twelve o'clock
For the theory of Carnival observance is , that the life of it , unlike that of most other things and beings , is intensified with a constantly crescendo movement up to the last minutes of its existence . And there now remained but an hour before midnight on the Tuesday preceding the first day of Lent , Ash Wednesday -- Dies Cinerum ! -- that sad and sober morrow which has brought with it `` sermons and soda-water '' to so many generations of revellers . Of course Carnival , according to the Calendar and Time 's hour-glass , is over at twelve o'clock on the night of Shrove Tuesday . Generally , however , in the pleasure-loving cities of Italy , a few hours ' law are allowed or winked at . The revellers are not supposed to become aware that it is past midnight till about three or four in the morning . Very generally the wind-up of the season of fun and frolic consists of what is called a `` Veglione , '' or `` great making a night of it , '' which means a masked ball at the theatre .