Saturday 30 January 2027 · Palazzo Zen ai Frari
The Ball of Dreams, the masquerade ball at Palazzo Zen ai Frari
A night of lights, music and magic in an eighteenth-century Venetian palace, in the time of Casanova: welcome cocktail, dinner on the Piano Nobile, dancers, musicians and commedia dell'arte performers led by an ever-present Casanova, then disco and open bar late into the night. Seven hours of celebration. We book your package, your period costume and the water taxi from your hotel and back.
At a glance
- Where?
- At Palazzo Zen ai Frari, in the San Polo district: halls of eighteenth-century Venice.
- When?
- Saturday 30 January 2027. Doors open at 8 pm, about seven hours.
- Dress code?
- Period costume and Venetian mask. With the Gala Room ticket, elegant evening wear with a mask is enough.
- Price?
- In 2027 from 690 to 1,990 euro per person, depending on package and hall; the Dream packages include the costume.
The evening programme
Saturday 30 January 2027. The programme is that of the 2026 edition: we flag any change with your proposal.
Before the ball
Costume fitting at the atelier
With the Dream packages the atelier asks for your measurements and suggests the available models, over a hundred. The fitting takes place a few days before, until 11 pm if you arrive the day before; that is where you receive your personal invitation.
8 pm
Arrival and welcome cocktail
The palace doors open: appetisers and entertainment. With the VLS ball package you arrive by water taxi from your hotel.
9 pm
Dinner on the Piano Nobile
Dinner in the Side Room or the Central Hall, depending on your ticket, at shared tables of 8 to 10.
During dinner
Shows
International artists and commedia dell'arte; the main shows take place in the Central Hall.
11:30 pm
Disco and open bar
The party goes on late into the night; at the end the water taxi takes you back to your hotel.
Tickets and packages
In 2027 from 690 to 1,990 euro per person depending on package and hall. Below, the 2026 prices for reference: 2027 prices are confirmed in writing before you book. We can add a return water taxi to any package.
-
01
Gala Carnival Room Ticket
Access to the whole evening, main shows in the Central Hall, dinner in the Side Room on the Piano Nobile. Dress code: elegant evening wear and mask, not included.
2026 edition: 690 € per person
-
02
Dream Package
Access to the whole evening with dinner in the Central Hall. Period costume included; mask not included.
2026 edition: 1,200 € per person
-
03
Luxury Dream Package
Dinner in the Central Hall facing the stage, with a costume from the Luxury collection included; mask not included.
2026 edition: 1,490 € per person
-
04
Royal Dream Package
In the Central Hall facing the stage, at a reserved table for one or two.
2026 edition: 1,690 € per person
-
05
VLS ball package
The package you choose, plus a private water taxi from your hotel's water entrance to the landing nearest the palace, and back after the party. On request, the water taxi to your costume fitting too.
Tailored proposal, one price
Our water taxi
Costumes and terms
- What the costume includes. Women: full dress, petticoat or panier depending on the era, handbag, gloves and collar. Men: full dress, shirt, lace, shoes, socks and tricorn where provided. Wigs and masks are not rented for hygiene reasons and must be purchased.
- Book early. The earlier you book, the wider the choice of models at the atelier.
- No refunds. Because of high demand, once the booking is confirmed no refund is given for any reason: we recommend travel insurance. If the organiser cancels the event, the booking moves to the next edition.
- Photos and video. The evening is filmed and photographed for promotional use: tell the organiser if you prefer not to appear. Photos can be sent on request.
- Children welcome. The ball is suitable for families with children; dance directions are given in Italian and English.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Ball of Dreams?
A Venice Carnival masquerade ball at Palazzo Zen ai Frari: doors at 8 pm with a cocktail, dinner on the Piano Nobile, shows with international artists and commedia dell'arte, then disco and open bar from 11:30 pm. It lasts about seven hours.
When is it in 2027?
Saturday 30 January 2027, doors at 8 pm.
How much does The Ball of Dreams cost?
In 2027 from 690 to 1,990 euro per person, depending on package and hall. In 2026: Gala Carnival Room Ticket 690 euro, Dream Package 1,200 euro, Luxury Dream Package 1,490 euro and Royal Dream Package 1,690 euro. We confirm the exact price in your proposal.
Is the costume included?
Yes in the Dream, Luxury Dream and Royal Dream packages; mask and wig are not. With the Gala Carnival Room Ticket you need elegant evening wear with a mask, not included.
How does costume rental work?
After booking, the atelier asks for your measurements and suggests the available models, over a hundred. The fitting takes place a few days before the ball, with sessions until 11 pm for those arriving the day before.
Are tables private?
Dinner is at shared tables of 8 to 10. With the Royal Dream Package the table is for one or two, facing the stage.
How do I get to Palazzo Zen?
In costume, the easiest way is a private water taxi: with the ball package we collect you at your hotel's water entrance, drop you at the landing nearest the palace and bring you back after the party.
What if I can no longer attend?
Once confirmed, the booking is non-refundable for any reason, so we recommend travel insurance. If the organiser cancels the event, the booking moves to the next edition.
Book your place at The Ball of Dreams
Tell us how many guests, which package and whether you would like the water taxi: we reply with availability and one price for everything.
- Packages with period costume included
- Costume fitting at the atelier before the ball
- Water taxi from your hotel to the palace and back
