loved trying something different rather than museum trips and tours. It was interactive, educational and we walked away with some beautiful masks.
Very interesting
Corinne M,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Beautiful experience with anecdotes Activity accessible to all Nice discovery. To do at all costs
This is a scam! Don’t do it!
sandrac948,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
I messaged the host at the designated time via trip advisor that I would be late because google maps had the wrong location. Anyone who is in Venice, and specifically any tour advisor, is aware that google maps is unreliable and that delays happen. The provider was 1) not in the shop when I arrived and a neighboring restaurant had to find him 2) even though I had arrived 15 minutes late (including the time he wasn't in the shop) refused to hold the mask making even though the event would not end until 19:00. 3) Said that he doesn't check trip advisor and It's not his responsibility and that he will not host a shortened version of the event. There was over an hour remaining when we arrived and we still could have completed it with the few minutes delay he was advised of subtracted. However, he refused to do so, stating that our bring late voided the agreement and that we should not expect him to check trip advisor. Further, he was beligerant to me and threw me out of the shop for requesting a late start due to the issues we messaged him about resulting in our delay.
Maschera Bella!
Erik S,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Giorgio is a brilliant artist with exceptional talent and knowledge of the history of Il Carnevale and the making of Venetian Masks. Amazing tutor!
Artist provided good...
Elizabeth C,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Artist provided good instruction on what to do, and also nice to get some history on the masks themselves. Fun activity.
Absolutely perfect experience!
Noell M,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was wonderful! Giorgio, the shop owner, was the most warm and inviting host:) his talents in mask making go well beyond just helping my husband and I create beautiful Venetian masks—he truly is a an incredible artist! His creations are stunning! I can not recommend visiting his shop & painting Venetian mask enough! It takes the stress away and provides a beautifully meditative atmosphere! Next time you find yourself on San Marco-stop by, say hi to Giorgio, paint a mask, and unwind!
A wonderful Experience
Andrea S,
Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was a lovely experience! The quaint little shop houses, the most fantastic masks you can imagine. The talent of the owner (he never shared his name) is spectacular. There was only one drawback. You are allowed to paint within the lines he draws and then he decorates it. Don't go thinking that you get to decorate your mask!
You don't need to be an artist
Mirelle A,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
We all came away with our personalised masks. It was great to experience painting them with a mascherari. All his family are in the business. He drew some traditional patterns on the masks and we then got to choose 3 colours to paint the design. He does the embellishment. He assured us that they wouldn't get damaged in transit, but we still opted to take them in hand luggage. The experience takes place in his shop where you can buy masks that have been decorated by his family. The whole experience lasted just over an hour.
Things to do in Venice
MICHELLE B,
Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great to dive into this experience of making a Venetian mask. Charming small family workshop run by Georgio, very friendly. We are happy to have chosen it.