Festivals and Events
Festivals and events that take place in Venice:
Carnevale:
Where: Piazza San Marco
When: 10 days ending on SHrove Tuesday
It is the worlds largest and most famous masked ball. It inlcudes fun for the whole family. Parades, games and more. People participate wearing masks and perform plays. Kids have time to learn about how people lived in society long time ago and adults have so much time to just enjoy it.
Biennale d’Arte Contemporanea & Architetture
Where Giardini di Castello.
When Art (odd years) June-Nov. Architecture (even years) Sept-Nov.
The Biennale d’Arte, established in 1895, is the Jeux sans Frontres of the contemporary art world; its architectural counterpart draws a strong crowd.
Festa del Redentore
Where Bacino di San Marco, Canale della Giudecca.
When: 3rd weekend of July.
The Redentore is the oldest continuously celebrated date on the Venetian calendar. At the end of a plague epidemic in 1576, the city commissioned Andrea Palladio to build a church on the Giudecca – Il Redentore (the Redeemer). Every July, a pontoon bridge is built across the canal that separates the Giudecca from Venice proper, so people can make the pilgrimage to the church. But, while the religious part of the festival falls on Sunday, what makes this weekend so special are the festivities on Saturday night. Boats of every shape and size gather in the lagoon between St Marks , San Giorgio, the Punta Della Dagona and the Giudecca, each holding merry-makers supplied with food and drink. This party ends in an amazing fireworks display.
Su e Zo per i Ponti
Where Across Venice.
When One Sunday in March or April.
Literally ‘Up and Down the Bridges’, this excursion is inspired by the traditional bacarada. It is an orienteering event in which you are given a map and a list of checkpoints to tick off in the city of Venice. Old hands take their time checking out the bacari along the way. Individuals can register at the starting line in piazza San Marco on the morning of the event, while groups should phone ahead. Costumes, music and dancing liven up the route.
Festa di San Marco
Where Bacino di San Marco, the island of Santa Elena and the Punta Della Dagona
When 25 Apr.
The traditional feast day of Venice’s patron saint is a surprisingly low-key affair. In the morning, there is a solemn Mass in the basilica, followed by a gondola regatta between the island of Santa Elena and the Punta Della Dagona at the entrance to the Grand Canal. The day is also known as La Festa del boccolo (‘bud’): red rosebuds are given to wives and lovers.