Events in Venice
Venice has many public holidays!! You may well know about Carnival, but did you know about Redentore or even Festa della Salute?!
You may find that while you are here one of these holidays with it’s unique festivities is taking place. You may even want to schedule our vacation so as to take advantage of experiencing something different.
- CARNEVALE - February (10 days before beginning of Lent)
This is probably one of the biggest event that takes place in Venice. The city claims to be the originator of Carnival and it maintains the old world traditions of lore. Witness the Flight of the Angel, the costumes, the masks, the music, the parade, the food, etc... Come for the FUN! - ST. MARK'S DAY – April 25
The day that celebrates the Patron Saint of Venice. Along with gondola races in the lagoon, men will give their wives, mothers and girlfriends a red rose. - REDENTORE – 3rd Saturday of July
For Americans this is like The 4th of July of Venice! And for Brits this will remind you of Bonfire night!! This day celebrates the ending of the Plague and is a must see event. Venetians claim their place along the waterfront to set up their chairs and tables picnic style and eat and drink all day long waiting for the evening to come. Hundreds of boats of all sizes enter the lagoon partying and anxiously awaiting the fireworks display of the night above the city of Venice. - BIENNALE – June-September
Odd number years host the World’s biggest Contemporary Art Exhibition in the Giardini of Venice and all over the city. Even number years host the World’s largest Architecture exhibition. Artists and Architects and lovers of the two come from all over the world to participate in this event already in it’s 52nd year. - MOSTRA DEL CINEMA - September
The Venice International Film Festival, Italy’s version of Cannes, is held annually at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido. The festival attracts an array of movie stars and paparazzi to the Lido. You might just see George Clooney in a taxi boat or Antonio Banderas shopping in a store, you never know! - REGATA STORICA - 1ST Sunday of September
This historic series of rowing races along the Grand Canal is preceded by a multifarious parade of boats, many decorated in 15th century style and powered by crews in period costume. Venetians first organized a rowing race in 1274 and have been doing it ever since. Do not miss this beautiful show, where gondoliers and other boatsmen compete in a stunning regatta down Venice’s majestic “highway”. - FESTA DELLA MADONNA DELLA SALUTE – 21st November
This procession over a pontoon bridge accross the Grand Canal to the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute is to give thanks for the city’s deliverance from the plague in 1630. Venetians light candles in the church to give thanks for a year of good health.
