A calendar of Venice year round festivals and events
FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN VENICE
Month by month festival listings
January
Venice has several celebrations, all linked to Epiphany, including a regatta and bonfires.
NEW YEAR’S SWIM
Hundreds of people gather at Lido di Venezia to celebrate the New Year and take a dip in the chilly waters.
BRUSA LA VECIA
Brusa la Vecia is the name of the celebrations on the eve of the Epiphany which consist of lighting bonfires as a sign of good luck for the year ahead
EPIPHANY: JAN 6th
Epiphany is a national holiday (being the last day of the Christmas holidays). Various events are held such fairs, festivals, concerts and fireworks
LA BEFANA
For Italian children on January 5th/6th it is tradition to hang stockings out the window or on the fireplace, waiting for the old witch riding her broom to fill stockings with sweet treats for good children and coal for bad children. The Befana celebrations are linked to pre-Christian traditions
LA BEFANA REGATTA
One of the most popular events at Epiphany is La Befane Regatta Race.
Members of the oldest rowing club of Venice the Bucintoro, dress-up as old witches and process/race from S. Tomà to the Rialto Bridge. The finish line has on an enormous sock hanging down from Rialto Bridge. A typical schedule would be arrival at the Rialto at 10:00 with various activities until 11:30.
February
The month of the big winter event – Venice Carnival
VENICE CARNIVAL (CARNEVALE)
With its origins dating back some 1000 years, Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) is one of the biggest and most popular events in the calendar. Seeing St Mark’s Square full of people dressed up in historical costumes and wearing a variety of masks is a sight worth experiencing.
Each year the full programme of events is published on the Carnevale’s own website in English and Italian. The link is below.
Carnival events lead up to Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras). These include the Flight of the Angel in St Mark’s Square, parades, live performances and much more besides. Masked balls (masquerade ball) are available and although many are private or invite only, the official Dinner & Ball of the Venice Carnival 2020 in the majestic Ca ‘Vendramin Calergi Palace is open to everyone. Be aware that it’s not cheap!
TIP
Venice can be very busy during Carnevale especially at weekends. To avoid the crowds, come midweek.
March
A quieter month for festivals, depending upon when Easter is!
Depending on the date for Easter, either this month could have part of the Venice Carnival or Easter. Holy Week, the week leading up to and including Easter, is avery important one in the Italian religious calendar.
FESTA DELLA DONNA
Festa della Donna (Women’s Day/ Mother’s Day/ Mothering Sunday) celebrations take place on the nearest Sunday to March the 8th. A procession of decorated boats parade down the Grand Canal arriving at the Church of Santa Maria della Salute at 10:00 with and award ceremony in the Campo della Salute at 11:00.
April
Feast Day of St Mark and Bocolo plus Su e Zo per i Ponti
FEAST OF BOCOLO
Takes place on the Feast of Saint Mark. According to legend, the tradition originated in the 8th century, when a man of low social standing is said to have fallen in love with a noblewoman from Venice. In order to win her father’s approval, he became involved in a distant war. He was mortally wounded in battle, but managed to pluck a rose from a nearby rosebush for his loved one. A companion was entrusted with returning the blood-stained rose to his lover.
On this day (25th April) it is customary to give a rosebud to your loved one.
FEAST OF SAN MARCO
The Feast of Saint Mark (Italian: Festa di san Marco) takes place on the 25th of April celebrating Venice’s patron saint, Saint Mark. Events to celebrate the day can include: parades, string quartets, historical dances, re-enactments of past battles, concerts and the Regata dei Traghetti. This takes place between the island of Sant’ Elena and the Punta della Dogana at the entrance to the Grand Canal. The regatta can be viewed from any of the streets along the shore from Saint Mark’s Square to Viale Giardini Pubblici.
SU E ZO PER I PONTI
Su e Zo per i Ponti (On and Off the Bridges) is held every spring (around the 18th of April) and is a non-competitive walk starting in Piazza San Marco. Walkers follow a route through Venice, which leads them through calli (streets), campi (squares) and ponti (bridges). The Su e Zo is also known as Solidarity Walk because the revenues of the event go to charitable projects.
Different routes are laid out for various age groups: the main circuit runs over 47 bridges and is 12 km long whereas a shorter route is 7 km long and crosses 27 bridges. Beverages is provided by the organisators along the track. About 400-600 volunteers help with the organisation and implementation of the event, which is visited by about 10 to 12,000 participants every year
May
Venice’s traditonal Marriage of the Sea re-enactment plus the Vogalonga rowing event and artichoke festival
MARRIAGE OF THE SEA
Around the 23rd/24th of May the historical re-enactment of Venice’s marriage of the Sea takes place. This grand procession of traditional Venetian rowing boats starts at San Marco and heads to Lido di Venezia.
The ceremony symbolized the maritime dominion of Venice. Every year the doge dropped a consecrated ring into the sea, and with the Latin words “Desponsamus te, mare, in signum veri perpetuique dominii” (“We wed thee, sea, as a sign of true and everlasting domination”) declaring Venice and the sea to be indissolubly one.
The festival is recreated annually with the Mayor of Venice taking on the traditional role which was historically executed by the Doge.
PURPLE ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL
Around the 12th of May, growers from the island of Sant’Erasmo celebrate the purple artichoke with tastings, information and more. You can also buy direct from the growers.
VOGALONGA
The Vogalonga is a non-competitive rowing event created as a form of protest against the deterioration of the city and the adverse effects of wave motion caused by motor traffic in the lagoon.
Today, and with over 1000 participants in boats from canoes to traditional Venetian vessels, the 30KM (18.6 mile) race starts in Bacino S.Marco go via S.Elena, Vignole, S. Erasmo and San Francesco del Deserto. Halfway through the course the rowers will reach Burano, and after flanking the islands of Mazzorbo, Madonna del Monte and San Giacomo in Paludo, the procession will head into Murano via its Grand Canal. Once participants return to Venice they will proceed along the canale di Cannereggio to get to the Grand Canal and from there they will reach their destination at Punta della Dogana opposite San Marco.
The event takes place around the 23rd of May
June
Republic Day, Art Night Venezia and the Biennale exhibitions
REPUBLIC DAY
June 2 is a national holiday for Republic Day. The day celebrates the official formation of the Republic of Italy after World War II.
BIENNALE
The Biennale Art Expo opens in June of odd-numbered years, but in even-numbered years, there are biennales dedicated to architecture, dance and other arts. See our Biennale page for more information. These start in June and are open until November each year.
ART NIGHT VENEZIA
Art Night Venice celebrates the arrival of summer with art exhibitions, activities and music for the shortest night of the year starting from 6.30pm onwards
VENICE NIGHT TRAIL
Venice Night Trail gives you the experience of running at night in Venice. The race course of 16 kilometers and 51 bridges. The race takes you through most areas of Venice
July
Feast Day of the Redeemer (Festa del Redentore), a huge event in Venice, with boat races, a pontoon bridge to Guidecca and a wonderful display of fireworks across the water and Venice Jazz Festival
FEAST OF THE REDEEMER
The Festa del Redentore is an event held in Venice the third Sunday of July. The festival celebrates the end of the plague in 1576 with fireworks over St Mark’s Basin and events around the Redentore church on Giudecca. The island is connected to the rest of Venice by a pontoon bridge allowing people to walk across the waters to the church. The walkway is one of the popular attractions.
There are various masses and blessings held during the feast with the famous fireworks display being held at 11.30pm. Popular places to see the fireworks from are St Mark’s Square, Riva degli Schiavoni, or Zattere. Be aware that people start to pick their viewing positions from the afternoon, so arrive early!
The festival ends with three regattas in Giudecca canal with historic Venetian boats competing against one another. These races start at around 4pm
VENICE JAZZ FESTIVAL
Normally held at the end of July, the festival has a number of outdoor events – often free – in Saint Mark’s Square and elsewhere throughout the city along with impromptu jazz sessions. There’s always a major headline act – past participants have included Sting, Pat Metheny, and Wynton Marsalis.
BIENNALE
The Biennale Art Expo opens in June of odd-numbered years, but in even-numbered years, there are biennales dedicated to architecture, dance and other arts. See our Biennale page for more information. These start in June and are open until November each year.
August
Italian holidays and the start of the Venice Film Festival this month or next
FERRAGOSTO
August the 15th is the start of the Italian holidays also know as Ferragosto. During this time many Italians head to the seaside or the mountains. Due to this, some businesses in Venice may be closed
VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
This festival starts at either the end of August or the beginning of September on the island of Lido di Venezia. See September Festivals for more information.
PELLESTRINA REGATTA
The island of Pellestrina hosts a regatta on the first Sunday in August every year. Both teams (women’s and mens) compete in traditional Venetian boats
CINEMA UNDER THE STARS
In Campo San Paolo from late July to late August various movies are shown on a huge screen in the square with 1,300 seats as part of the Arena di Campo San Polo film festival.
BIENNALE
The Biennale Art Expo opens in June of odd-numbered years, but in even-numbered years, there are biennales dedicated to architecture, dance and other arts. See our Biennale page for more information. These start in June and are open until November each year.
September
Venice Historical Regatta and the Venice Film Festival
VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
The Venice Film Festival or International Exhibition of Cinematographic Art of the Venice Biennale is the world’s oldest film festival and one of the “Big Three” film festivals, alongside the Cannes Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival
The festival is held in late August or early September on the island of the Lido in the Venice Lagoon. Screenings take place in the historic Palazzo del Cinema on the Lungomare Marconi.
Celebrities that have graced the red carpet at the festival include Charlie Chaplin, Orson Welles, John Ford, Federico Fellini, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick and Clint Eastwood amongst many others.
VENICE HISTORICAL REGATTA
The Historic Regatta (Regata Storica) is the main event in the annual “Voga alla Veneta” rowing calendar. The regatta is particularly well-known for the spectacular historical water pageant that precedes the race. Scores of typically 16th century-style boats with gondoliers in period costume carry the Doge, the Doge’s wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials up the Grand Canal in a brightly coloured parade.
Today there are four races divided in terms of age and type of craft. The best known and most exciting of these is the “Campioni su Gondolini” race, where a series of small, sporting gondolas fly down the Grand Canal to the finishing line at the famous “machina”, the spectacular floating stage located in front of the Ca’ Foscari palace
VENICE GLASS WEEK
This international festival of glass includes exhibitions, demonstrations, guided tours and more. The festival features over 200 events in more than 100 different venues. There’s also a childrens programe of events
REGATTA DI BURANO
Taking place the third weekend of September, this is Burano’s regatta using traditional vessels. During day there’s polenta and fish in the square plus food stands to taste the delights of Venice’s Northern Lagoon islands. In the afternoon there are various regattas for men, women and children.
BIENNALE
The Biennale Art Expo opens in June of odd-numbered years, but in even-numbered years, there are biennales dedicated to architecture, dance and other arts.
The International Festival of Contemporary Music is held in late September. This is part of the Biennale.
October
Venice Historical Regatta and Opera Season
OPERA SEASON
Italy is the birthplace of opera and Venice’s opera house, La Fenice, traditionally begins its season in October each year but this is subject to change. The opera requires you to wear appropriate dress. Contact La Fenice for more information.
FESTA DEL MOSTO
Every first Sunday of October the Festivities Committee of Sant’ Erasmo Island organizes the “festa de mosto” (Festival of the must, freshly pressed grape juice)
The festivities start with the blessing of farm wagons and is followed by wine tastings, pressing demonstrations, entertainment and more.
VENICE MARATHON
The Venice Marathon is held every year on the fourth Sunday of October. The race starts at Villa Pisani on the Brenta Canal and finishes on the Riva Sette Martiri in Venice.
There’s also a 10KM non competitive race open to everyone on the last 10 kms of the Venice Marathon course, giving everyone the chance to experience the beauty of the Venice Marathon.
BIENNALE
The Biennale Art Expo opens in June of odd-numbered years, but in even-numbered years, there are biennales dedicated to architecture, dance and other arts. See our Biennale page for more information. These start in June and are open until November each year.
November
Festa della Salute
FESTA DELLA SALUTE
The Festa della Salute is held on November 21st and is another big Venetian festival celebrating the end of the plague in 1631. Around 1/3rd of Venetians lost their lives and the church was built as an offering of thanks if the remainder of the city was spared. While this festival isn’t really aimed at tourists, it’s worthwhile seeing if you’re in Venice in November.
December
Hanukkah, Christmas & Christmas Markets and New Year’s Eve
HANUKKAH
In Venice, Hanukkah is traditionally celebrated in the Venetian Ghetto. The large Menorah is lit each night each night and there is foods and activities.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS
There are usually a few small markets in Venice.
This page will be updated when new dates are released
CHRISTMAS DAY
A public holiday in Venice as is the 26th of December
NEW YEAR’S EVE
The main event is in St Mark’s Square with bells ringing from the campanile (St Mark’s bell tower), followed by the wonderful New Year’s Eve firework display over the lagoon.