Venice Events

Venice Carnival is steeped in history, charm and tradition: its inhabitants and tourists alike have taken a keen interest in it, thanks to its mix of transgression, art, history and culture in one of the most unique cities in the world.

During the ten days of Carnival leading up to Mardi Gras, Venice is a hive of activity and entertainment, from improvised street entertainment to performances put on by the organisers.

Saint Mark’s Square remains the heart of Carnival, with its huge stage, although other events take place throughout the city, helping to avoid an excessive build-up of people in pedestrianised Venice.

The Venice Biennale is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years (in odd years) in Venice, Italy.

The Venice Biennale has for over a century been one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. Ever since its foundation in 1895, it has been in the avant-garde, promoting new artistic trends and organising international events in the contemporary arts in accordance with a multi-disciplinary model which characterises its unique nature.

After World War I, the Biennale showed increasing interest in innovative traditions in modern art. Between the two World Wars, many important modern artists had their work exhibited there.

The formal Biennale is based at a park the Giardini that houses 30 permanent national pavilions.

The 63rd edition of the Venice Film Festival will take place from August 30 to September 9, 2006. It will be articulated according to the estabilished outline: the Venezia 63 section will present the films competing for the Golden Lion, some of the most important works of the year will be shown Out of Competition, while Orizzonti will provide a picture of new trends in cinema.

The international short film competition Corto Cortissimo is also confirmed. David Lynch will be awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 63rd Venice Film Festival.

The award will be presented to the director on Sept. 6 on the occasion of the screening of INLAND EMPIRE.

Even now the Regata Storica is one of the most spectacular, picturesque and moving events of Venetian life, capable of both charming the tourists and exciting the locals. As the multi-coloured boats speed past thousands of spectators, crowded along the banks, or in the floating stands, or even better in one of the boats moored along the Canal, an incessant babble acts as the soundtrack to the competition. Many different competitions take place within the Regata Storica: the champions regatta in "gondolini", the regatta in "caorline", the women's regatta in "mascarete", the young rowers' regatta in "pupparini".

The Redentore is one of the Venetians’ most treasured festivities, and is a tourist attraction thanks to the spectacular firework display in the evening. It falls on the third Sunday in July, when Holy Mass is held in the presence of the Patriarch, followed by a religious procession.

But the special moment of the festivity takes place on Saturday night: with the unbeatable backdrop of Saint Mark’s Basin, a play of lights and reflections produce a kaleidoscope of colours with the silhouetted spires, domes and bell towers of the city behind.

This event originated 29 years ago with the aim of making Venetians aware of the problem of swell created by engine-powered boats, thanks to the initiative of a group of Venetians who were lovers of rowing and of the traditions of the "Serenissima". Since then the number of participants, especially from abroad, has continued to grow, with entries totalling up to 1500 boats.

In the morning a large number of boats of every type and shape gather in St. Mark's Basin opposite the Doge's Palace to await the start; they then set off on a roughly 30 kilometre long course that winds its way among the lagoon islands before returning to Venice along the Rio di Cannaregio to finish at the Punta della Dogana.

The Venicemarathon, now in its 18th year, has earned a place among the most important events of the city. It is a sports event of international standing, attracting over 6,000 runners from all over the world every year. The marathon is held over the official Olympic distance of 42,195 kilometers (26,224 miles). The course is flat and basically downhill. It starts from Stra and runs along the River Brenta, passing in front of the magnificent Palladian Villas of the area. The runners arrive in Venice via the Liberty Bridge, which links the mainland to the city. After crossing a floating bridge 400 feet long over the Grand Canal which leads to St. Mark's Square, runners reach the Riva dei Sette Martiri in the picturesque waterfront of Venice where the finish line is located.