The Great Festivals of Venice and Veneto

The Great Festivals of Venice and Veneto: A Journey into the Cultural Excellence of One of Italy's Most Beautiful Regions

There are many things that make Veneto famous worldwide. The first is undoubtedly the city of Venice, but also Verona with its Arena, the stunning Dolomites with its jewel, Cortina, and other smaller and sometimes lesser-known treasures. In addition to its natural and artistic beauties, this region also offers a rich array of cultural events and festivals throughout the year, which are not only opportunities to connect more deeply with the cities that host them—such as traditional festivals or celebrations—but also to meet people from all over the world.

From grand art and cinema festivals to historical and religious celebrations, Venice and Veneto offer magnificent experiences that blend tradition, culture, and sometimes innovation.

Festa del Redentore, Venice, third Saturday of July 

Every year, on the third Saturday of July, Venice celebrates the Festa del Redentore, also known by Venetians as the “Notte famosissima.” This year, it will be on July 20th. The Festa del Redentore is one of the most heartfelt celebrations for Venetians, where religious and spectacular aspects coexist. The festival commemorates the end of the devastating plague that struck Venice between 1575 and 1577. On the night of the third Saturday in July, many Venetians take their boats out (once they would decorate them, though few do so now) to watch the fireworks show from the water. But those without boats can view the spectacle from the banks of the San Marco Basin. The highlight of the celebration is the votive bridge, once made of boats, linking Giudecca to the Zattere, allowing the faithful to reach the Church of the Redentore.

Regata Storica, Venice, first Sunday of September 

The Regata Storica takes place in Venice every year on the first Sunday of September (this year, September 7th). It is one of the most spectacular, traditional, and engaging events in the city's life, especially followed by Venetians who gather along the Grand Canal to cheer on the participants. The Regata Storica recreates the ancient Venetian rowing competitions. The historic procession precedes the races, reenacting the reception of Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, in 1489, who abdicated her throne in favor of Venice. The procession features dozens of 16th-century boats, colorful and with gondoliers in costume. The earliest historical records of the regatta date back to the mid-13th century and are linked to the Festa delle Marie, but it is likely that, in a city like Venice always connected to the sea, the regatta had older origins, created to train rowing crews.

Venice Biennale of Art and Architecture, May-November

Founded in 1895, the Venice Biennale is one of Italy's and the world's most prestigious cultural institutions. Alternating annually between the International Art Exhibition and the International Architecture Exhibition, the event welcomes artists, curators, and collectors from around the globe. The exhibitions take place at the Giardini, the Arsenale, and various other locations across the city, transforming Venice into an epicenter of experimentation and avant-garde art. In 2025, the focus will be on architecture, from Saturday, May 10th, to Sunday, November 23rd, 2025. The exhibition will be curated by architect and engineer Carlo Ratti, who commented: "To tackle a world in flames, architecture must harness all the intelligence that surrounds us." Koyo Kouoh has been appointed to curate the 61st International Art Exhibition in 2026.

Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica, Lido di Venezia, August-September

In September, the Lido di Venezia becomes an elegant setting for the Mostra del Cinema, the world’s oldest film festival and still one of the most important. Established in 1932, the event attracts major Hollywood stars and auteur filmmakers, hosting premieres and special screenings. During this week, Venice takes on an international, refined yet relaxed atmosphere. For festival-goers, the days alternate between screenings, beach swims, lagoon-side aperitifs, and parties. This year, it will take place from August 27th to September 6th. The heart of the festival is the Palazzo del Cinema and the Hotel Excelsior, where all the stars arriving in the city for the event are hosted.

Festa della Madonna della Salute, Venice, November 21st 

While the Festa del Redentore is characterized by its spectacle, the Festa della Madonna della Salute, held on November 21st, is a moment of deep devotion for Venetians. This celebration also has its roots in a plague, that of 1630, and involves the construction of a temporary bridge connecting the center of Venice to the Basilica della Salute (built as a votive offering to thank for the end of the epidemic), allowing the faithful to pay tribute to the Virgin with candles and prayers. On the day of the Festa della Salute, homes and restaurants in the city cook "castradina," an ancient dish made from salted and smoked mutton leg used to make a delicious soup with cabbage, onions, and wine.

Lago Film Festival, Revine (TV), July 

Moving to the province of Treviso, the Lago Film Festival is an international festival of independent cinema, short films, documentaries, and screenplays that come to life within the urban metabolism of daily life. Nine days of meetings, videos, workshops, artistic performances, music, and distinguished guests by the lake, among stone houses, create a unique experience suspended in time. The festival is focused on multimedia experimentation and site-specific artistic performances. Every summer, the picturesque village of Revine Lago hosts open-air screenings of auteur films, short films, and documentaries. It offers an intimate and immersive experience, perfect for those wishing to discover new voices in international cinema in a unique landscape setting.

Arena Opera Festival, Verona, June-September

Finally, it is impossible not to mention the Arena Opera Festival in Verona, one of the most famous opera events in the world. The Roman amphitheater, with its extraordinary acoustics, hosts grand performances every summer that enchant opera lovers and novices alike. From classic productions of Verdi and Puccini to innovative stagings, the festival offers a unique experience for those who love great music. This year, the 102nd Arena di Verona Opera Festival will open with Nabucco, Giuseppe Verdi’s first masterpiece, on June 13th, in a new production by Stefano Poda. The festival was born in 1913 on the occasion of the centenary of Giuseppe Verdi's birth, thanks to the initiative of Verona tenor Giovanni Zenatello, who decided to organize a grand event at the Arena, staging one of Verdi’s most spectacular operas, Aida.