Venice Events Calendar

Throughout the year, the city of Venice, Italy, plays host to numerous festivals, exhibitions and events. There are many dates important to Venice , some celebrating local history and traditions and some are national holidays, where shops, banks, offices and schools are closed.

Below are listed a selection of special events taking place in Venice throughout the calendar year.

NEW YEARS DAY, JANUARY 1st
An official National Holiday, you'll still find some shops, cafe's, bars and restaurants open for business. To quickly get over your hangover from the night before, go down to the Public beach on the Lido where you can join others taking their first swim of the new year in the freezing waters of the lagoon.

EPIPHANY,  JANUARY 6th 
One of the biggest days of the festive season for Italians. In a way it's there equivalent to Christmas Day. Where legends speak of a witch, who like Santa Claus delivers presents to those children who have been good.

GIORGIONE, THE MARVEL OF HIS ART
From November 1st to February 22nd. The Accademia Gallery in Venice plays host to an extraordinary exhibition dedicated to Zorzi da Castelfranco, known as Giorgione, one of the most fascinating painters of the Renaissance.

VENICE CARNIVAL
The 2004 Venice Carnival will last a week longer than normally, running from 22nd January until 12th February, 2005. For more information

VALENTINE'S DAY, FEBRUARY 14th
Taking place during the Carnival, plan ahead to make your Valentine's day a special occasion in Venice. Contact us for more information

ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH
Ash Wednesday - According to the Catholic church, this is the day where the faithful are reminded of their fragile nature (ash, dust). It is also the beginning of Lent, when the Catholic faithful exercise restrain by fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and to abstain from eating meats on each Friday leading to Easter Day.

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 9th
Good Friday - it is not a public holiday but many religious activities take place. All religious statues are covered to commemorate the death of Christ on the Cross. Also churches' bells are tied and would not ring until Sunday when, according to the Christian tradition, Christ rises from the dead.

EASTER SUNDAY & EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 11th & 12th
The Easter weekend tends to be one of the busiest weekends in Venice. Especially, considering the number of important churches that the city of Venice boasts.

St. MARKS DAY / LIBERATION DAY, APRIL 25th
Liberation Day - is also St Marks day, the patron saint of Venice ; on this day it is tradition for the men to present a rose (bocolo) to their lover.

LABOR DAY, MAY 1st - National Holiday

FEAST OF SENSA, MAY 9th
Also Known as Ascension Day. On this day, in ancient times  the Doge and members of the government, on board the "Bucintoro", a magnificent, gilded and richly adorned ceremonial boat, were rowed to S. Nicolò del Lido.

Where a ceremony took place  to renew the rite of the union between the Republic and the sea, with the Doge throwing a ring into the lagoon with the Latin words 'Desponsamus te, mare, in signum veri perpetuique dominii' (We espouse thee, O sea, in sign of our real and perpetual dominion over thee). 

This ceremony is still repeated today with great solemnity. Today, the same ritual is carried out by the Mayor, accompanied by the Patriarch of Venice and by the highest civil and military authorities.

VOGALONGA, MAY 30th
30th Vogalonga - Non competitive rowing race. In the morning, all boats of various shapes and sizes get together in St Mark's Basin to await the start. The 30 kilometre course runs through the lagoon islands before returning to Venice at the Punta della Dogana.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC, JUNE 2nd
A National Holiday.

REDENTORE FEAST DAY & REGATTA OF THE REDEEMER, 3RD WEEKEND OF JULY
One of the oldest Venetian festivals, it is celebrated on the third weekend in July to remember the end of the plague in the year 1576. A bridge built on boats is created to allow the faithful to walk across the Grand Canal to the Giudecca church. For more information

Not to be missed, on the Saturday night, is the fireworks display, one of the best in the world. Venetians usually watch the show on board hundreds of boats; after the display, they leave for the Lido to await the sunrise. For more information

THE FEAST OF SAN ROCCO, 16TH AUGUST

One of the most unusual Venetian traditions is the feast of San Rocco, celebrated on the 16th August. Its theatricality surprises visitors to the city, as usually at around 6 pm the procession takes place under the canopy of the Doge, a red canvas covered way extending along a small section of Campo San Rocco in front of the Guildhall made famous by the painting cycle by Tintoretto.

The covered way continues to the church dedicated to the miracle performing saint where lie his mortal remains. On that day there is no charge to enter the Guildhall ( Scuola Grande) of San Rocco.

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL, 1st WEEK OF SEPTEMBER
The longest running film festival in the world, is also one of the most important, and many of Hollywood's biggest stars visit the city during this time. Although, the event takes place on the Lido, there are cinema screens to be found in all the major square's and campo's throughout the city.

HISTORICAL REGATTA, SEPTEMBER 5th
Held every year on the first Sunday of September, this is one of Venice 's finest pageants, a showcase of the rowing skills of the city's men and women. A procession of richly decorated boats, their crews in period costumes, travels down the Grand Canal . The finale is the competitive race between gondoliers. For more details

19th VENICE MARATHON, OCTOBER 24th
Official marathon along the Brenta Riviera to Venice

ALL SAINTS DAY, NOVEMBER 1st
National Holiday

FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF GOOD HEALTH, NOVEMBER 21ST
Similar to the Feast of the Redentore, this celebration marks the end of the 1630 plague. Again, a pontoon of boats is lined up to allow worshippers to cross the Canal to reach the Salute basilica.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DECEMBER 8th
National Holiday

CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25th
National Holiday

BOXING DAY DECEMBER 26th
National Holiday. Also known as St Stephens day

NEW YEARS EVE, DECEMBER 31st
Just like everywhere else on New Years, expect the prices for hotels, restaurants and other services to be much higher than normal. Harry's Bar at San Marco advertised their New Years Eve gala dinner at a ridiculous price of 1,200 E per person. Typically expect a price tag of 150 - 250 E per person for a meal in a fine restaurant on New Years Eve.

Top