Thousands of residents and tourists eagerly gathered to see the show. Venice Carnival will last until 5 March and the mid-winter celebration is expected to attract up to three million visitors and spectators.
The theme of this season's Carnival of Venice is Creatum Civitas Ludens, meaning "City created for games".
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A masked reveller poses in Venice's Riva degli Schiavoni on the opening day of the Venice Carnival on 17 February 2019.
© AFP 2023 / Vincenzo Pinto
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People watch a water parade marking the beginning of carnival season, along the Rio di Cannaregio canal in Venice, Italy, 16 February 2019.
© REUTERS / Manuel Silvestri
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A woman and children walk past a masked reveller standing in Venice's St Mark Square on the opening day of the Venice Carnival on 17 February 2019.
© AFP 2023 / Vincenzo Pinto
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A masked reveller smiles aboard a ferry on the Grand Canal during the opening regatta of the Venice Carnival on 17 February 2019.
© AFP 2023 / Vincenzo Pinto
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Venetians row during the masquerade parade on the Grand Canal during the Carnival in Venice, Italy 17 February 2019.
© REUTERS / Manuel Silvestri
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A masked woman checks her smartphone as she sits on a gondola during the water parade, part of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday 17 February 2019. The Venice carnival in the historical lagoon city attracts people from around the world.
© AP Photo / Antonio Calanni
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Artists perform during the 'Tutta colpa della Luna' or 'Blame the Moon' festivities down the Rio di Cannaregio, one of Venice's famed canals on 16 February 2019. Venice began its annual Carnival festivities with a floating, night-time parade starting more than two weeks of celebrations to mark 50 years since man first walked on the moon.
© AFP 2023 / Vincenzo Pinto
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Masked reveler poses during the Venice Carnival in Venice, Italy 1 February 2019.
© REUTERS / Manuel Silvestri
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A masked reveller poses in Venice's Riva degli Schiavoni on the opening day of the Venice Carnival on 17 February 2019.
© AFP 2023 / Vincenzo Pinto
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Masked people stand on a gondola during the water parade, part of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, 17 February 2019. The Venice carnival in the historical lagoon city attracts people from around the world.
© AP Photo / Antonio Calanni
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A masked man stands on a gondola during the water parade, part of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, 17 February 2019. The Venice carnival in the historical lagoon city attracts people from around the world.
© AP Photo / Antonio Calanni
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Masked men sail on a boat during the water parade, part of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, 17 February 2019. The Venice carnival in the historical lagoon city attracts people from around the world. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
© AP Photo / Antonio Calanni
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A masked woman stands on a gondola during the water parade, part of the Venice Carnival, in Venice, Italy, Sunday, 17 February 2019. The Venice carnival in the historical lagoon city attracts people from around the world.
© AP Photo / Antonio Calanni
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Decorated boats move on the Grand Canal near the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute during the opening regatta of the Venice Carnival on 17 February 2019.
© AFP 2023 / Vincenzo Pinto
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A masked reveller wearing traditional carnival costumes poses in font of the San Giorgio church in Venice on 16 February 2019.
© AFP 2023 / Vincenzo Pinto