Watch: Giant rat leads floating parade to kick off 2026 Venice Carnival

Watch: Giant rat leads floating parade to kick off Venice Carnival 2026

The grand opening to the Venice Carnival 2026 took place on Sunday, with a variety of boats and floats making their way through the city's canals.

As is tradition, a giant paper-mâché rat aboard a gondola lead the way; known as "Pantegana", it is a long-standing symbol of the carnival.

The two-week festival attracts tourists from all over the globe, with dancers, costumes and music lighting up the city.

It marks a period of opulence before the beginning of Lent, the Christian tradition of 40 days of fasting in the run up to Easter.

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