CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN VENICE

Although it begins after the Epiphany (January, 6) and finishes on Shrove Tuesday, the main events related to carnival unfold on the ten days preceding Ash Wednesday. A wide range of plays and concerts are performed in the main squares of the city on those days, while lots of stands selling masks and traditional costumes attracts hundreds of people from all over the world. The program of carnival changes every year according to the theme chosen for the ongoing edition and in many venues of the city it is possible to have fun, dance and take part in a unique masked dinner party. Our suggestion: do not miss out on the spectacular carnival parades in St. Mark’s Square and the impressive evening shows on the water at the Arsenal.

This is a non-competitive solidarity walk held in Venice where thousands of people of all ages walk through lanes, bridges and squares of the city following a route that starts in St. Mark’s Square. This walk is a good occasion to discover the secrets of Venice and to collect funds that go to charitable projects.

The Venice Biennale is an international cultural exhibition that focuses on contemporary visual arts and architecture in alternating years, and on contemporary dance, cinema, music and theatre annually. It is held in the area between the Arsenal and the Giardini where the main permanent pavilions of international countries are built, and in many other venues of the city.

This is the day of the Saint patron of the city. According to a romantic tradition, every lover gives the loved one a red rose bud in memory of a legend that tells the tragical love story between Tancredi, a poor troubadour, and Lucrezia, the daughter of the Doge Participazio (9 th century). Nowadays, men are used to give a red rose bud to all women of their families as a token of love or affection.

On this Day Venice celebrates the Marriage of the Sea. In ancient times it was the Doge who went out to sea on board of the Bucentaur, a ceremonial barge, and threw a precious golden ring into the water in front of the Lido Island as a token of the deep and never- ending bond between the city and the sea. Nowadays, the mayor tosses a laurel wreath into the water in memory of all Fallen at Sea, along with the traditional ring.

The boat show is an ideal opportunity for those in the boating industry to network, learn about the latest trends, meeting clients and showcase products and services. The line-up of yachts is never anything of impressive as the show hosts more than 270 exhibitors. The event spans 5 days between May and June and is headquartered in Venice, in the area of the Arsenal where you can also admire the famous sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn “Building Bridges” formed by six pairs of giant hands embodying humanity’s universal values – Friendship, Faith, Help, Love, Hope and Wisdom. They are united to represent the human ability to overcome barriers and act together.

This race brings together thousands and thousands of rowing enthusiasts who gather at 8.30 am in St. Mark’s basin on board of their own oak boat to start rowing following a precise track around the islands of the lagoon (Sant’Erasmo, San Francesco del Deserto, Burano and Mazzorbo) and finally down the Grand Canal to the starting point. The Vogalonga (which means “long row”) is scheduled to tie up with Pentecost Sunday.

The four vessels of the ancient Maritime Republics (Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice) compete against each other in St. Marks’s basin preceded by a historical parade where people dressed up in costumes play the role of ancient characters that characterized each republic. The event is held every year on a day between May and July and is hosted in rotation between these cities. The next appointment in Venice will be in 2027.

The church of the Redeemer on the Giudecca Island was built by Palladio to fulfil the vow of the Doge and give thanks to God for the end of the terrible plague epidemic of 1576. Since then, a bridge of barges built on those days on the Zattere connects Venice to the island and allows pilgrims to reach the church on the other side of the canal to worship the Redeemer for that miracle. The feast takes place every year on the third Sunday of July but it is on Saturday night that hundreds of decorated boats gather in St. Mark’s basin to wait for a magnificent firework show on the water just before midnight. Who does not have a boat can enjoy the show from the shores along the Riva degli Schiavoni or the Zattere. A huge banquet with typical dishes is prepared on the Giudecca and the night finishes on the Lido beach where people wait for the dawn singing, dancing and drinking good wine. Some regattas take place on the Canale della Giudecca on Sunday afternoon.

This festival is part of the Biennale and runs every year between the end of August and the beginning of September on the island of the Lido. On these days Venice hosts many events and parties, interviews and meeting with filmmakers and actors and it is possible to watch the movies in competition.

This is one of the most important events in Venice. It takes place on the first Sunday of September in the afternoon along the Grand Canal. From the shores, the bridges and some floating stands thousands of tourists take pictures of this sumptuous colorful historical water parade remembering the entrance of the Queen of Cyprus Caterina Cornaro after her abdication in 1489 in favor of Venice. Gondoliers wearing costumes sail along the canal reproducing the procession of the Doges, his wife, the Queen of Cyprus and the ambassadors at the time of the Serenissima.

The Venice Glass Week takes place annually in September and is an international festival that celebrates, supports and promotes the art of glassmaking. The event features a lot of exhibitions, installations, guided tours, workshops and conferences in Venice, Murano and Mestre. All editions have drawn thousands of visitors so far as well as scholars and artists interested in the history, technology and development of this art that has been for centuries one of the cornerstones of the economic activity of the Lagoon City.

This fair that takes place in the Arsenal of Venice celebrates the Italian art and craftsmanship, highlighting the creativity and talent of master artisans from various regions of Italy. It is a real showcase of fine fabrics, ceramic work, jewelry, blown glass, musical instruments, lacework, leather good, designer furniture, and much more. During the fair it is possible to meet the artisans and discover the creative process behind each item.

This competitive marathon starts in Stra, near Padua and finishes in Venice. It draws thousands of runners from all over the world who can reach the lagoon city passing though the Riviera del Brenta and the Venetian mainland.

The beautiful baroque church of Santa Maria della Salute was built as a vow at the end of a terrible pandemic of plague which hit the city in 1630. A never-ending procession of believers still crosses the votive bridge built for this occasion to reach the church from Santa Maria del Giglio and offer their prayers to the Virgin Mary every year on November 21. On the square in front of the church it is possible to buy candles, friedcakes, candy floss and seasonal sweets as well as balloons for children. Venetians traditionally eat the castradina, a dish made of savoy cabbage and mutton in broth.