Thousands of people from all over the world visited Venice over the weekend, as the Italian city kicked off its carnival season with the traditional opening water parade on the Cannaregio Canal.

This year's moon-themed floating parade saw a variety of dance, acrobatic and fire performances animate the canal onboard small boats and rafts, and featured at its centre a giant moon balloon carrying a caravel, a small sailing ship dating back to the 15th century.

The Seconda Materia Artistic Group based the show on an imaginary trip from Venice to the moon, paying homage to dreamers and travellers all over the world.

This year's Venice carnival runs from 16 February to 5 March, a public party lasting for weeks leading up to the Roman Catholic period of Lent.