Venice is a city with centuries of history and traditions that are still kept alive today through events of various kinds. Ancient dances, masked parades, epic naval competitions are just some of the wonderful spectacles you can experience and relive the glorious past of the Serenissima.
Venice is also a scene of events of great scope and importance, which every year attract millions of tourists from all over the world to its calli. If you feel like visiting Venice and participating in one of these events at the same time, this article is just for you.
The most important events in Venice in 2023
Below you will find a list of the most important events in Venice in 2023.
January 2023: Most important events in Venice
- January 1, 2023 – Capodanno – New Year’s Day (Italian national holiday): Solemn church service at St. Mark’s Cathedral at 10:30.
- January 5. 2023 – Brusa la Vecia / Piroea paroea.
- January 6, 2023 – Epifania / Befana – Epiphany (Italian National Holiday): Solemn Mass in St. Mark’s Basilica at 10:00.
- January 14, 2023 – Feast of St. Peter Orseolo. Exposition of the relics in St. Mark’s Basilica.
- 31 January 2023 – Feast of the Translatio: the transfer of the body of St. Mark to Venice.
Brusa la Vecia / Piroea paroea
Brusa la Vecia or Piroea Paroea are the names of the celebrations on the eve of Epiphany, during which bonfires are lit in many Venetian towns as well as in the lagoon, representing a good omen. The fire is read by a “vate” who makes a prediction based on the direction of the sparks that emanate from the fire.
February 2023: Most important Events in Venice
February in Venice is in the name of Carnival. Its origins go back almost 1,000 years, and over the years it has taken on different aspects and meanings. Today, the festival is closely linked to the production of Venetian masks, a craft typical of the lagoon city, as well as masquerade parties and balls, where guests from all over the world immerse themselves in an ancient atmosphere of immortal charm.
- February 4, 2023: Festa Veneziana sull’acqua – 1st day
- February 5, 2023: Festa Veneziana sull’acqua – 2nd day
- February 11, 2023: La Festa delle Marie – The Feast of the Virgin Mary
- February 12, 2023: Il Volo dell’Angelo – The Flight of the Angels
- February 19, 2023: Il Volo del’Aquila (12 noon) and the finale of the disguise contest
- February 20, 2023: Children’s contest
- February 21, 2023: Award ceremony for the most beautiful Maria (4 pm) and “Svolo del Leon”
Venice Carnival
The Carnevale di Venezia, also known as the Carnival of Venice or Venice Carnival, is a centuries-old festival that takes place every year in Venice, Italy. The carnival usually begins two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. It is famous for its elaborate costumes, masks and celebrations that attract visitors from all over the world.
The origins of Carnival in Venice date back to the Middle Ages, when the city was an important trade and craft center. At that time, people from all over Europe traveled to Venice to participate in Carnival, which was a time of celebration and fun before Lent.
Today, the Venice Carnival is a major tourist attraction and an important cultural event in the city. The festivities include street performances, music and dancing, but the most famous aspect of Carnival is the masks and costumes. The masks are ornate and colorful, and many are handmade by skilled artisans. Equally impressive are the costumes, with their intricate patterns and fabrics that reflect the city’s historical and cultural influences.
Zum diesjährigen Karneval geht es hier lang:
March 2023: Most important Events in Venice
- March 1, 2023 – Beginning of the new year of the Republic; “anno ab Incarnatione” or “More veneto”.
- March 25, 2023 – Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, feast of the foundation of the city of Venice.
April 2023: Most important Events in Venice
- April 2, 2023 – Palm Sunday, procession in St. Mark’s Basilica. Visit to the churches of La Pietà and San Sepolcro. And the origin of the doves in St. Mark’s Square.
- April 3, 2023 – Feast of Santa Maria della Carità, visit to the Doge in the church of Santa Maria della Carità, from 1177.
- 9 and 10 April 2023 – Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (national holidays in Italy).
- April 25, 2023 – Feast of Dies natalis (Martyrdom of the Saint) of Saint Mark (“festa del bocolo”), as well as Italian holiday (“Liberation Day”).
What can you do in Venice in April?
May 2023: Most important Events in Venice
- May 1, 2023 – Labor Day (national holiday)
- May 14, 2023 (expected) – Purple Artichoke Festival in Sant’Erasmo.
- May 20, 2023: Start of the International Architecture Exhibition
- May 21 – Sensa and Benedictio (Blessing) and Desponsatio (Marriage) of the Sea Day Festival, Doge’s trip to the Church of San Nicolò del Lido.
- 28 May 2023 – Vogalonga. The biggest rowing event in the world.
What can you do in Venice in May?
Purple artichoke feast
The Festival of the Purple Artichoke in Venice, or more precisely: on the island of Sant’Erasmo in the venetian lagoon, is an event dedicated, as the name suggests, to the purple artichoke, with all the products, recipes and customs associated with this product.
Feast of the Sensa (Ascension)
The Festa della Sensa in Venice, which dates back to the Ascension Day celebrations, is one of the events that every year allow tourists and visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Serenissima. The festival is accompanied every year by various rowing competitions in Venetian style (Voga alla veneta) and by partnerships with other coastal cities, the so-called Adriatic partnerships.
More about the Festa della Sensa and its history:
Architecture Biennale
The International Architecture Exhibition, also known as the Venice Architecture Biennale, is a showcase for contemporary architecture and design from around the world. It features installations, exhibitions and pavilions by architects, designers and urban planners from different countries.
The Architettura 2023 Biennale will run from Saturday, May 20, 2023, to Sunday, November 26, 2023. Pre-opening on May 18 and 19.
More info here: Official website of the Venice Architecture Biennale
Vogalonga
The Vogalonga is a regatta that takes place every year in May in Venice. It is a non-competitive event between rowing boats in which teams of rowers from all over Venice and beyond participate and which over the years has become a real international event for lovers of this discipline who can row on the canals of Venice and its wonders.
More about the Vogalonga in Venice and its history:
June 2023: Most important Events in Venice
- June 2, 2023 – Festa della Repubblica (National Day) commemorating the founding of the Italian Republic.
- June 8, 2023- Feast of Corpus Christi. Procession in St. Mark’s Square.
- June 13, 2023: Feast of St. Anthony. Mass in the Basilica della Salute to commemorate the death of St. Anthony.
- June 15, 2023 – Start of the 51st International Theater Festival (“Theater Biennale”).
- 27 June 2023 – Start of the Venezia Jazz Festival
- End of June – Sagra di San Pietro di Castello
Feast of Saint Anthony
In 1651, the Serenissima made a vow to St. Anthony to ask for an end to hostilities on the island of Crete, then Venetian Candia, which had suffered for years under a long Ottoman siege.
The feast of St. Anthony consists of a week of events culminating in the most important one: the commemoration of the saint’s death.
On these days you can enjoy live music from local groups (from typical Venetian songs to Venetian salsa!) or participate in dance competitions. During the Feast of St. Anthony you can taste typical Venetian dishes such as “bigoi in salsa“, “pasta con i peoci“, “bovoleti“, “baccalà” and a wide selection of Venetian sweets.
On June 13 at 7:30 pm, don’t miss the solemn procession in which the statue of St. Anthony is carried out of the church and around Campo San Francesco, as well as the Holy Mass in the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, which houses the relic.
Theater Biennale
The 51st International Theater Festival will take place from June 15, 2023 to July 1, 2023. The program includes daily events with the most important protagonists of the contemporary theater scene, as well as the productions created as part of the Biennale College Teatro, the training project for young artists.
More info here: Official website of the Venice Theatre Biennale
Sagra di San Pietro di Castello
The feast of San Pietro di Castello or San Piero de Casteo – as in the Venetian dialect double consonants are silent – began as a religious festival for Saints Peter and Paul, venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica, until 1807 the seat of the Patriarch of Venice.
It is a great celebration of Venetian culture, expressed through the many initiatives that accompany the actual feast, including a village festival, musical performances and games for children and adults.
July 2023: Most important Events in Venice
- 27 June 2023 – Venezia Jazz Festival
- July 2023 – Festa del Redentore – Feast of the Redeemer in Venice
- July 2023 – Feast of the Madonna di Marina (Lido di Venezia)
Venezia Jazz Festival 2023
New edition of the Venezia Jazz Festival from June 27 to July 11. The focus is on two incredible evenings at Teatro La Fenice on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the ECM label on July 7, 2023 and the comeback of Dee Dee Bridgewater with her tribute to France and Josephine Baker.
On the occasion of the “50th anniversary of ECM”, three artists representative of the history of the jazz and contemporary music label founded in 1969 by Manfred Eicher will perform in a unique night:
- the Tunisian oud master Anouar Brahem,
- the versatile multi-instrumentalist Egberto Gismonti,
- the restless Enrico Rava.
Advance ticket sales will take place on ticketone. ticketone.
Festa del Redentore
The Feast of Christ the King – or the Feast of the Redeemer – is celebrated every year on the third weekend of July and coincides with the traditional patronal feast, which takes place in the Church of Christ the King in the square in front of the church and is accompanied by other events such as a solidarity market, concerts, dances, an exhibition and the inevitable preparation of traditional dishes.
Festa della Madonna di Marina
Every year in July the Festa della Madonna di Marina is celebrated on the Lido di Venezia. Its origins date back to the 14th century when, according to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to an Ortolan from Malamocchino who was gathering wood on the beach.
The celebrations last a whole week, during which, in addition to the religious procession, there are concerts and dances, local craft markets and the inevitable food stalls where you can eat the traditional pasta alla Malamocchina. The festivities end on Sunday with rowing races on the Caorline and the Mascarete, a charity raffle and fireworks in front of the lagoon.
August 2023: Most important Events in Venice
- August 15, 2023 – Assumption of the Virgin Mary (national holiday).
- August 16, 2023 – San Rocco: feast for the end of the plague of 1576/1577.
- 14 – 20 August 2023 – Feast of Santo Stefano di Portosecco in Pellestrina.
- August 30, 2023 – Start of the Venice International Film Festival.
Feast of the Assumption in Torcello
The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated in Torcello on August 15. The Virgin Mary is honored with religious celebrations in the church and the basilica of the island, cultural and literary meetings and an atmospheric concert of sacred music.
San Rocco
The feast of St. Roch (“San Rocco” in Italian) is celebrated on August 16 and is popular among Venetians because of the special protection the saint gave to the sick during the plague.
The festivities include a Holy Mass in the church of the same name and the awarding of the San Rocco Prize to individuals who have distinguished themselves through humanitarian achievements. The day will conclude with a concert of classical music at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, which will be open to the public that day with free admission and a symbolic solidarity contribution of 1 euro.
Sagra di Santo Stefano di Portosecco di Pellestrina
The Sagra di Santo Stefano di Portosecco in Pellestrina is one of the most famous and beautiful festivals in the province of Venice. During the week of Ferragosto – the week of August 15 – there are various events and activities for adults and children, including sports competitions such as regattas and basketball tournaments, dance and music evenings and performances for children. The last day of the festival ends with the drawing of the raffle associated with the festival and a colorful fireworks display.
Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia 2023
The Venice International Film Festival is held every year at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido. Starting at the end of August, films and documentaries are screened for a fortnight to open the film season and give a clear indication of which films will make it straight to Oscar night.
The Cinema 2023 Biennale takes place from August 30, 2023 to September 9, 2023.
Official website of the Venice Cinema Biennale
September 2023: Most important Events in Venice
Regata Storica
The Regata Storica is an ancient event that brings the historic boats of Venice’s glorious past to the Grand Canal every year on the first Sunday in September, including passionate races and historical re-enactments. It begins with the historical parade, a re-enactment of the triumphant welcome reserved for Caterina Corner in 1489, and ends with the race involving the best of Venetian rowing.
Venice Glass Week 2023
Venice Glass Week is the international festival launched in 2017 that the city of Venice dedicates to the art of glassmaking, an artistic and economic activity for which the lagoon city has been known worldwide for over 1,000 years.
For more information, visit the event’s official website..
October 2023: Most important Events in Venice
- October 1, 2023 – Feast of the Must of Sant’Erasmo
- October 16, 2023 – Biennale Musica
- 22 October 2023 – Venice Marathon
Feast of the must of Sant’Erasmo
On the first Sunday of October, the island of Sant’Erasmo celebrates the Festa del Mosto, the leftover product of the September grape harvest. This eventful day begins with a mass and the blessing of the festively dressed farm wagons and ends with regattas and a musical performance.
On this occasion, the streets are filled with markets, shows and street performers, as well as demonstrations of grape pressing. It is possible to buy typical island products, such as the famous purple artichoke of Sant’Erasmo.
Biennale Musica 2023
The 67th International Festival of Contemporary Music will run from October 16 to October 29, 2023, with daily events on the program focusing on new forms of composition with computers and algorithms, experimental performances, and generative music.
Official website of the Venice Music Biennale
Venice Marathon
Venice Marathon is a special running event that takes place every year in the city on the last Sunday of October. The marathon starts in Stra and goes to Venice for a total of 42 km over bridges, Fondamenta and Campielli. More info on the official website.
November 2023: Most important Events in Venice
- November 1, 2023 – Ognissanti (National Day). All Saints’ Day
- November 2, 2023 – Feast of the Dead
- November 11, 2023 – Feast of St. Martin.
- November 21, 2023 – Feast of the Madonna della Salute. Reinactment of the visit of the Doge to the Basilica della Salute.
All Saints Day and the Feast of the Dead
Every year Venice celebrates numerous autumn festivals that mark the transition from late summer to late autumn: the final regattas of the rowing station, the Festa del Mosto di Sant’Erasmo and the Festa della Salute in Venice.
November is also the time for another religious festival that Venetians love: All Saints’ Day and the commemoration of the dead or Day of the Dead.
On November 1, the Catholic Church celebrates All Saints’ Day with a feast of commandments, meaning all the faithful attend Holy Mass. Since there are many churches in Venice, numerous Masses are celebrated in the 125 existing parishes – at different times as communicated to the diocese by the nine vicariates in Venice, on the islands and on the mainland.
The following day, November 2, Venetians go to San Michele Cemetery, where at 10 a.m. Holy Mass is celebrated with the city’s representatives and brotherhoods.
The feast of All Saints, Latin Sollemnitas Omnium Sanctorum, was very important in the past and was the third most important feast for Catholics, after Christmas and Easter.
It is a feast that has existed since at least the 4th century AD, when the martyrs of the Church were already commemorated. At that time it seems to have coincided with Pentecost, while today’s feast day was established by Pope Gregory III (731-741) as the anniversary of the dedication of a chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica for the relics of “the holy apostles and all the saints, martyrs and confessors, and all the accomplished righteous who rest in peace throughout the world.”
Feast of St. Martin
In Venice, on November 11, the feast of Saint Martin (“San Martino“) is celebrated, an ancient and joyful tradition that is very popular among the city’s children. During the day, the little Venetians, their heads decorated with cardboard crowns, parade through the calli and campielli playing and singing with pots and lids, looking for sweets and coins. The culinary tradition includes the preparation of “San Martini”, a shortbread pastry in the shape of the saint on horseback, decorated with chocolate and colored sugared almonds.
The story goes that on a distant November 11, a rainy and cold day, Martin was galloping on his horse with a warm coat. Suddenly he met an old man on the road, wrapped in a few rags, staggering and freezing. The future saint wanted to help him, but since he had neither money nor blankets to offer him, he took his coat, cut it in half with his sword and gave part of it to the poor man. Shortly after, as Martin galloped merrily around after this charitable gesture, the weather warmed up and a bright sun emerged from the clouds: since then, the beautiful days of that time have been called St. Martin’s Summer!
In earlier times, Venetians celebrated the saint with a long procession that ended in front of the church of San Martino in the Castello district. From this procession has remained the tradition of children parading through the streets with pots and bells, stopping in front of stores to ask for a gift.
The typical sweets of this feast are large shortbread cookies decorated with candies and chocolates and representing the image of the saint on horseback with sword and cloak.
Festa della Madonna della Salute
On November 21, Venetians celebrate the Madonna della Salute in thanksgiving for saving the city from the plague in the 17th century. From the church of Madonna del Giglio to the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, a boat bridge is built over the Grand Canal so that the faithful can make a pilgrimage to the basilica and light their candle.
The culinary tradition is to eat “castradina“, a meat and vegetable dish, on the feast day.
December 2023: Most important Events in Venice
- December 6, 2023 – Feast of San Nicolò in Murano.
- December 8, 2023 – Immacolata Concezione (National Holiday). Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- December 13, 2023 – Feast of St. Lucia
- December 25, 2023 – Christmas (National Holiday).
- December 26, 2023 – 2nd Christmas Day (National Holiday)
San Nicolò in Murano
On December 6, the island of Murano celebrates the feast of San Nicolò, the Venetian version of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of glassmakers and sailors.
On this day it is customary to exchange gifts, in memory of the legend according to which the saint gave a bag of gold coins to three poor girls to provide them with the dowry necessary for marriage. The festival is marked by religious celebrations and markets with glass objects made by the island’s master glassmakers.
If you enjoy Murano, don’t miss it. this is one of the most important events of the island!
Feast of St. Lucia
The feast of Saint Lucia is also celebrated in many other Italian cities. But for Venice this saint is particularly important. On December 13, Venice honors her, because various sources between history and myth tell us that her body arrived in the lagoon city, where her remains still rest.
Have you ever wondered about the name of the Venetian train station? It’s actually called Santa Lucia, a place that once housed the Church of Santa Lucia, which held his remains before it was converted into a railroad hub after the church was demolished.
The remains were then moved to the magnificent church of San Geremia above the Grand Canal, where they can still be found today and where you can take part in the religious celebrations of the feast day.
You can learn more about the train station Venezia Santa Lucia here.