VENICE EVENTS 2026

[APRIL 12] – SU E ZO PER I PONTI: The solidarity walk returns to Venice, involving young and old, families, schools, and sports groups to discover the city in friendship. The 46th edition of “Su e zo per i ponti” returns on April 12 with the title “Ignite the Passion.” The “Up and Down the Bridges of Venice” is a true day of celebration: the numerous folk groups that traditionally perform in St. Mark’s Square and in the squares along the route bring a joyful display of sounds and colors to the city that remains etched in the memories of participants.

 

[9 MAY – 22 NOVEMBER] – ART BIENNALE: The 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale – In Minor Keys by Koyo Kouoh – will take place from Saturday, May 9 to Sunday, November 22, 2026 (pre-opening May 6, 7, 8) in the institutional venues of the Giardini, the Arsenale, and various other venues throughout Venice. With the full support of the family of Koyo Kouoh, who passed away on May 10, 2025, La Biennale di Venezia has decided to stage her Exhibition. It will do so according to the project conceived and defined by her, also to preserve, enhance, and disseminate her ideas and work as widely as possible.

 

[MAY 17] – FESTA DELLA SENSA: The event that celebrates the ancient bond between Venice and the sea.
Among the traditional Venetian events, the Festa della Sensa stands out. More than any other event, it brings to life the thousand-year history of the Serenissima, its intimate relationship with the sea, and the practice of Venetian rowing. On Sunday, May 17, 2026, Venice renews its marriage to the sea. This year, Palermo will receive the Doge’s ring of “Twinning,” which will be returned by the city of Tirana, to which it was entrusted in the last edition in 2024. Palermo and Venice have been linked by water since their founding. Navigators have touched their lands, bringing with them distant traditions and stories.

 

[MAY 24] – VOGALONGA: A 30-kilometer itinerary through the lagoon, its islets, and the magnificent Grand Canal. The Vogalonga is an act of love for Venice and the waters surrounding it, for its lagoon and its islands, for rowing and its boats, and it has maintained the purpose for which it was created: to spread awareness and respect for the nature and culture of our city. A 30-kilometer itinerary through the lagoon, its islands, and the magnificent Grand Canal: a non-competitive journey that celebrates the beauty and tradition of Venice. The event follows a defined route that passes iconic landmarks such as St. Mark’s Basin, the Murano canals, and the Rio di Cannaregio, culminating with the finish line in the Grand Canal, near the Rialto Bridge, and ending at Punta della Salute.

 

[JULY 17 – AUGUST 1] – BIENNALE DANZA: The 20th International Festival of Contemporary Dance will take place from July 17 to August 1, 2026, directed by Wayne McGregor. The program features numerous daily events with international soloists and companies, as well as the Biennale College Danza program, dedicated to educational and training projects, which will become an integral part of the Festival program.

 

[MAY 27 – MAY 31] – SALONE NAUTICO: After the fifth edition in 2024, Venice once again hosts one of the main international boat show events. The exhibition venue is once again the Venice Arsenal, a symbol of the centuries-old military rule of the Serenissima Republic and the beating heart of its naval industry. An incomparable historical setting right in the center of Venice, composed of a water basin and fully restored ancient pavilions. An event that explores every aspect of sailing and boatbuilding: design, engines, and the environment. Special emphasis is placed on design and innovation, electric, hybrid, and hydrogen propulsion, and the lagoon’s traditional shipbuilding, the pride of the amphibious city.

 

[7 JUNE – 21 JUNE] – BIENNALE TEATRO: The 54th International Theatre Festival will take place from 7 to 21 June 2026, directed by Willem Dafoe. The program features performances and events with the most important figures on the contemporary theatre scene, in addition to productions created as part of Biennale College Teatro, the training project dedicated to young artists. Willem Dafoe began his artistic journey at 19 with Theatre X (1975-1977), one of the first experimental groups in the US. In Europe, where he was in 1976, he performed at the legendary Mickery Theatre in Amsterdam, a hub of the international alternative scene.

 

[JULY 18] – FESTA DEL REDENTORE: The Festa del Redentore is one of the most heartfelt celebrations for Venetians, combining religious and spectacular aspects. On Saturday night, the fireworks display attracts thousands of visitors: plays of light and reflections on the inimitable stage of St. Mark’s Basin create a kaleidoscope of colors that stands out behind the spires, domes, and bell towers of the city. It is an opportunity to commemorate the end of the terrible plague epidemic that struck Venice between 1575 and 1577. The Redentore, the “famous” night as Venetians colloquially call it, is an integral part of the customs of the lagoon city’s inhabitants, who continue to renew, even today, the gastronomic traditions, folklore, and celebrations passed down from their ancestors, which have made this “very Venetian” festival internationally renowned over the years and one of the city’s greatest tourist attractions.

 

[SEPTEMBER 1 – SEPTEMBER 30] – HOMO FABER: The fourth edition of Homo Faber 2026, an international exhibition dedicated to fine craftsmanship, will take place from September 1 to 30, 2026, at the Giorgio Cini Foundation on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. The central theme, “An Island of Light,” invites us to explore the intricate relationship between light, materials, and craftsmanship. The event, curated by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, will be artistically directed by renowned English artist and designer Es Devlin.

 

[SEPTEMBER 2 – SEPTEMBER 12] – BIENNALE CINEMA: The 83rd Venice International Film Festival is organized by the Venice Biennale and directed by Alberto Barbera; it will take place on the Venice Lido from September 2 to 12, 2026. The Festival is officially recognized by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations). The Festival aims to promote the dissemination of international cinema in all its forms as art, entertainment, and industry, in a spirit of freedom and dialogue. A section is dedicated to promoting the restoration of classic films to contribute to a better understanding of the history of cinema.

 

[6 SEPTEMBER] – REGATTA STORICA: The regatta has always attracted locals and visitors. The first historical records date back to the mid-13th century and are linked to the Festa delle Marie, but it’s likely that, in a city like Venice that has always been focused on the sea, the regatta had even more ancient origins, dictated by the need to train crews in rowing. The first visual image is much later: a group of small boats with the word “regata” written on them can be seen in Jacopo de Barbari’s 16th-century map of Venice. From then on, the regatta was a favorite theme for landscape painters to depict a celebratory Venice. The etymology of the word regata is uncertain, but it likely derives from the term aurigare (to compete), used and documented in the 16th century as a synonym for race. From Venice, the term passed into the main European languages, always indicating a competitive boat race.

 

[12 SEPTEMBER – 20 SEPTEMBER] – VENICE GLASS WEEK: The Organizing Committee of The Venice Glass Week has officially announced the dates of the tenth edition of the festival dedicated to artistic glass, which will be held from September 12 to 20, 2026. The Venice Glass Week is promoted by the City of Venice and organized by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, LE STANZE DEL VETRO – Fondazione Giorgio Cini, the Veneto Institute of Sciences, Letters and Arts, and the Consorzio Promovetro Murano.

 

[OCTOBER 1 – OCTOBER 4] – SALONE DELL’ALTO CRAFTSMANSHIP: The best of Made in Italy know-how in Venice from Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026. The Salone dell’Alto Italiano Artigianato returns to Venice from Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026, a unique event celebrating Italian art and craftsmanship in the heart of the lagoon, the cradle of ancient crafts and know-how handed down over the centuries. Discover the best of Italian craftsmanship in a variety of fields, from ceramics to fine fabrics, from blown glass to precious stones, from jewelry to furniture! What was once the beating heart of the Venetian Republic’s naval art and seafaring tradition has become a privileged showcase for admiring and purchasing a selection of the highest quality and original designs. It’s also an opportunity to meet the artisans, learn about their history, and discover the creative process behind each individual object.

 

[OCTOBER 10 – OCTOBER 24] – BIENNALE MUSICA: Second edition directed by Caterina Barbieri, after the 2025 debut with La stella dentro, an edition that explored the world of cosmic music with a rich lineup that includes renowned artists such as Actress & Suzanne Ciani, William Basinski, Meredith Monk (Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement), and Chuquimamani-Condori (Silver Lion), exploring sound between electronics, minimalism, ancient and contemporary music, with performances by Aleksi Perälä, Lucy Railton, Ellen Arkbro, FUJIIIIIIIIIIIIITA, and special projects by Fontanamix Ensemble and Resonant Vessell.

 

[OCTOBER 9 – OCTOBER 18] – VENICE DESIGN WEEK: The widespread event dedicated to design, in Venice from October 9 to 18, 2026. Venice Design Week is an international event dedicated to design in all its forms, transforming Venice into a creative laboratory spread across historic spaces, galleries, museums, ateliers, and unique locations throughout the city. Founded in 2010 and organized by the Associazione Culturale Arte e Design Venezia, the festival promotes encounters between the public, designers, businesses, and cultural institutions through dialogue, exhibitions, installations, and workshops.

 

[OCTOBER 18] – VELEZIANA: The sailing company’s classic regatta returns on October 18, 2026. This year, the event celebrates its nineteenth edition. The course unfolds in the open sea, starting in the waters off the Venice Lido and concluding with the traditional finish in St. Mark’s Basin under full sail. It’s not just a festival, but a regatta that requires specific strategies due to the significant environmental and nautical differences, including the transition from the sea to the lagoon with its unique characteristics.

 

[OCTOBER 25] – VENICEMARATHON: The race follows a unique route: starting in front of Villa Pisani, the Brenta Riviera, and Venice, passing over the Ponte di Poche, Piazza San Marco, the Campanile, and the Doge’s Palace. The Venicemarathon is a race that continues to fascinate both athletes and spectators today. The 42K, an international race over the Olympic distance of 42.195 km, is the most classic and fascinating discipline in athletics; A marathon recognized globally by the IAAF and certified Bronze Label. The 21K, added to the program for the first time in 2022, starts in Mestre city center and finishes at the Arsenale. The 10K is the most evocative ten-kilometer race in the world, the final ten kilometers of the Venice Marathon. The race allows everyone to experience the charm of Venice, starting from San Giuliano Park. The Family Runs, non-competitive races organized in various locations throughout the province, bring together young people, families, and anyone who wants to spend a day dedicated to health and fun, engaging participants in the marathon atmosphere.

 

Source: VeneziaUnica official website

More information: The Great Events of the City of Venice