Venice, Italy — Events
La Vecia
Held during Lent on Lake Garda, where Gardone and Gargnano host festivals and an image of a woman is burnt on a bonfire, this event commemorates the ‘Hag Trials’ that were held in medieval times. There will be many traditional meals, souvenirs and sights to revel in; make a weekend of it and enjoy the water, sun and fun!
Biennale
The Biennale takes place in odd-numbered years, and is a Modern Art exposition featuring painters, sculptors, and performance artists from around the world. Most of the events are held in the Giardini Pubblici, or nearby at the Corderie dell’Arsenale. Tel. +39 041 521 8711.
La Sensa, Marriage to the Sea
Known as one of Venice’s oldest festivals, this annual ceremony reaffirms the ‘marriage’ of Venice and the Adriatic sea. The mayor arrives at the Lido by boat and drops a gold ring into the sea as a symbol of Venice’s eternal fidelity to Serenissima, ‘Queen of the Seas’. He then proceeds to the San Nicolo church to attend a service. Anybody who dives into the sea and retrieves the ring may keep it, and be exempt from all state taxes for a year.
Venice Film Festival
The Venice Film Festival (Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica di Venezia) is the oldest film festival in the world, and takes place at the end of August and beginning of September each year. Take a water bus to the Lido to enjoy the presentations, mingle with the stars and catch sneak previews of some of the top films of the forthcoming year! Book your accommodation and cinema tickets early. Tel. +39 041 521 8711.
International Festival of Contemporary Music
This music festival showcases some of the newest and most interesting commissioned works and premieres brought to the Venice Biennale. This part of the Venice Biennale is commited to the younger generations, and strives to bring up-and-coming musicians to the forefront of the music scene in Venice and Italy in general. Tel: +39 041 521 8898.
Carnival of Venice
Originating in the 12th Century, the Carnival of Venice is one of the world’s most famous festivals, and fills the whole city with musicians, acrobats, clowns, magicians, puppeteers, beautiful masks, elaborate costumes and parades. People come from around the world to participate in masked balls and general festivities in the ancient Venetian tradition, and to enjoy theatrical and dance performances, exhibitions and concerts along the canals, squares and the magnificent palaces of the city. The Carnival begins 14 days before Ash Wednesday and culminates in Mardi Gras on Shrove Tuesday.
Su e Zo per i Ponti
As the name suggests (su and zo mean ‘up’ and ‘down’), Suezo Peri Ponti is a marathon race around the streets of Venice, with the contestants running up and down the bridges of the historic city. This is a great event and the whole family can prepare for the thrill of watching runners try to navigate the complex bridge route! A commemorative medal is given to all runners who complete the marathon and there are a variety of routes for different age groups.
Festa del Redentore (Feast Day of the Redeemer)
One of Venice’s most important religious festivals, the Feast Day of The Redeemer (Il Redentore) is also one of the most traditional, dating back to 1576 in commemoration of the end of the plague that wiped out a third of the city’s population. The Church of the Redentore was built on Giudecca Island, and a promise was made by the Doge to lead a procession of thanksgiving every year to the church. At sunset the waterways are filled with hundreds of brightly lit and decorated boats, while the banks of the canal are lined with feasting and dancing.
Historical Regatta
Regattas have been held on the waterways of Venice since the 13th Century, and are still held throughout the year today. The most important of these is the Historical Regatta, held on the first Sunday in September. This is a regatta of distinction, attracting huge crowds of merry spectators to cheer on the various rowing races.
Barcolana
Barcolana is one of the largest sailing races in the world, and draws thousands of fans to watch 2,000 boats (both traditional and state-of-the-art) battle it out on the Mediterranean shores of beautiful Trieste. Tel. +39 349 881 0482.
