Perhaps you’d like to plan your visit to Venice around one of the many cultural, sporting or musical events taking place in the city this year or maybe you’ll simply discover that, by happy coincidence, you can attend one of those listed here during your forthcoming holiday!

Until March 4th, 2025
Murano Illumina il Mondo
in Piazza San Marco. Beautiful chandeliers, the result of collaborations between internationally renowned artists and some of the most prestigious Murano furnaces, will be lit every evening between the arches of the Procuratie Vecchie in Piazza San Marco.

Until March 4th, 2025
The ice skating rink in Campo San Polo. Open every day, with the possibility of skate rental

From February 14 to March 4 2025
The Venice Carnival celebrates 300 years of Giacomo Casanova
A festival famous throughout the world for its theatricality and exuberance, its masks and merriment. A time of grand balls, celebrating in the squares, elaborate disguises and time-honoured traditions harking all the way back to the 13th century.

Some of the most anticipated Carnival events of this year:

  • A special ‘Valentine’s Day’ evening on Friday 14 February in St Mark’s Square to celebrate love.
  • The Venice Carnival Water Parade of traditional boats along the Grand Canal On Sunday, February 16
  • The Arsenale Water Show from February 21
  • The ball everyone wants to go to at least once in their life: “Il Ballo del Doge”, March 1

From Saturday 10 May to Sunday 23 November 2025 (pre-opening May 8 and 9) 2025
The 19th International Architecture ExhibitionArte

“Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.” Curated by Carlo Ratti.

25th of April.
St Mark’s Day / Festa del Bocolo
– A feast in honour of St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice. On this day Venetian men give their loved ones a single red rose known as a “Bòcolo”.

May 29th- June 2nd 2025
VENICE BOAT SHOW Arsenale,
Venice once again hosts one of the main international trade events dedicated to boating (with 270 exhibitors and 300 boats on a water basin of 55,000 sqm). The exhibition venue is the Arsenale of Venice.

1 June (The first Sunday after Ascension Day)
Festa e Regata della Sensa
– The symbolic marriage of Venice to the sea. The Mayor of Venice, civic dignitaries and religious and military representatives leave St Mark’s Square and sail, accompanied by boats and rowers in historic costume, to the Port of S. Nicolò where they ritually throw a ring into the ocean. A laurel wreath is also laid in memory of those lost at sea. There is a ceremony of the “Wedding with the Sea” in front of the Church of S. Nicolò di Lido followed by a Regatta of the Sensa and Holy Mass at the church of S. Nicolò di Lido. A Sensa market also takes place at S.Nicolò.

8 June 2025
Vogalonga
– A spectacular event attracting worldwide interest from spectators and participants alike. The vogalonga is a strenuous but friendly rowing race from St Mark’s Basin to the island of Burano returning via the Cannaregio Canal and Grand Canal before finally ending at the Punta Della Dogana. All kinds of rowing boats are involved, many from overseas. Started in 1975 by a group of rowing enthusiasts, the event is a visual feast with more than 1800 boats and more than 7000 participants.

Last week of June
Festa di San Pietro in Castello
– traditional festivities celebrated in this ancient parish found to the east of the city.

19- 20 July – (Third Weekend in July)
Festa del Redentore
– One of the Venetians’ most loved events which came into being as a feast to give thanks for the end of the plague of 1575. A pontoon bridge is built every year from the Zattere in Dorsoduro over to the Church of the Redentore on the island of Giudecca. At sunset on the Saturday a large number of decorated boats begin congregating in St Mark’s Basin and people line the lantern-strung waterfronts to party, eat traditional food and to wait for the fireworks to begin (a breathtaking spectacle which begins at 11.30pm and lasts until after midnight). A wonderfully atmospheric evening which is followed on the Sunday with church services and a regatta on the Giudecca Canal.

27th August – 6th September 2025
Venice International Film Festival
– For cinephiles, the Venice Film Festival is a highlight of the cultural calendar. From glamorous red carpet events to thought-provoking screenings, the festival will captivate audiences and shine a spotlight on some of the most compelling cinematic works of the year.

7 September 2025 (the first Sunday in September)
Regata Storica
– This spectacularly colourful Venetian event, is a re-evocation of the welcome given to Caterina Cornaro, wife of the King of Cyprus, in 1489 after she renounced her throne in favour of Venice. There is a procession of 16th century style boats, dozens of multi-coloured and decorated craft with people in period costume and numerous races, all watched and cheered on by crowds of supporters lining the banks of the Grand Canal.

26 October 2025
Venice Marathon

21st of November
Festa della Salute
– One of the most moving and best loved of all Venetian events. Every year on the 21st of November, Venetians make a pilgrimage to the plague church of Santa Maria Della Salute (St. Mary of Health) to pray to the Virgin Mary and to light candles. Gondoliers visit bringing their oars to be blessed. A pontoon bridge is built across the Grand Canal from Santa Maria del Giglio to the Salute and the huge doors of the church are opened to the city and its visitors.